Its Preakness week and Keeneland, Santa Anita and Belmont are all running. The train will be tested at full speed right out of the gate, just the way the Conductor likes it. With the major tracks starting tomorrow, the Conductor will preview the Preakness today:
#1 Excession (30/1) – This colt is a wild card horse and the Conductor will likely use him in 3rd and 4th in the tri and super. Coming in off a long layoff, he ran his best race last time closing for 2nd behind an early derby favorite Nadal. He will need to significantly improve to be competitive, but 3-year-olds can mature a lot from the spring to fall and we haven’t seen what this boy has become. He looks to get a good setup with a hot pace in front as well
#2 Mr. Big News (12/1) – He ran a big race in the Derby and is probably the best closer in the race. He will have pace to run at, but the Conductor doesn’t like him to be better than 3rd again.
*#3 Art Collector (5/2) – The Conductor was going to bet this boy in the Derby, but he scratched due to a heel injury. His three recent works show the Conductor he’s feeling good and ready to roll. He looks to get a perfect trip sitting behind the early speed and he’ll be the Conductor’s win bet.
*Swiss Skydiver (6/1) – This is a very talented filly and she ran well against the boys in the Blue Grass, but Art Collector was too much. Beaten by a bomb last time and up against the pace in here, the Conductor these waters are too deep.
#5 Thousand Words (6/1) – The “other Baffert” flipped in the paddock at the Derby and was scratched. The Conductor didn’t like him that day and doesn’t like him here as he will likely be contesting a hot pace vs superior horses. He will be over bet because of connections.
#6 Jesus’ Team (30/1) – The Conductor wasn’t a fan of the Jim Dandy and he doesn’t look like he can get the distance. Jesus should have picked a better squad.
#7 Ny Traffic (15/1) – He threw in the towel early in the Derby, but lost to the Derby winner, Authentic, by a nose two back in the Haskell. He has talent and shows solid work entering today, the Conductor doesn’t know what to do with him yet.
#8 Max Player (15/1) – He’s a grinder that can run all day, but not extremely talented. He can clunk up for 3rd or 4th.
#9 Authentic (9/5) – What a race he ran in the Derby, setting a hot pace and turning away Tiz the Law down the lane. His works exiting that effort lead the Conductor to believe he’s feeling good, but the Ductor isn’t sold. That effort will be tough to repeat on a quick turnaround and while the Conductor won’t toss him, he thinks he’ll regress on Saturday and run 2nd or 3rd.
*#10 Pneumatic (20/1) – This is the price horse that most intrigues the Conductor in here. He’s fresh, steadily progressing and looks to get a perfect stalking trip mid-pack. The Conductor has liked this horse every step of the way and ran well with troubled trips when he’s faced stakes company. He will be the Conductor’s key in the vertical wagers.
#11 Liveyourbeastlife (30/1) – He’s on the improve and has strong late pace figures, but he looks to be a cut below this group.
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