Preakness 146 Horse Profile: Midnight Bourbon
With a field of ten announced for Preakness 146 at Pimlico this Saturday. Our in-house handicapper and turf-man both put together their thoughts on each of the runners set to complete in the second of the Triple Crown races.
You can bet on the race below with our Race Card or via TVG and TwinSpires special offers for the race (above and below) and read on for all their thoughts about Midnight Bourbon...
Sean's Take...
Midnight Bourbon (#5): He finished a well-beaten sixth in the Derby, 8 ¼ lengths behind Medina Spirit, but I don’t think he ran as poorly as that margin suggests. He was essentially eliminated at the start when he broke well but was shuffled back to midpack, many lengths off the leader. For a horse with his forwardly-placed running style that spelled doom for his chances of winning, however he still mustered a decent rally and showed some signs of life in the stretch. All things equal I don’t know that he’s in the same league as Medina Spirit, but if that one regresses I believe Midnight Bourbon is well-positioned to take advantage of it. He’s one to take seriously in all wagering slots.
J.N.'s Take...
This Steve Asmussen-trainee reminds me of Bill Mott’s Tacitus from 2019 . . . blessed and cursed with some early victories in his career, thus spawn hopes for future returns. He has some major ability, and I don’t think anyone would debate that point. Still, the question is, has he run just too many times already?
Maybe the Winchell Team are just trying to get one more “go” out of him, just to see if he can grab a piece of Triple Crown history. Everyone knows this ownership group when it comes to the SW Circuit, and “Graded” Co. A win in the Preakness would just add to the lore, especially after a 6th place finish in the KYD. Asmussen continues to have some monumental achievements himself, so a win at Pimlico in 2021 would be pretty sweet. His son of Tiznow has the ability to rate well, and if he can get loose on the lead, he might be able to steal the whole shebang. He is going to have to prove he belongs against some “early” types that like to run. Will not be easy.
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Preakness Stakes 2021 Race Card
Medina Spirit
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Age: 3 /
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Jockey: John Velazquez /
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Trainer: Bob Baffert /
Kentucky Derby winner. You all know the story about his failed drugs test. Has to pass Pre-Race testing otherwise he will be scratched. If he runs, worthy favorite. Tough front-running horse.
Concert Tour
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Age: 3 /
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Jockey: Mike Smith /
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Trainer: Bob Baffert /
Second favorite behind stablemate Medina Spirit. Won the San Vicente and Rebel in impressive fashion before a third place finish at the Arkansas Derby. Front-runner. If he gets out to the lead early then he'll be tough to beat. Big if though with Medina Spirit in the field.
Midnight Bourbon
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Age: 3 /
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Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. /
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Trainer: Steve Asmussen /
If you are looking to bet away from Bob Baffert, here's your best shot. Hit the board in all five of the Derby Prep Races he entered, winning the Grade III Lecomte. Ran 6th in the Derby. Contender.
Crowded Trade
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Age: 3 /
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Jockey: Javier Castellano /
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Trainer: Chad Brown /
Hit the board twice in the NYRA Road to the Derby. Surprised he's as short as 10/1 on the Morning Line. Expect that to drift.
Rombauer
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Age: 3 /
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Jockey: Flavien Prat /
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Trainer: Michael McCarthy /
My favorite horse of the perceived outsiders. Thought his third place behind Essential Quality and Highly Motivated in the Grade II Blue Grass was a good run. Outsider but not a no hoper.
Keepmeinmind
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Age: 3 /
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Jockey: David Cohen /
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Trainer: Robertino Diodoro /
Came home 7th in the Kentucky Derby. Looked like an excellent two-year-old but hasn't hit the board in three starts as a three-year-old. Tough to back even in deep exotics.
Unbridled Honor
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Age: 3 /
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Jockey: Luis Saez /
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Trainer: Todd Pletcher /
Broke his Maiden back in February at Tampa Bay Downs. 4th in the Tampa Bay Derby and second behind King Fury at the Lexington. Would be a big step up to contend in the Preakness.
Risk Taking
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Age: 3 /
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Jockey: Jose Ortiz /
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Trainer: Chad Brown /
Won the Grade III Withers back in February but followed that up with a 7th place finish in that shocking Wood Memorial. Deep exotics possibilities.
France Go De Ina
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Age: 3 /
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Jockey: Joel Rosario /
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Trainer: Hideyuki Mori /
Flown in from Japan following a very disappointing 6th place in the UAE Derby. Was highly thought of going into that race. Would need to up his game seriously to be near the front in the closing stages.
Ram
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Age: 3 /
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Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr. /
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Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas /
Broke his Maiden at the 9th time of asking. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas looking for his 8th Preakness win. Real real long shot here.
