150th Preakness Stakes may not present Woodford Reserve winners to the Kentucky Derby, but there are the best ones below: Derby runner-up Journalism leads the nine-year-old field, giving him much needed star power. Journalism takes away strong favorites, but the rest of the field seems to match evenly, potentially creating a great, exotic payoff.
1. Goal orientation (odds for the morning route 6-1): The undefeated Colt will take major class tests while making his stakes debut in the Triple Crown Race. He is trained by Bob Baffert. Bob Baffert is an expert who scores eight Preaknesses and wins from two weeks of rest. His connection alone makes him a candidate.
Jockey: Flavienplat; trainer: Bob Baffert
2. Journalism (8-5): A worthy favorite after a solid second in the Kentucky Derby as a favorite. You should have a great trip from this post and come close to defeating it.
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli; trainer: Michael McCarthy
3. America’s Promise (15-1): I chased a fast pace in the Kentucky Derby and was extremely exhausted. You need to get a soft pace here, but it’s hard to see him rebound with big effort in just two weeks. It’s daunting to think that 89-year-old trainer D. Wayne Lucas is aiming for a back-to-back Preakness victory.
Jockey: I’m Juarez; trainer: D. Wayne Lucas
4. Heart of Honor (12-1): Preakness’s rare European starter was beaten to the nose of the UAE Derby sponsored by Jumeirah, won by admiration Daytona, who finished last in the Kentucky Derby. That measuring stick is not very flattering.
Jockey: Saffie Osborne; trainer: Jamie Osborne
5. Pay Billy (20-1): The consistent Maryland runner won two preparations at Laurel Park for Preakness. Although there is a great running style in racing, he hasn’t raced on this track yet and needs to take a step forward to be a major factor.
Jockey: Raul Mena; trainer: Michael Gorham
6. River Thames (9-2): He was beaten to the neck with the sovereignty of the Kentucky Derby, and won the neck at the Coolmore Fountain of the Youth Stakes and third place in the Toyota Bluegrass Stakes. You can sit right away from the fast pace and look like your main rival.
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. ; trainer: Todd Plecher
7. Sandman (4-1): When he gathered from the 18th, he poses no threat to the Kentucky Derbyth He finishes in 7th place with a sloppy track. Before that, he won the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby, so was it the wet track that ran for the roses and made him derail? I understand. His slow running style usually doesn’t work well in Preakness.
Jockey: John Velazquez; trainer: Mark Cass
8. Also smart (5-1): You will need to lead or fight after a front-running victory in the Hot Springs Stakes. He hasn’t raced over 1/16 miles, so the distance may be a little longer for him.
Jockey: Jose Ortiz; trainer: Steve Asmussen
9. Gosgar (20-1): It looks like a notch below the top threat, and external posts won’t help. You need to step up here, but the morning prices are interesting.
Jockey: Lewis Thirds; trainer: Brendan Walsh
pick: Journalism
Live long shot: Goal orientation
superfecta: 2-6-1-8
