MIDNIGHT BOURBON can upset the Preakness, assuming he gets a different trip than his better-than-looked sixth in the Kentucky Derby. Midnight Bourbon runs best when he is forwardly placed, but he was unable to establish a forward position in the Derby. He raced in the back half of the field, lost ground most of the race, and missed by slightly more than eight lengths. Under compromising circumstances, he actually ran very well.

Perhaps the most important thing to do when sitting down with the past performances for the 146th Preakness is to put the controversy and subsequent distractions surrounding the Kentucky Derby winner aside. Once that is done, it quickly becomes clear that MEDINA SPIRIT, whether he wins this race or not, holds a significant edge over his nine rivals in both form and speed.

RACE 3: PENALTY (#1)

Belmont | Race 8 | Post Time 6:45 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

RACE 5: HOME RUN MAKER (#10)

AT THE SPA

Trainer: Jorge Periban

Last race: May 7, race 2

Finish: 1^st by 7

Beyer: 64

Sparkling debut by 2-year-old Outwork filly whose dam won multiple statebred stakes in West Virginia. Sped to lead, dueled, crushed. Fits in juvenile stakes race on any circuit.

Belmont | Race 8 | Post Time 4:51 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up 

ARCADIA, Calif. – The $100,000 stakes on Sunday at Belmont Park and Santa Anita honor Grade 1-winning stars of yesteryear; both drew six entrants. Otherwise, the Gold Fever at Belmont and the Fran’s Valentine at Santa Anita could not be any more different.

Three-year-olds race six furlongs on dirt at Belmont in the Gold Fever, named for the 1996 winner of the NYRA Mile. Candy Man Rocket is favored in the Gold Fever, which features a classic handicapping dilemma – class or speed?

RACE 5: LADY FATIMA (#5)

Belmont | Race 9 | Post Time 5:12 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up