Analysis (by Mary Rampellini)

Strengths: He looks like an improving 3-year-old for noted Triple Crown-race trainer Nick Zito, who won the Preakness in 1996 with Louis Quatorze. Stevil’s works have been forward since his last out, when he earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure for a fourth-place finish in the Blue Grass. The race was Stevil’s first start in Grade 1 company, and he was beaten just 2 1/2 lengths after a troubled trip. For the Preakness, he gets the services of two-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey John Velazquez.

Weaknesses: Stevil has yet to win around two turns. And his best career Beyer Figure, an 88 earned in the Blue Grass, is 21 points below the 109 that Preakness favorite Big Brown put up when he won the Kentucky Derby. Note, too, that the top two finishers from the Blue Grass, Monba and Cowboy Cal, returned to finish 20th and ninth in the Kentucky Derby.

Strategy: Stevil could sit within striking distance of the front-runners. He is a fresh horse, as this will be his first start in five weeks. He also worked a sharp half-mile on Tuesday. Stevil would also benefit from a ground-saving trip, as he has had his share of wide ones.

Value: He has outrun long odds in both of his graded stakes starts, finishing fifth at 95-1 in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby and fourth at 68-1 in the Blue Grass. He might be one of the better value plays underneath Big Brown.