Races to Wager on at Pimlico on Friday, 16th May

Twisting the Tide: A Horseshoe Diary for May 16

Petting the Third Rail: Should the Powers-That-Be Reboot the Triple Crown Timeline?

YES. The traditional threesome of dates—May 1st (Kentucky Derby), May 15th (Preakness), and June 5th (Belmont)—have been the bedrock for half a century, with only a smattering of exceptions. The Triple Crown has seen 13 victors, averaging about one every dozen years. The loyal citizens of Louisville, Baltimore, and New York eagerly await these dates, staking their yearly calendars on these hallowed race days. However, in today's world of evolving training techniques and fatter purses elsewhere, many jockeys prefer to see their horses compete once a month or two, rather than a week or two apart. Consequently, the chances of a Triple Crown victor have dwindled. Progressive Mr. Ed advocates for a shift: keeping the Kentucky Derby on May 1st, while shifting the Preakness to May 29th (perhaps on Memorial Day Weekend) and placing the Belmont during the first week of July, maybe on the Fourth of July. It's high time to adapt to the times, Powers-That-Be—moody as they may be.

NOD. Classic Mr. Ed believes things ought to remain as is. If an owner or trainer strives to hoist the Triple Crown, they should adjust their training methods without putting their horses' wellbeing at stake. Over the course of my life, I've witnessed no fewer than five Triple Crown champs (two of which within the past decade). The Triple Crown isn't flawed; don't mess with it.

Blackeyed Susan Day at Pimlico: A Day for Fillies

With 14 races, six of which are stakes, it's a day worthy of giving thanks—especially if you're a filly. Rain clouds may darken the sky, but the first post is set for 11:30 a.m. ET. Mr. Ed has conjured his predictions, including a late Pick 4, so grab your umbrella and saddle up!

Pimlico Picks for May 16

Race 1 (11:30 a.m. ET/8:30 a.m. PT) - $54K Allowance Claiming for 3-year-olds running 6 furlongs I'll kick things off with a safe bet: #6 VERIFIRE (2-5 morning line), a muscle-bound steed from the Brian Cox stable. He made his debut a winner at Colonial Downs in March. Top rider Flavien Prat will be astride.

Race 4 (1:02 p.m. ET/10:02 a.m. PT) - $54K Allowance for 3-year-olds and up going 5 furlongs on turf I'll take a chance with #8 BOURBON BOSS (3-1 morning line). Sharp Maryland trainer Michael Pino (boasting a 36% win rate this year) sends out a seasoned turf runner aiming for consecutive victories. A slight cutback and the return of jockey Rodriguez add to the allure. Mr. Ed will share a sip of Buffalo Trace.

Race 5 (1:33 p.m. ET/10:33 a.m. PT) - $52K Maiden Special Weight for 3-year-olds running 6 furlongs Mr. Ed has unearthed a duo deserving of your wagers: #4 ENNIS TOWN (8-5 morning line) gets Lasix, blinkers, and a skilled local rider, Mychel Sanchez; and #7 PRIVMAN (6-5), for the high-powered team of Baffert and Prat.

Race 7 (2:34 p.m. ET/11:34 a.m. PT) - $58K Allowance Claiming for 3-year-olds and up running a mile on turf Three seems the magic number for my money: #2 BLAME THE TUX (6-1 morning line), making a comeback following a break, reducing the distance; #7 ARMY OFFICER (2-1) for Cox, who taps Prat for the ride; and #11 OCEAN CITY (3-1), for team Russell. Mr. Ed used to vacation for three decades of summers with his family at OC.

Race 9 (3:36 p.m. ET/12:36 p.m. PT) - $125K Hilltop Stakes for 3-year-old fillies running a mile on turf Mr. Ed favors #2 PLAY WITH FIRE (6-1 morning line), the scorching hot runner from the Walsh yard, who has enticed Prat to guide her to victory. Recent grass ventures and consistent Beyers numbers get my attention. A potential scratch could throw a wrench in the works.

Race 10 (4:07 p.m. ET/1:07 p.m. PT) - $150K G3 Miss Preakness Stakes for 3-year-old fillies sprinting 6 furlongs I'm laying down my money on my #5 FAMILY (6-1 morning line) for distant trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., who has tempted top pilot Irad Ortiz, Jr. to ride. A pair of turf races at Turfway place her on an upward trajectory.

Race 12 (4:47 p.m. ET/1:47 p.m. PT) - $.50 Pick 4R10: 5,6,12R11: 9,14R12: 3,7,8,9R13: 3,4,7,8

Race 13 (5:44 p.m. ET/2:44 p.m. PT) - $300K G2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes for 3-year-old fillies running 9 furlongs Mr. Ed is rooting for the Gun Runner's daughter, #4 RUNNIN N GUNNIN (5-2 morning line) for the all-time winningest trainer, Asmussen, and premier rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. Bring your guns to the winner's circle.

TOTAL WAGERS: $198

Sneak Peek at Pimlico Picks for May 16

Thoroughbred Talk for Black-Eyed Susan Stakes Day at Pimlico

Black-Eyed Susan Stakes 2025 Contenders, Odds, and Predictions

In-Depth Discussion:

Experts and racing pundits have criticized the current Triple Crown schedule for being too constricting and outdated. This tight spacing—Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May, Preakness two weeks later, and Belmont three weeks after the Preakness—requires horses to run every two weeks or less. This intensified schedule contradicts modern training and racing strategies, leading to fewer horses competing in all three races.

A suggested rearrangement of dates seeks to extend the Triple Crown contest to nearly two months, starting with the Kentucky Derby on May 1st, moving the Preakness to the first Saturday in June (about four weeks after the Derby), and setting the Belmont on the Fourth of July (four weeks after the Preakness). This longer interval allows horses more recovery time between races, potentially increasing the chances of a Triple Crown winner and boosting overall participation.

Despite logical advantages, challenges stand in the way of such changes, including the fragmented nature of horse racing governance and resistance to altering a century-old tradition.

Amidst the proposed changes in the Triple Crown timeline, horse racing fans may find an attractive alternative in sports-betting markets offering odds for the Kentuck Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes races spread across various months.
For sports-analysis enthusiasts, the shift in the Triple Crown calendar could lead to a more in-depth study of horse-racing data from each race, providing insights into racing strategies and training techniques for jockeys and trainers in the sports-racing industry.
As the debate on rebooting the Triple Crown timeline continues, it's essential to keep horse-racing traditions such as horse-racing heritage days and weekly races like the one on Blackeyed Susan Day at Pimlico alive. This way, racing enthusiasts can enjoy the thrill of sports-racing and honor the long-standing history of this racing tradition.