Analysis (by Ron Gierkink)

Strengths: Lightly-raced colt could possess more upside than any horse in the field. His maiden victory was impressive, and he had excuses in the Fountain of Youth. From all accounts, he has trained brilliantly since the Blue Grass, which includes a work in the slop over the Pimlico strip. He didn’t make it into the Kentucky Derby field due to a lack of graded earnings, and is entering the Preakness off a five-week break, which gives him an edge on those returning in two weeks.

Weaknesses: He’s relatively inexperienced, and has faced mediocre opposition – the highest Derby placing by any of the six runners that exited the Blue Grass was Pyro, who was eighth. His habit of remaining on his left lead throughout the stretch run has arguably been his Achilles’ heel, a notion which trainer Reade Baker refutes. “I’m the last guy in the world who worries about leads,” Baker said. “I think horses run on their opposite lead because they’re comfortable doing that.”

Strategy: He figures to assume a stalking position if the pace is slow, and could end up running in midpack if the pace is fast. “He’s a very kind horse, and I think you can place him anywhere you want,” said Baker.

Value: He has gotten lots of media attention, thanks in part to his trainer’s outspoken comments regarding Big Brown, and could end up being an underlay. Consider him fair value at 15-1 or higher, and he’s a must-use on the bottom of exotic wagers.