Pimlico Race Course, the second oldest track in America, readies for next week’s 150th running of the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of thoroughbred horse racing’s Triple Crown. But fans looking to get a head start on the action can do so this Friday, May 9, as the meet begins with a nine-race card and a popular 50-cent Late Pick 4 wager that shapes up this way:

PIM 6th race (2:55 p.m. EST) -- REGAL MISS LILY spotted the field several lengths when she broke in the air in her debut, but she advanced quickly on the rail into contention on the turn. She couldn’t keep up with the lead trio – two who came back to win -- on a sloppy track. She should retain good betting value with a few high-profile barns represented and is a must use in the leadoff leg with the addition of blinkers. BRIGHTNESS chased the 4-1 winner in the 4-path and ‘kept on with good energy’ in an improved second start on a day when 3 of 4 dirt sprints were won in wire-to-wire fashion. Eric Camacho rode two horses for top trainer Brittany Russell in the last 3 years. Post Time won at first asking and blossomed into a Grade II winner, Breeders’ Cup runner-up and a millionaire. Silver Trinket ran second at 7-5 odds in her debut at this level. It’s a point worth nothing, but for value purposes, I’ll pass on MA MA MA MY MEKOMA in the Pick 4.

PIM 7th race (3:28 p.m. EST) -- SAKETUMI blew past the favored pace setter in a ‘key’ turf route two starts back, a performance that was bolstered when Major Thomas came back to win an allowance and place in a grass stakes race. He raced close-up behind a fast pace in a follow-up try on the lawn at 1-1/16 miles, but was no match for the deep closers. WISH ME HOME, a $268k turf earner with a 24/6-3-6 record, returns home for his seasonal debut and runs for the cheapest tag of his career. Classy 10-year-old BODE’S MAKER is reunited with trainer Jamie Ness, who won four consecutive turf routes when he first claimed the gelding three years ago. He is 7-for-16 on turf, 6-for-12 with Ness and a major player yet again. (Note: If the race is taken off the turf, add #3 YOUR ANALYSIS to the ticket.)

PIM 8th race (4:01 p.m. EST) -- TRES ARIES ran a scare into the 3-to-5 winner at 7F as her three-race winning streak ended. She takes another confident class hike for trainer Claudio Gonzalez, who excels with claims and is 18-for-102 the last three years on the sprint-to-route angle. Her uncoupled stablemate, ROSIEONTHERIVER, rallied for photo-finish victories at three distances in her last six starts. MISCHIEF IN MOTION arrives from Tampa Bay Downs off an impressive second-out victory going long for the first time. She stalked the pace under a ‘snug hold’ and took command when asked. The $525,000 sales buy is working forwardly for her return from a three-month layoff.

PIM 9th race (4:34 p.m. EST) -- DARK LUTE disappeared as a debut favorite in an 11-horse field at Turfway Park, but can’t be discounted as the lightweight in a field of unproven routers. His stablemate, MAMBA MINDSET, draws the rail and has three recent third-place finishes to summon, the latest at 6F when finishing behind the two favorites who both returned with victories. GOLD ASPEN failed at 5-2 odds or less in his last five starts and is difficult to take as one of a handful of underperformers in this barn. TYSON’S DELIVERY, the son of 2018 Breeders Cup Classic winner Accelerate, goes long for the first time and can use his speed well after chasing the 1-to-9 winner last out. PARLAY FOR DESTINY was eased as a beaten favorite repeater, but he is a good fit on his best effort and a 2nd-of-68 workout in :48-1/5 since his last start is a good sign.

Suggested 50-Cent Ticket
PIM 6th Race: 1, 5
PIM 7th Race: 8, 9, 11
PIM 8th Race: 2, 3, 6
PIM 9th Race: 1, 4, 6, 7
Cost: $36