Pimlico: Preakness Day Key Horses

A horse with a rider approaching the Preakness Stakes venue, with construction equipment in the background.

A Gullet Shot a Day, keeps the landlord away. Speed and the rail were golden yesterday at Pimlico, something to keep an eye on today. We have have them right where we want them heading into Preakness Day. Time to pounce! Skip!

 

Race 9: 6 Furlongs. F.Runhappy Skipat Stakes

#8 French Empire (3/1) – This mare is steadily progressing, running very fast numbers and is now in the Cox barn. She’s working bullets entering today and looks to get a perfect stalking trip with a nice outside draw.

Race 10: 5 Furlongs. (Turf) Turf Sprint100K

#11 Firecrow (10/1)#4 The Critical Way (5/2) is the most likely winner, but the Ductor thinks this gelding is very dangerous at a price. He has wicked early speed and has been facing graded stakes winners on dirt. Switching to turf here, he’s lightly raced on the lawn, but has proven he can run well on it and the shorter distance today will help his cause as well.

Race 11: 6 Furlongs. G3 Maryland Sprint

#7 Breezy Dust (6/1) – Stepping up in class and shipping in from Parx, this gelding fits on numbers and he has the speed to get the lead early. He’s very dangerous, especially shortening to 6 furlongs today.

#2 Yodel E. A. Who (8/1) – If the closers have a chance today, the Conductor likes this gelding. The pace in this race could heat up and he has a strong late kick. He’ll likely be an overlay without big name connections too.

Race 12: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) G2 Dinner Party Stakes

#1 Somelikeithotbrown (4/1) – When this horse is on the lead, he’s tough to pass in the stretch. He looks to get a favorable trip here, without much early pressure. The Chad Brown runners, #3 Kuramata (6/1) and #5 Sacred Life (7/5) will be tough to beat, but over bet. #2 English Bee (8/1) is the only other Contender in the Ductor’s opinion.

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

*Gullet Shot of the Day #4 Crowded Trade (10/1) – The Conductor has lost so much sleep trying to figure out how this Preakness plays out with Concert Tour (5/2) and #3 Medina Spirit (9/5) entered. He’s come to the conclusion that they are going to send #5 Midnight Bourbon (5/1) regardless after his heinous ride in the Derby, and that should compromise all 3. Crowded Trade has shown talent his young career and he should sit the perfect trip right behind the speed. Chad has pulled this move before, and the Conductor sees a monster effort upcoming. The Conductor will be using #6 Rombaur (12/1) as a backup, who should sit a similar trip as well.

preakness

Santa Anita Park: Santa Anita Derby Day Key Horses

Bronze statue of a horse adorned with a floral garland, showcasing equestrian art and culture.

It’s Santa Anita Derby Day passengers, close the shades and get ready to fire! Let’s Ride.

Race 8: 1 1/8 Mile Runhappy Santa Anita Derby

*Gullet Shot of the Day #9 The Great One (8/1)#7 Medina Spirit (5/2) is the clear one to beat, but the Conductor will take a shot with this boy if he’s at that price. He was bumped early last time and needs the lead to run his best. His Los Al Futurity and maiden breaker are right there on numbers and he should get the early lead with a clean break today too.

forrest gump running GIF

Race 9: 1 Mile. (Turf F.G2 Royal Heroine Stakes

#1 Dogtag (8/1) – This mare is coming in off a layoff, but is working well and has won off the bench before. Her turf efforts give her every chance against this group and also looks to get a nice stalking trip from the rail. This race is loaded with early speed and the stalkers/closers will have a great setup.

Race 10: 6½ Furlongs. F.S. Evening Jewel Stakes

#3 Fi Fi Pharoah (6/1) – She ran really well in her debut despite a troubled trip on the inside. She finished strong and galloped out nicely. The Conductor sees her taking a big step forward today.

Race 11: 1 Mile. (Turf) F.Alw 78000n1x

#1 Good On Paper (8/1) – This race is wide open and the toughest in the pick 6 sequence in the Conductor’s opinion. This filly ran better than it looks last time trying to close into a very slow pace. She’s run well outside of California on turf and should get a nice ground saving trip from the rail too. She’s lightly raced and can improve.

Race 12: 6½ Furlongs. S.Echo Eddie Stakes

*Gullet Shot of the Day #3 The Chosen Vron (8/5) – She ran very well in the San Vicente and is now dropping back in against California breds. The Conductor single her in everything.