Things didn't go as I planned in the Kentucky Derby. My selection Thunder Snow, had his saddle slipped right out of the gate and became a bucking bronco exiting stage left on the muddy track. Longshot dream crushed before the first 100 yards.
But as a horseplayer, you need to have a short memory and not look in the rear view mirror.
On to the 142nd running of the Preakness.
ALWAYS DREAMING captured the roses and was the fifth straight favorite to win and at generous odds of 9/2. He looks extremely tough to beat today, at odds around 4/5. I'm not going to say he's a lock to win, but he's going to be awfully tough to beat down the stretch. Best opportunity of making some money if you like the favorite, is in exotic wagers. I don't think you have to be inventive or experimental for a exacta wager today, maybe use three or four runners underneath. Like I said, Always Dreaming is not a lock. Anything can happen in a race, a bad start, troubled journey, maybe he regresses and just doesn't feel like running, Horseplayers have seen it all. But if he runs like he has in all four winning starts in 2017, he will not be beat, and we're on to the Belmont for the Triple Crown in three weeks.
Contenders
ALWAYS DREAMING won the Kentucky Derby in dominating fashion and is now 4-4 for trainer Todd Pletcher. The talented three year colt has quick turn of foot to put himself on or near the lead while managing great forward position to stay out of trouble. He crushed the Derby field, and the few opponents who want the rematch today, just don't have the capability of turning the pages in my opinion. The new shooters taking a shot at the champ, will be fighting for the minor awards. Always Dreaming is strictly the horse to beat. Lone concern, he's appreciated at least a month rest between races. 14 day turnaround is brand new to him but with that said, he had plenty left in the tank finishing up two weeks ago.
CLASSIC EMPIRE will be the second betting choice at post time, and many horseplayers will be loading up with their win bets for the better price with the mild upset. He had a horrendous journey in the Derby, but managed to finish fourth with a ton of fight left. I still don't believe he would of won the Derby with a spotless trip, but would of made place honors interesting. Trainer Bob Baffert said after the Derby "Classic Empire is the only horse that can beat Always Dreaming." The two year old reigning champ, merits respect as the logical choice to pull off the upset.
HENCE hated the muddy track at Churchill Downs, but did roll late from the 19th position to finish 11th. Should get a fast track at Pimilico, and I feel is a strong contender to rebound back to form. Trainer Steve Asmussen, is pretty solid in bringing his runners back after a poor performance.
CONQUEST MO MONEY keeps moving forward with each effort and the owners took the Derby off to focus on the Preakness. Winner of three of five starts, will be the last one in, and first one out, playing catch me if you can on the lead. This is the long shot play, especially if jockey Jorge Carreno (member of the Canterbury jockey colony) can set modest fractions and milk his way to the wire.
CLOUD COMPUTING is the another new shooter with fresh legs that has a shot to make a dent in the payoffs. Young colt has only three starts but keeps improving with each effort. Desperately needs heated fractions to swoop on with his late closing kick to hit the board.
Wagering Menu:
$40 Exacta: Always Dreaming over Classic Empire
$20 Exacta Always Dreaming over Hence, Cloud Computing, and Conquest Mo Money
$100 Total
Preakness post positions and odds: Click here.
