We could be in for another heart-pounding finish Saturday in the $2 million Preakness Stakes (G1) at Laurel Park.
Golden Tempo, who is bypassing the Preakness to wait for the Belmont Stakes (G1), thrilled the racing world with his dramatic stretch run in the Kentucky Derby (G1) two weeks ago.
After doing our pace analysis, stretch runners could have another field day in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.
It's time once again to open up the wallet and make a serious investment in one of the sport's premier races for 3-year-olds.
We have a $500 bankroll to work with, so let's examine our horse racing wagering options.
On paper, the race is loaded with speed both inside and outside. Taj Mahal on the rail has posted front-running victories at Laurel in the Miracle Wood and the Federico Tesio. From the inside slot, jockey Sheldon Russell has no option other than to shoot right to the front.
On the far outside, post 14, Pretty Boy Miah has won two in a row at Aqueduct by pressing the pace. His best option will be to employ similar tactics.
Between the rail and the last stall, there are plenty of other runners, such as Crupper, Robusta, Chip Honcho, The Hell We Did, Napoleon Solo, Corona de Oro, and Great White, who do their best work on or close to the pace.
It could be one heck of a traffic jam up front. And that should set the stage for our selection: Incredibolt (5-1), a last-minute entrant only hours before last Monday's post-position draw.
Incredibolt, one of only three Derby runners to return for the Preakness, rallied to finish only four lengths behind Golden Tempo despite a trip in which he was repeatedly bumped and banged.
He has post 12, which should keep him clear of early trouble.
“I hope we run the way they like us in the odds. Anytime you are in a Triple Crown race, and you have odds of 5-1, it is a great opportunity,” trainer Riley Mott said. “We are going to look to try and get the job done.”
Mott is the son of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, who advised him to take the Preakness shot if the colt was doing well.
Ocelli (6-1), the maiden who stunningly ran third in the Derby at 70-1, is another closer who would love a hot early pace. He rallied from 17th to hit the board.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
