The Lead:
Preakness Day at Pimlico rates among the elite days of importance and wagering handle on the American calendar. While the main event in Race 13 features standout favorite Journalism, its lead-in race, the Grade 3 $250,000 DInner Party Stakes, could prove to be far more wide-open in the betting with 13 entrants. Last year's 1-2 finishers are back for another go, but they're just 1-for-15 in the time since and have opened the door to new challengers.

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​Field Depth:
Grade 1 winner TRIKARI leads the way, while NEAT is a Grade 2 winner. BALNIKHOV and FORT WASHINGTON have amassed multiple Grade 3 victories. Those listed don't offer a big separation in terms of overall strength of schedule, making this an evenly matched crew.
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Pace:
ABRUMAR and IRISH ACES appear most likely to lead this 1-1/8 miles test that really lacks early pressure. TRIKARI could be forward given the lack of pace competition and outside draw that might necessitate some early use for position. This race looks quite capable of being won near the front end.

Our Eyes:
Here are my horse-by-horse notes.

#1-DIVIN PROPOS: Expected soft turf will play into the strength of this French export though the distance appears a bit short of his best run. Rail draw and aggressive early jockey Luis Saez may help negate dropping too far back. In the hunt.

#2-CRABS N BEER: Last year's 14-1 runner-up in the Dinner Party has struggled since and exits a disappointing local prep in the Henry S. Clark when ninth. Hard to recommend, though has enjoyed Pimlico sod and traveled over soft going last year.

#3-SIGNATOR: Dirt performer transitioned nicely to grass in winning his last 2 on turf. Won the Dinner Party prep last out in the Henry S. Clark with a rallying score at 1 mile. Needs to pace to go quicker than it projects to have his best chance, however, for reputable trainer Shug McGaughey.

#4-NEAT: Has won of very firm and yielding courses in a well-traveled career. An even fourth last out in the Henry S. Clark at Laurel as the 2-1 favorite and this miler will see how much finish he can muster over 9 furlongs for the first time. Joel Rosario takes the call.

#5-ABRUMAR: Potential pace player for Saffie Joseph Jr. was a solid third last year on Preakness Day in the Jimmy Murphy Stakes against then-fellow 3-year-olds. Promising third against elders for the first time in March in Gulfstream's Appleton and has won in this second-off-the-layoff form cycle in the past. Threat under Jose Ortiz.

#6-BALNIKHOV: Defending champion won this race over a total bog last year, so no course condition should be considered out of touch for him. But it's the recent form of this $1.1 million earner that is a concern at age 6. Flavien Prat rides for Phil D'Amato, which never hurts, but prefer others in better recent patterns.

#7-CASH EQUITY: Consistent 7-year-old just hasn't had a victory in his last 17 starts and that makes him tough to recommend on top despite the Ramsey-Saffie Joseph Jr.-Irad Ortiz Jr troika. First trip over the Pimlico course, though French pedigree and distant experience back in 2020-'21 overseas may indicate a liking for the softer going.

#8-CRYSTAL QUEST: Twice a runner-up over soft going behind Dinner Party return rival Fulmineo, Maryland-based trainer Mike Trombetta brings this one home off a career-best win in the Turf Classic at Tampa Bay Downs. Paco Lopez rides the deep closer, which may not be the perfect style fit with that front-running jockey, but there's a lot to like with last year's Jimmy Murphy alum who handles this kind of course.

#9-IRISH ACES: Aggressively handled on the front end at Keeneland last time out in allowance company and banking on that same sort of approach Saturday. Jockey Umberto Rispoli will be aboard for the first time as he prepares for Preakness favorite Journalism in the next on the card. Many of this one's best races have been with Lasix, but has won without it. Trainer Brendan Walsh exits a career-best Keeneland meeting when he tied Brad Cox for the title.

#10-FORT WASHINGTON: Late-running veteran scored the Grade 3 Canadian Turf by a nose last out and has a penchant for close shaves. Last 3 wins have been by a head, nose and dead-heat among 5 tight photos in his last 12 starts. Damside pedigree hints that he'll handle the soft going for Shug McGaughey.

#11-FULMINEO: Back-to-back soft turf wins last year in the Jimmy Murphy on the Preakness undercard and subsequent Boston Stakes at Colonial Downs give confidence with the conditions. Respected Mid-Atlantic turf trainer Arnaud Delacour got the necessary prep from this one when a rallying third in the Henry S. Clark after a about 7 months away. Should be a major contender even if late-running style doesn't get a perfect set-up.

#12-DESVIO: Last year's Kent Stakes winner and Virginia Derby third-place finisher never threatened at big odds in the Henry S. Clark last time out to open his 4-year-old season. Scored a soft-turf win in allowance company on the 2024 Preakness undercard, so he'll be acclimated to the situation. Recent form indicates he'll need major improvement.

#13-TRIKARI: One of the very best 3-year-old American turfers of 2024, this Graham Motion trainee returned April 11 at Keeneland with a credible third in the Grade 1 Maker's Mark Mile behind an elite performance from Carl Spackler. Difficult post position for the morning line favorite and his best races do appear to be over firmer turf than he'll see Saturday. Can't take a short price with confidence but also can't negate his chances with conviction.

Most Likely Exotics Contender:
No cinches here, but IRISH ACES should get a great trip near the front and has 7 superfecta finishes in his last 8 starts. Hangs for a share ... if he doesn't take them all the way.

Best Longshot Contender:
Pace players IRISH ACES (10-1) and ABRUMAR (20-1) would fit this billing.

Sending it in ($100 bankroll):
$1 trifecta key IRISH ACES over FORT WASHINGTON, DIVIN PROPOS, FULMINEO, TRIKARI, ABRUMAR, CRYSTAL QUEST, NEAT ($42). $34 win IRISH ACES. $2 exacta backwheel ALL-IRISH ACES ($24).