Bernier: How I'll play Preakness Day

Handicappers Matt Bernier and Kenny Peck are going head to head with $500 to wager on the Preakness card at Pimlico.

RACE 8: GALLORETTE HANDICAP

The Gallorette is a fantastic betting race, and I’ll focus my plays on two fillies exiting the same allowance race at Keeneland, BOCAIUVA (1) and SISTAS STROLL (11). If you’re a tape watcher and look for troubled trips, then you obviously know the story behind these two fillies. Bocaiuva never got a chance to do any running during the race, and Sistas Stroll was as rank down the backside as you’ll ever see a racehorse. I expect big efforts from these two.

$50 to WIN: 1) Bocaiuva, 11) Sistas Stroll
$50 EXACTA BOX: 1, 11
TOTAL: $100

RACE 12: DIXIE STAKES

As good a betting race as the Gallorette is, it doesn’t come close to the wagering opportunity the Dixie presents to handicappers. I truly think as many as 11 horses can win this race, and because of that, tremendous value is out there to be had. I’ll play multiple win wagers, but my key for exotics will be the Shug McGaughey-trained IRONICUS (2). I’ve always been a fan of this gray son of Distorted Humor, and I think he’s starting to put it all together. His latest effort at Keeneland was a promising one, and the horse who held on to narrowly beat him that day came back to win Thursday at Belmont Park with a 93 Beyer Speed Figure. I think Shug has this one ready to roll, and he could offer immense value at his 15-1 morning line. I’m also very high on MANCHURIAN HIGH (10) going out for Lilli Kurtinecz. I get the feeling that this has always been the goal for this local outfit, and the addition of Gary Stevens can’t go overlooked. I think he’s a major player in here.

$100 to WIN: 2) Ironicus, 10) Manchurian High
$2 EXACTA BOX: 2, 10
50-cent TRIFECTA: 2 / 4,6,9,10,11,12,13 / 1,4,6,8,9,10,11,12,13,14 = $31.50
50-cent TRIFECTA: 4,6,9,10,11,12,13 / 2 / 1,4,6,8,9,10,11,12,13,14 = $31.50
50-cent TRIFECTA: 4,6,9,10,11,12,13 / 1,4,6,8,9,10,11,12,13,14 / 2 = $31.50
TOTAL: $298.50

:: Peck: How I'd play Preakness Day

RACE 13: PREAKNESS STAKES

I don’t have any clever thoughts about the Preakness; although the post-position draw made things a bit more intriguing, I still think AMERICAN PHAROAH (1) and DORTMUND (2) are the two best horses in the race. I’ll take a stand against FIRING LINE (8), as I hated the way he didn’t change leads down the lane in Louisville. To try to add some value, I’ll incorporate MR. Z (3) and DANZIG MOON (4).

$1 SUPERFECTA: 1,2 / 1,2 / 3,4 / 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 = $20
$1 SUPERFECTA: 1,2 / 3,4 / 1,2 / 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 = $20
$1 SUPERFECTA: 3,4 / 1,2 / 1,2 / 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 = $20
$1 TRIFECTA: 1 / 2 / 3,4 = $40
TOTAL: $100

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