Chick Lang Stakes 2021 Picks: Johnny V Gets Willy Boi Home
Preakness Weekend is finally upon us, and the run-up had its share of drama. Bob Baffert and his Kentucky Derby Champion, Medina Spirit, became the focal point. His hubris, mismanagement, and outright audacity taxed the sport in a way that has yet to be realized or understood. Now, as the scene shifts to the home of the Maryland Jockey Club at Pimlico, its oldest signature race takes center stage.
A Super Saturday arrives after what amounted to a rousing edition of Black-Eyed Susan Day. For the Preakness card, a full listing of contests appears on tap, and we at HorseRacing.net/us, have you covered with a bevy of selections, and our focused analysis. Both our turf-man and our in-house handicapper are on hand to offer their “expert” opinions. Stay tuned …
The team at HorseRacing.net put together slates of selections for most thoroughbred tracks racing in the US every single day. The Picks page (linked to below) is updated at 5AM ET every day with all the selections for the upcoming slate...
Race 3: Dirt, 6F, Chick Lang S. (G3), $200k, 3
If you didn’t know, the name “Chick Lang” is synonymous with the Preakness. A man who did it all, and rose to become the General Manager of Pimlico Racecourse, he helped to define the meaning of the 2nd Leg of the Triple Crown for over 2 decades. A master of promotion, he opened the infield, attracted new fans, and staved off a pari-mutuel clerk strike at one point. His shadow is long. What would he say about this year’s Preakness …
The race in his good name continues to be an early part of Preakness Saturday. It is not often that you have a Grade III this early in the day. What we find is a short field that will be sprinting around the MT oval. The lead runner is Steve Asmussen’s Jaxon Traveler #4 who is a Maryland bred that is going to be extremely difficult to beat. He gets Irad Ortiz, America’s leading rider, and after a couple of nice efforts down at Oaklawn that lead to a 1st and 2nd place finish in each, it is easy to see why. Once again, West Point Thoroughbreds invests in strong products, and this one out of Munnings is no exception.
If there is an antidote to Asmussen, then it is another from the same barn. Mighty Mischief #2 is well-bred out of … you guessed it … Into Mischief. I would expect Ricardo Santana is ready to lock riding crops once again with Ortiz. In 3 starts at Oaklawn this colt has done nothing wrong. A 2-win set of scores is impressive coming out of the Hot Springs track, but we shall see if he is ready to take on a group like this one.
One other to consider, and it might be a straight “win” play considering the odds, is Jeff Engler’s Willy Boi #6. This one was tossed from the Derby Trail early, after a poor try in the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park. Since then, he won the Hutchenson 75k in fine fashion back in early March. These frontend types can be hit-or-miss, but with John Velazquez in the saddle, this one should be fine. Can he get to the front is the question? If he can, it might be a victory against the Asmussen duo.
Top Selection: Willy Boi #6
Creative Wager: $1 Trifecta Cold, 6 w 4 w 2
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