One of the advantages (or disadvantages) of being a racing reporter is you can tell when a trainer is really, really confident in what they’re telling you – and that was the case this week when I called Joe Orseno to ask him about HAPPY MY WAY.
Friday’s card is highlighted by the Black-Eyed Susan for 3-year-old fillies, and while there are some decent wagering opportunities I can honestly say I don’t love anything throughout the day. That’s not to be used as an excuse – on with the competition!
The pick four ending with the Preakness Stakes has a 50-cent minimum and $1.5 million-guaranteed pool. The sequence (races 10-13) also includes a live longshot in the Grade 2 Dixie Stakes (race 12) which will be a single on this suggested ticket.
There’s a simple approach to the Pimlico double linking the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes on Friday and the Preakness on Saturday, and there’s a complex one.
DRF handicapper Kenny Peck provides his best plays on Friday's program at Pimlico.
DRF handicapper Dan Illman provides his analysis of the pick four that begins with race 8 Friday at Pimlico.
Here’s a look at the pick five races that begin on race 7 Friday at Pimlico, with analysis by DRF handicapper Byron King.
Download DRF Plus handicapping reports for Friday's races, including DRF Bets GamePlan, the Positive ROI Report, and Key Race Report.
Abtaal (#10, ML 6-1) runs for the first time since Feb. 22, 2014, in Thursday’s eighth race at Belmont Park, a 1 1/8-mile optional claimer on turf. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is winning at a 38 percent clip when saddling a horse coming off a layoff longer than 180 days, for a return on investment of $3.52.
I believe American Pharoah has a big forward move coming in the Preakness when we might see the big-margin win some were expecting in the Kentucky Derby.
