Preakness (G1) Day Selections
May 19th, 2012
By Jude T. Feld
1st Race) PRINCE NOIR was claimed by sharp trainer Kieron Magee from his last start. He wins with 47% of his recent acquisitions. DISCO DANDY is a “horse for course,†winning four out of five starts on the Pimlico sod. He’s tough to leave off your ticket. ALSTON GUNTER has been running well of late and loves these turf sprints.
2nd Race) BAILEYS BEACH runs against the easiest field he has faced in a long time. He had a nice sprint prep for this race and should come out firing. ALBRECHT has been knocking on the door. A repeat of his last race puts him right there.
3rd Race) SMART STING prepped in an allowance race at Keeneland and should be set for a top effort in Gallorette (G3). LAUGHING comes off a big win at Aqueduct and could be this good. ZAGORA is the high weight and will be the favorite. Her Jenny Wiley (G1) run was disappointing but her Hillsborough (G3) victory the race before would win this if repeated.
4th Race) PAYNTER finds an easy allowance field after solid starts in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and the Derby Trial (G3) at Churchill Downs. He will be hammered in the wagering but impossible to pick against. BRIMSTONE ISLAND has done well in listed stakes since being claimed for $16,000. He might complete the exacta.
5th Race) CORUNDUM seems to have found new life on the turf. He seems reliable for a good try. CONCRETE CAT is lightly raced and beat the top pick when breaking his maiden last time out. ISSUES AND ANSWERS drops back in distance and should be closing late at a decent price.
6th Race) INNOCENT MAN has California speed and should take this field wire-to-wire. LAURIE’S ROCKET is a talented sprinter and has the perfect pressing style if a pace duel develops. IL VILLANO will have to chase fast early fractions but he has a touch of class and could get a piece of the pie.
7th Race) HAPPY CHOICE stands out in this field. Now in the Graham Motion stable, the daughter of Broken Vow has been training well at Fair Hill and should show her best stuff this afternoon.
8th Race) BANDBOX hails from a stable that does well with fresh runners. He won a New York-bred stakes at two and has been gingerly handled since. This is not a tough spot for his return and it is significant that he draws the services of Pimlico’s leading rider, Abel Castellano. IMMORTAL EYES has banked almost a half-million dollars in his career. He likes to win races and has run well at Pimlico in the past. ACTION ANDY is capable of big races on occasion. He has been training well for the Maryland Sprint Handicap. WILDCAT BRIEF exits the troubled Decathlon Stakes on Monmouth’s opening day. His best race could be good enough.
9th Race) HAMMERS TERROR has been facing tough company and running competitively throughout his six-race career. Jockey Corey Nakatani takes him over recent allowance winner SKYRING, who owns the best last-race Beyer speed figure. ACHILLES is well-bred, talented and undefeated. Seeing him posing for pictures would not be a shocker. EASY CROSSING broke his maiden versus a solid field at Gulfstream Park. He could be tough with a slight move forward once again. MR. HANDSOME makes his turf debut after a decent bunch of races on dirt. With his grass pedigree, he cannot be ignored.
10th Race) AWESOMEMUNDO is the kind of filly Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert ships with success. She crushed an allowance field in her last start, earning a 93 Beyer speed figure. She has trained very well since and should come out firing today. CATCH A THIEF has learned to rate and that could serve her well in this speed-laden lineup. Jockey Julien Leparoux will be patient with her. PINCH PIE hails from the barn of talented trainer Tony Dutrow. She would really benefit from a pace meltdown.
11th Race) In a race with little pace, STRAIGHT STORY usually excels. With only HUDSON STEELE to press him early, if at all, the son of Giant’s Causeway will be tough to run down. AIR SUPPORT no doubt needed his last start after a long rest. He has picked up the pace in his workouts and should be ready to roll in the Dixie (G2). FORTE DEI MARMI has made steady improvement since coming stateside. He looks like a major contender for the top prize. CASINO HOST is perfect in 2012 and should be in the mix if jockey John Velazquez can work out a trip from the outside post. HUMBLE AND HUNGRY has been training well at his Sagamore Farm home and is a great exotics tool in this spot.
12th Race) Kentucky Derby winner I’LL HAVE ANOTHER has looked sensational in the mornings at Pimlico. He could be on his way to a Triple Crown bid. WENT THE DAY WELL had a horrible trip in the Derby and could redeem himself in the Preakness (G1). BODEMEISTER will make the lead but with two hard races in- a-row and a short price, he is tough to back with confidence. TIGER WALK has been training well in blinkers and could be part of the superfecta and super high five.
13th Race) SPINNAKER BAY has run two good races on the dirt and now switches to the turf. The son of Mizzen Mast should adore the lawn and all he needs is a decent trip to get the candy. SARBANES best two races have been on the grass. He could make it a grey horse exacta.
