Pimlico Picks: Preakness Stakes Day All-Stakes Pick 6 on May 21

Pimlico Race Course has a complicated history, but somehow it is still in operation. Known as the "Home of the Preakness," it will only be running for a short time in May. Watch and wager while it lasts ... The Preakness on Saturday is upon us, and it promises to have a juicy pool for the All-Stakes .20 Pick 6 in races 8 through 13.

Our turfwriter J.N. Campbell shares his thoughts on the big race, plus the rest of the undercard. This is Pimlico's moment to shine, so you will not want to miss out, as we have a slate of 14-races on the docket. Here we go horseplayers ... the 2nd jewel in the Triple Crown is up for grabs!

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered, including all of the action! It is a good time for some of the best that North American racing has to offer. Stay tuned! If you're looking for picks elsewhere around the country this Saturday be sure to check out our free Horse Racing Picks via the gold button below. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter ... Horseracing_USA !!!

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PREAKNESS DAY, .20 RAINBOW ALL-STAKES PICK 6 …

LEG 1: (Race 8: Turf, 1 1/16th, Dinner Party S. (G2), $250k, 3+)

Once again, “Old Hilltop,” as it is affectionately called, will host the 147th Preakness … pomp and circumstance aside, the neighborhood around the track needs investment and urban renewal in a big way. We are going to start this P6 sequence with a race that used to be called the “Dixie,” but was summarily changed to the “Dinner Party.” It used to be a marquee G2, but this year’s edition seems to be lacking when it comes to star power. Out of these turf routers, I am particularly interested in trying to beat Brad Cox’s Set Piece #3. The Juddmonte homebred has a strong class rating, but maybe this trough that he is in right now will continue. There is the question of whether he remains talented at age 6 ... Much respect, but I fancy the 2 inside runners in this spot. Saffie Joseph is a trainer that has raised his game over the past number of years, and he reaped the benefits during the Championship Season at Guflstream Park … winning the training title over Todd Pletcher for the 1st time in his career. He brings a Brazilian bred turfer to PIM that is going to be cutting back in distance. Novo Sol #2 made his U.S. debut in early January of this year, and it was an off-track day … he still won. Based on his form from Brazil, he could be tough in a spot like this one, and did end up 3rd against Gufo and Abaan in the Pan American (G2) @GP last time out … that was a 1½. He should appreciate a race like this one. The other runner that I like is Jack Sisterson’s Tango Tango Tango #1. Saying his name in succession was quite repetitive in his last 2 races at Gulfstream Park and Belmont. Winning in OC tests isn’t like competing against “graded co.,” but the son of Tourist looks like he is ready for his close-up. With Flavien Prat in the penalty box, the chore of pilot falls to Tyler Gaffalione. He is a worthy sub. I like both these entries for different reasons, and the price on them should be excellent. Let’s roll …  

Selections: 1/2 (2-Deep)

LEG 2: (Race 9: Dirt, 6F, Chick Lang S. (G3), $200k, 3)

There are racetrack personalities, and then there was Chick Lang. The indomitable spirit of Maryland left his mark on the sport, and it continues to this day. “His” race is a sprint that regularly brings together a good group of sophomore runners. This time around, we have an interesting race-within-a-race between Steve Asmussen’s Cogburn #1, and John Ortiz’s Arkansas bred, Whelan Springs #7. This pair faced one another in the Bachelor S. $150k last month, and it was a slugfest, all the way to the wire. The latter got the best of the former, and that was pretty impressive considering “The Natural State” doesn’t produce a ton of open company stakes winners. Shortleaf Stables does have a strong bunch, and Ortiz has risen towards the top of the Oaklawn training ranks through hard work. I want to use both of these former foes because they could be at it again as this race unfolds. There are some other horses that look pretty special in here too … well-drawn contest, indeed. For instance, did you catch Brett Brinkman’s Old Homestead #5 in the Lafayette S. $400k at Keeneland in early April? It was masterful, and the speedball took the race by force. Jockey Tom Pompell is making the trip to Baltimore to take the mount. We simply cannot leave out the colt by Overanalyze. The same could be say for Juan Carlos’ Avila’s Little Vic #9. Owned by former MLB baseball player for the Tigers, Victor Martinez, Avila brings this colt by Practical Joke into Pimlico from The Shore at Monmouth. Running back into this spot takes heart, and Paco Lopez is going to have the chance to make a splash against his old jockey rivals from S. Florida. I like these connections, and I am sure to get a great price.

Selections: 1/5/7/9 (4-Deep)

LEG 3: (Race 10: Turf, 1 Mile, James W. Murphy S. $100k, 3)

The Murph is up next … If this sequence wasn’t tough enough, we are heading into a 2-turn turf event that pits a Brad Cox-layoff-runner against a pair of accomplished dirt runners that are exiting the Tesio Stakes $125k. Cox’s Ready to Purrform #5 has not been seen since Del Mar in early November around the Breeders’ Cup. The colt had a tough trip that afternoon, and I am wondering … what the reasoning is for entering in this spot? Donegal Racing and the Eclipse-winning trainer know their business, of course, but I am thinking that the son of Kitten’s Joy just "needs one" … I actually like Shake Em Loose #8 (3rd in the Tesio) from the Sanchez-Solomon Barn, and also Mike Trombetta’s Joe #10 (1st in the Tesio). The fact that they have 2-turn experience, and have both braved some tough “Non-G” competition is inviting. Trombetta’s grass import is actually by Declaration of War, and that translates to turf ability … when it comes to the bloodline. So, it looks like these former adversaries are now going to take their respective shows to the PIM TC … Looks like a deal to me!

Selections: 8/10 (2-Deep)

LEG 4: (Race 11: Dirt, 1 1/16th, Sir Barton S., $100k, 3)

Named for a celebrated runner from the early part of the 20th century, this race will give 3-yr-olds the chance race … it isn’t The Preakness, but still … it is heated … There are a trio of colts that tried at least one KYD148 Trail contest. D.W. Lukas’ Ethereal Road #1 is probably the best-known. Entered in the Rebel S. (G2) @OP, the Blue Grass (G1), and the Lexington S. (G3), his form seemed to slip a bit … but his class stacked up nicely. Lukas puts Secret Oath’s rider, Luis Saez, in the irons, and that could be the best move he has made in the past 3 months. He is one to include for sure. As for the other “Trail riders,” I am interested in Ron Moquett’s Ruggs #10 because I backed him frequently during the Oaklawn Meet. The Arkansas-based conditioner has excellent standards, and the choice of Joel Rosario is a good one. A pair of other runners that should help round out this stage on the ticket are Mike Trombetta’s Mr Jefferson #6 (2nd in the Tesio S.), and Teresa Pompay’s Unikee #8 (2nd @KEE in an OC80kn1k). Either could jump into the winner’s circle based on their current form. In other words, even though they both just missed last time out, it doesn’t mean they cannot turn the tables here. Going 4-deep seems like a judicious move, especially considering the circs … I know I am leaving out Doug O’Neill’s B Dawk #5, but I really question whether this colt can make the class jump into what looks like a much more difficult race.

Selections: 1/6/8/10 (4-deep)

LEG 5: (Race 12: Turf, 5F, Jim McKay Turf Sprint S., $100k, 3+)

The dean of broadcasting was Jim McKay … a gentleman’s gentleman … for sure. The sprint that bears his name is normally a very tough one to ‘cap because there are just so many angles to attack. My plan is to take the easy route, and simply “Single” Brian Lynch’s Carotari #2. This well-bred gelding by Artie Schiller is “racy,” and even though he comes into PIM off a break, I think he has the ability to get this win home. Last time out in the Janus $100k at Gulfstream at the end of ’21, he went wire-to-wire. If he makes the lead, controls the fractions, and Luis Saez can be out in front down the lane, then he is sure to score. The McKay has some other options here for sure, but I like these “early types” because they can secure a victory right from the beginning of a race like this one! Now, let’s head to the highlight of the weekend … it is Preakness time!

Selections: 2 (Single)

LEG 6: (Race 13: Dirt, 1 3/16ths, Preakness S. (G1), $1.65 million, 3)

Number 147 … is … Steve Asmussen’s to win … Let’s cut to the chase, and wade through all the guff … You can talk pace … the turns at Pimlico … and any other angle that would like! But the long and the short of it is, Epicenter #8 is a “deserving favorite.” Based on his form from the Derby Trail, and coupled with his performance in KYD148, he should score the 2nd jewel in the Tri Crown. Joel Rosario did everything he could do in that celebrated race, but it just wasn’t enough to stop the charging Rich Strike. The Winchell-owned son of Not This Time exhibited some power, late in-the-game at the Fair Grounds in the LA Derby (G2). Honestly, I didn’t think he could do it … proved me wrong. This is a clear “Single” for me, and what I am hoping is that his price floats towards 9/5. That is probably wishful thinking, but you never know. Others that look inviting are, of course, D.W. Lukas’ filly, Secret Oath #4, and Saffie Joseph’s Skippylongstocking #9. Those are some runners that I would easily consider playing underneath the favorite. What is going to be particularly interesting is how Rosario handles the breakaway speed of Chad Brown’s Early Voting #5 … he cannot let him control things upfront … if Asmussen’s colt can stick close, then the race is his. That’s the way we finish the P6 … what a day!

Selections: 8 (Single)

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Ticket: 1-2 / 1-5-7-9 / 8-10 / 1-6-8-10 / 2 / 8

.20 RAINBOW ALL-STAKES P6 TICKET COST: $12.80

It’s Preakness Day on Friday! Should be a great set of races from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter … Horseracing_USA !!