The main event at Pimlico this weekend is Saturday, but Friday's card offers plenty of solid betting opportunities, including the pick four comprising races 8 through 11:
RACE 8: COMPELLED was a close third against a good group in the Florida Oaks when last seen, yet another solid effort for a filly who has yet to run a bad race. HAPPY MESA has a good late kick and her last couple of Beyers fit nicely.
A's: 5
B's: 12
C's: NONE
ARCADIA, Calif. - The carryover in the single-ticket jackpot pool of the $2 pick six has grown to $147,821 for Friday’s program at Santa Anita.
There were multiple winning pick-six tickets pick Thursday, which paid $4,767.
The winners of the pick six races were Cherokee Dynasty ($7.20), Bay Muzik ($7), Monster Man ($8), Fight Thru ($4.80), Forest Blue ($3.80), and Tammy’s Window ($5).
Fight Thru, Forest Blue, and Tammy’s Window were favored.
Belmont | Race 8 | Post Time 5:13 p.m. (ET) | Go to the FREE TimeformUS PPs
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How does the Projector work?
The TimeformUS Pace Projector attempts to predict how a race will unfold early. It displays the horses ranked by the TimeformUS Early Speed Rating – fastest in the front, slowest in the rear. The image shows where the horses are projected to be after the first half-mile of a route race. The front is displayed to the right. The Pace Projector also attempts to determine if the pace of the race is likely to be fast, average, or slow.
What is the Pace Projector saying about the Preakness?
Despite giving his connections and supporters some anxious moments during training hours in the days leading up to the big event, ALWAYS DREAMING showed up cool and calm in the paddock, then validated the notion that he is the best of his division at the present time with a decisive victory in the Kentucky Derby.
As ALWAYS DREAMING makes his way to Pimlico for the second jewel in racing’s Triple Crown, it is worth looking back to where he started in order to predict what we may get from him Saturday.
With only two weeks between the Derby and Preakness, much has been made of trainer Todd Pletcher’s record on short rest. In short, it is not great. Pletcher has been in this position once before – his only other Derby winner, Super Saver, finished eighth in the Preakness as the favorite.
With a better trip two weeks ago, CLASSIC EMPIRE might have given Kentucky Derby winner ALWAYS DREAMING a battle. But the only luck Classic Empire had in the Derby was bad luck. He bobbled and was wiped out at the break, ran 75 feet farther than the winner (according to Trakus), and finished fourth. Classic Empire lost by less than nine lengths. Under the circumstances, it was an outstanding performance. With a better trip in the Preakness, Classic Empire can turn the tables on the Derby winner.
Super Muffin
Trainer: John Terranova
Last race: May 10, 6th
Finish: 4th by 8 1/2
Beyer: 65
Super Saver filly simply got in too tough while making her first start in a loaded maiden race, but she managed to show some early speed and then fought on gamely in the stretch before getting overpowered by a talented trio.
