The Other Races You Should Bet On

Everyone is looking forward to the 134th running of the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, as seven three year olds coming out of the Kentucky Derby and two weeks later will try to win the second leg of the Triple Crown.

Waiting for them will be the brilliant filly Rachel Alexandra, who got an extra 24 hours rest after winning the Kentucky Oaks by more than 20 lengths on the day before the Derby.

While the race should be exciting, there are plenty of other horse wagering opportunities throughout the marathon 13 race card at Pimlico on Saturday, which gets underway at 10:15am eastern time.

While Ea may end up going off as the favorite in today’s play of the day, we have a few runners at decent prices underneath, which could lead to a nice score.

Our Pick 3 play of the day starts in the eighth race, and if we can somehow beat the 3/5 morning line favorite Affirmatif in the second leg, we could catch a nice payoff.

Today’s Play of the Day from Pimlico:

PIM Race 4 W.D. Schaeffer S. G3 (11:48 et)

#3 Ea 3/1
#5 Richard’s Kid 6/1
#4 Crimson Comic 10/1
#1 Cave’s Valley 5/1

Analysis: #3 Ea exits the Charles Town Classic where he ran a good second to the ultra sharp Researcher. He finished ahead of a couple of solid older runners in Dry Martini, who won a $66K stake at Belmont Park in his next start on 5/8, and Commentator, who is a multiple Grade 1 winner. The gelding was struggling on turf and since Albertrani switched this guy to dirt his form has really moved up.

#5 Richard’s Kid trailed the field and raced wide much of the trip last out in the Johnson Memorial, checking in fifth. The winner of the race was Bullsbay, who came back to win the G3 Alysheba in his next outing on 5/1 at Churchill Downs. Three back this guy earned a career top winning the John Campbell at Laurel Park. He figures to get overlooked on the tote in this spot, but really needs to see some pace in front of him here for him to have a legit shot.

Wagering

WIN: #3 to win at 9/5 or better.
EX: 3,5 / 1,3,4,5
TRI: 3,5 / 1,3,4,5 / 1,3,4,5,6

Today’s Pick 3 Play from Pimlico:

Starting in Race 8: $1: 1,3 / 1,4,5,8 / 1,3,8 = $24

PIM Race 8 Hirsch Jacobs S. G3 (2:35 et)
#1 Taqarub, #3 Not for Silver

#1 Taqarub was no match for Capt. Candyman Can last out in the G3 Bay Shore, cuts back to six furlongs, and faces a bit easier company here. The colt won his first three career starts at six furlongs in impressive fashion including a smart looking win in the Jimmy Winkfield three back where he earned a 103 Beyer in the gate to wire score. The colt has a couple of good drills on the morning tab since his last start. He owns a solid pace profile throughout and figures to bounce back with a better effort here and is reunited with Garcia, who was aboard the colt for his stakes win.

#3 Not for Silver also exits the Bay Shore and was not a threat in the stretch in a fifth place finish. The colt won the Capossela three back in his last go at today’s distance. Trombetta has been on fire at the meet, winning with 8 of his first 11 starters and seven of those had Pimentel aboard. If he runs back to his effort three back her would be a good fit here and the 8/1 ML looks more than fair.

PIM Race 9 Woodlawn S. (3:44 et)
#5 Colonel Rutledge, #8 Affirmatif, #4 Beacon Hill Road, #1 Heros Image

#5 Colonel Rutledge makes his second start off the bench here for the Motion barn. Last out on the main track at Charles Town he caught a tough spot in the Blue N Gold, a race won by Russell Road, who is 7 for 9 in his career. The colt broke his maiden on the turf at Ellis in his debut going 5 1/2 furlongs and then won the Ellis Juvie on the main track in his first start against winners. This guy still looks like he has plenty of upside potential for a sharp turf barn. Worth a look her to beat the chalk if we catch most of the 10/1 ML.

#8 Affirmatif is going to be tough to beat in this spot. The colt broke his maiden on the turf at Gulfstream Park by nine lengths earning a 100 Beyer. Last out at Keeneland he was a solid second against Alw-1 foes, a race that produced a pair of next out winners. The third place finisher Rescue Squad beat Alw-1 company on 4/19 at Keeneland, and seventh place finisher did the same against Ill. breds at Arlington Park on 5/10. The colt is a half to turf stakes winner Chitoz ($158K). This guy is going to be very tough to beat here but we can’t get real excited about backing him at less than even money.

PIM Race 10 Maryland Sprint (4:30 et)
#8 Ravalo, #1 West Coast Flier, #3 Silver Edition

#8 Ravalo came back off a 2 1/2 month break with a fourth place finish in the G2 Commonwealth. The gelding caught a poly surface that was favoring outside stalkers and closers that day. His lone go over the main track here produced a win in the Allen’s Prospect and one of his five triple digit Beyers in his career. Two back he ran third behind a solid sprinter in True Quality, who returned to win the G2 General George in his next start. He looks dangerous in this spot.

#1 West Coast Flier raced wide much of the trip and made a mild late run to finish third last out. The top two finishers both won stakes in their next starts. The winner Acting Zippy won the $74K Decathlon at Monmouth and runner up Secretintelligence won a Pa. bred stake at Philly Park. Contessa claimed this guy back for $30K after losing him for $25K. Main knock on this guy is the barn has been ice cold in New York since the end of the inner meeting.

Good luck padding your bankroll today!