Preakness 146 Horse Profile: Risk Taking
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 Risk Taking...
Sean's Take...
Risk Taking (#9): It’s interesting to see that his sharp connections are getting aggressive placing him here after he was entered in the G3 Peter Pan last Saturday, a race in which he would’ve been a heavy favorite. That may be a vote of confidence for him, or it could just be his trainer Chad Brown and owner Klaravich Stables sensing an opportunity in a winnable edition of this race, though either way I’m not sure top prize is within reach for this rather ordinary runner. Unlike his stablemate Crowded Trade he does seem to have the requisite stamina, however he’s coming off a brutal seventh-place finish in the G2 Wood Memorial as the favorite and will need to improve off his prior win in the G3 Withers just to have a shot at a minor award.
J.N.'s Take...
Seth Klarman has a soft spot for Preakness Weekend, as it was the site of his lone victory in a Triple Crown race for the red “KS” with Cloud Computing a few years back. Team Chad Brown decided to scratch this one out of the Peter Pan (G3) at Belmont, and instead take a chance on entering this one in the big race next Saturday. It was a good move because it gives Klaravich the opportunity for yet another score.
The son of Medaglia d’Oro, this “KS” speedster was nowhere to be found at the finish in the Wood (G2). He simply didn’t show. It was a crowded day at the wire, so maybe it was for the best. Clearly, his best race to date was the Withers (G3) at Aqueduct back in early February. If Brown has him cranked up again, like he did then, maybe he can make a charge and bring his barn another Preakness win? Will see . . .
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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.