Preakness 146 Horse Profile: Ram
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 Ram...
Sean's Take...
Ram (#1): He’s won his last two races, including a decisive score over older allowance foes in his last race on the Derby undercard, and now his connections are taking a huge swing in this spot as he jumps all the way up to G1 company. His trainer D. Wayne Lukas obviously knows his way around a Triple Crown winner, but there’s nothing about this horse’s past performances that indicate he’s ready for an assignment like this. He’s borderline impossible to use in any capacity, even the deepest of exotic wagers.
J.N.'s Take...
Back on KYD147 Day, we witnessed what in the past was a familiar sight, trainer D. Wayne Lukas and his distinctive cowboy hat, celebrating yet another victory in the winner’s circle after a Thoroughbred race. His colt, a runner out of American Pharoah, looked mighty game against ALLW Co. on the Derby undercard.
It was a nice class leap, especially considering that the contest before was a Maiden Claiming event. This try around 1-turn under the Spires, resulted in a 3+ length win that was celebrated by Irad Ortiz. Trying to find a horse at 9/1 with that jockey aboard is not easy, but the connections were happy to have him serve as pilot. If Lukas could arrange to have him return, it would go a long way to instigating a possible upset.
The Lukas Legend continues to roll on. What a difference a year makes . . . this HOF conditioner almost died from COVID-19. His wife was instrumental in nursing him back to health, and now, he returns to try and win his 7th Preakness! Can he tie Bob Baffert and R. Wyndham Walden on the all-time list . . . stay tuned!
You can bet on Preakness 146 with any of our betting partners - AMWager, BetAmerica, TVG and TwinSpires. Just click on the odds of the horse you want to back on our Race Card below and take advantage of their sign-up offers for new customers...
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.
