Bets and Horse Selections for Preakness Stakes and Pimlico Races on May 17 by Mike Somich
Howdy! Preakness Day Is Here. 🏇UALRIGHT, IT'S THAT time again, folks! The Preakness, the second jewel of the Triple Crown, is going down at Pimlico Race Course. While the Preakness is the main event, there's plenty of other action to sink your teeth into throughout the day. Let's break it down, shall we?
The Preakness, Pimlico, Race #13🏇
Ready for some speed? Expect a fast pace in this year's Preakness with horses going gung-ho from the inside, like #1 Goal Oriented and #8 Clever Again. This sets up perfectly for #2 Journalism, who's currently at 8/5 odds. Sure, the quick turnaround from the Derby might be a concern, but let's not forget Journalism ran three races in seven weeks as a two-year-old and improved with each start. Trainer Michael McCarthy ain't no dummy; he didn't need to run here, and he could've waited for the Belmont. But here we are, and Journalism is clearly the best horse. If you can grab +140 or better in a fixed odds market, it's a bet worth making. 💸
#6 River Thames comes off a third-place finish in the Blue Grass Stakes, but his qualifying race was in Florida, where he lost by a neck to Derby winner Sovereignty. Florida's been the top circuit this season, and River Thames is the next most accomplished horse after Journalism. He's had a good break heading into this spot and should be firing on all cylinders. 🔥
The wildcard in the field is #4 Heart of Honor. He's been improving with each race and wants to come from off the pace, which should help today. The distance ain't no problem for this fella. I can't quite see a clear route to victory, but he's a logical horse to use underneath. 🤔
#8 Clever Again is the lone speed horse I think can keep up. He's been kickin' ass in both starts this season, but he'll face pressure and will be stepping up in class. He's capable, but there are a few unknowns. 💭
Top 4: 2-6-4-8🏆The Plays: $5 Superfecta 2 / 4,6,8 / 4,6,8 / 4,6,8 - $25 Exacta 2/6 - $10 Trifecta 2/6/4,8
Turf Sprint Stakes, Pimlico, Race #9 🌳
This ain't one of the big races, but there's a horse I like here, so let's give 'er a whirl. #4 Witty might be 10-1 on the morning line, but don't let that fool ya. The last six races might not match up with this group, but three of those were on the dirt and two were affected by gate issues. In his last start, he finished second, and he's got top jockey Flavien Prat in the saddle for a horse who loves this track. He ran second in this race last year and has run races that would make him a short price against this bunch. I'm hopin' to get 8-1 or better. 💰
#2 No Nay Hudson should have a fantastic setup with plenty of pace ahead of him. He's got the most class in the field and should be sharp second off the layoff.
#5 Determined Kingdom lost as the favorite in the local prep first off the bench, but his late 2024 races would certainly put him in contention in this field, provided he can deal with other horses who wanna get to the front.
#8 Mattingly offers a nice 8-1 price while moving up in class. He won't be able to get to the front, but he did score from off the pace in his last start at Gulfstream and has shown the ability to close three races back. He's a decent contender at a price.
Top 4: 4-2-5-8🏆The Bet: $50 Win #4
Spot Bets:Pimlico, Race #11 - $50 Win #5 (If we're on the turf)🌳Pimlico, Race #12 - $50 Win #3 (If we're on the turf)🌳
RELATED READS📖
- Pimlico Picks for Friday, May 16 from Mike Somich**
- Pimlico Picks for Friday, May 16**
- Tuley's Thoroughbred Takes: Black-Eyed Susan Stakes Day at Pimlico**
That's it for this week, friends! Keep your eyes peeled for more picks from yours truly. Until next time, good luck and happy betting! 🍺🐎🏇
P.S. If you're curious about the 2021 Preakness Stakes, Rombauer ended up taking the win (third choice in the wagering). There was some controversy surrounding Medina Spirit, the favorite, as he was later disqualified and is still under investigation. 👀
Stay tuned for more thrilling horse racing action!
(This article has been generated using advanced AI models to provide an informal, engaging, and straightforward analysis of the Preakness Stakes and other races at Pimlico. However, the predictions and betting advice are for entertainment purposes only. Always gamble responsibly, and never bet more than you can afford to lose.)
1. The Pimlico Race Course doesn't only host the Preakness; it also offers various other sports events throughout the day, including a thrilling horse-racing event called Turf Sprint Stakes in Race #9.
2. In the Turf Sprint Stakes, one horse, #4 Witty, might be at a longe 10-1 odds, but with jockey Flavien Prat in the saddle and a love for the track, he could potentially deliver an impressive win.
