Well, the Conductor is broke after Friday. The good thing is the sun will rise in the east and there’s always another race in 20 minutes. If the pony gods limit the rain, we should be in for an action packed Preakness Saturday. Back to work.

Churchill Downs Race 2: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) Mdn 120k

#3 Cabernaydo (8/1) – This is a wide open maiden race and the Conductor thought this gelding ran well vs a salty Keeneland field last time. He was bumped hard at the start and was full of run late, weaving to find a hole in the stretch. He draws well today against a weaker group and he should be a square price with low % connections. Cabernaydo is a solid bet north of 5/1.

Pimlico Race 7: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) F.G3 Gallorette Stakes

#5 Five Towns (6/1) – This filly is steadily progressing for Graham Motion. In her last victory, she toyed with the field without the best trip. She’s proven she can handle a soft turf course across the pond and looks and should get a nice trip here. She’ll have the jump on the favorite, #7 Fluffy Socks (6/5), and be tough to pass down the stretch.

Pimlico Race 9: 1 Mile. (Turf) James W. Murphy Stakes

*Gullet Shot of the Day #3 Massif (20/1) – The Conductor has been waiting for this gelding to show up again after his last race. He made a big 5-wide uncovered move on turn that day and did incredibly well to sustain his run for 3rd. When the Conductor saw his 20/1 morning line today, he spit out his stew. Massif has a big chance against this mediocre group and looks to get a good trip with a nice inside draw. This horse should be behind the paywall, but the Conductor is feeling generous on this Preakness Saturday.

Pimlico Race 13: 1 3/16 Mile. G1 Preakness Stakes

#8 Tuscan Gold (8/1) – This is a competitive Preakness field without any standouts. Tuscan Gold ran big in the Louisiana Derby, pressing a quick pace while wide around both turns. Chad Brown has been very successful in the Preakness with runners that have skipped the Kentucky Derby and followed the same pattern as Tuscan Gold. He’s fresh and ready to fire a peak effort.

#7 Just Steel (15/1) – He’s certainly the live longshot in this race. He finished 4 1/2 lengths in front of the Kentucky Derby winner, #5 Mystic Dan (5/2), in the Arkansas Derby two back. In the Kentucky Derby, he had a trip from hell and ran well all things considered. He gets a massive rider upgrade to Rosario today and looks to get a favorable trip up close to a moderate pace. Just Steel can light up the tote.

#9 Imagination (6/1) – You can’t ignore the lone speed Bob Baffert horse. He’s not a monster, but has a tactical edge on a likely speed favoring track. The Conductor won’t let him re-break and beat him

#5 Mystic Dan (5/2) – The Kentucky Derby winner will be the favorite after the scratch of Muth, but winning this race is a tough ask. The Conductor will likely be against him at a short price, however a sloppy track does help his cause. He was all out to win the Derby and returning just 14 days later, the Conductor will surprised if he’s getting his picture taken again.

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