\

Happy Preakness Stakes Week! What an outstanding weekend of racing it should be in Baltimore for the second leg of the Triple Crown. As always, 1/ST BET and Xpressbet have a couple of promotions to help make the big days of racing at Pimlico even better, including the return of the $20,000 Exacta-Thon since it was so popular two weeks ago.

In order to take part, remember to first register on the promotional landing page. Then, for those who missed things during Derby week, the goal is to connect on six $2 exactas over the course of the Friday and/or Saturday card. Those who do will split $8,000 (each day). An additional $2,000 per day will go to the customer(s) who connects on the most exactas.

Here are a few plays I plan to make in my attempt to get a slice of the $10k on Black-Eyed Susan Day. Check back tomorrow for my Preakness Day thoughts!

Race 10, Miss Preakness (G3)

I like this 6-furlong sprint over the main track for 3YO fillies because I am willing to fade the favorites. 7-2-ML choice #12 Vodka With a Twist has the best resume and has taken on the toughest company, but feels like a filly that peaked earlier than most of her crop. The cutback could help, but I am willing to let her beat me. Same is true of second choice of #6 Stunner who was hammered down to 4-5-favoritism last out in the Beaumont (G2) at Keeneland, but was no match for the eventual winner despite being inside speed on a day where being upfront was definitely favorable.

I like #5 Family most. The Sharp Azteca filly won impressively on debut at Turfway Park for trainer Michelle Elliott before running a big second against allowance foes in late March over the all-weather. She apparently was privately purchased in some capacity after that run because C2 Racing is part of the ownership group and Saffie Joseph Jr. has taken over training duties. She has serious speed and is capable of besting this group if she takes to the main track.

I will use Family as my key horse and play her with the logical #8 Echo Sound and longshot #1 Hollygrove. Echo Sound enters her 3YO debut 3 for 4 with a second for trainer Rusty Arnold. She may need one off the bench, but ran well in her first career start and gets Luis Saez. Hollygrove rode a good rail two-back in the Valdale at Turfway Park, but also has proven form over the dirt. She is worth including at her 20-1-morning line price.

Plays:
Exacta 5 with 1+8
Exacta Key Box 5 with 1+8

//

Race 13: Black-Eyed Susan (G2)

This year’s Grade 2 for 3YO fillies at 9-furlongs drew a competitive field of nine where the morning line favorite appears vulnerable once again. #4 Runnin N Gunnin was made the 5-2-choice after her off the pace third in the Fantasy (G2) in late March. No doubt the top two finishers in that spot would be the ones to beat in this year’s Black-Eyed Susan, but this filly was never close to being a threat. Sure, she was caught wide into the first turn in Arkansas, but she is far from a stand out.

Second choice #3 Margie’s Intention might end up going off the favorite despite facing only Louisiana-breds thus far. The Honor A.P. filly came up short in both state-bred stakes tries at Fair Grounds, but did lose to a legitimate runner both times in Blue Fire. The Steve Asmussen filly wired out Margie’s Intention in back-to-back races in New Orleans before proving her class by finishing second in the Eight Belles (G2) on Kentucky Oaks Day. She attracts Flavien Prat and fits well on numbers.

I will use the Cajun-bred as well as late running #7 Reply, but I like #8 Amarth most. The McKinzie filly makes her third start off the break after being caught wide early at a big price in the Ashland (G1) on a day where the inside was the place to be. Her second-place finish two-back in New York to Kentucky Oaks runner-up Drexel Hill might be good enough to win this, plus she should be primed for her best on Friday afternoon.

Plays:
Exacta 8 with 3+7
Exacta 8-7