5 Preakness 2018 weekend picks for TVG's Money Back Special
New TVG members will automatically be eligible for the Money Back Special, plus can nab a $75 deposit bonus. Existing members need only to opt in to the program. Wagers are eligible up to $10 per race!
Here, we'll look to add to our bankroll with this offer.
Friday Picks
Race 9 - Pimlico Special: #8 Something Awesome (5-1)
Something Awesome won five of his last six starts and seeks a four-bagger after the biggest score of his career in the Charles Town Classic (G2). He won his last two wet track starts, including a late running neck triumph in the General George (G3).
Race 11 - Black-Eyed Susan Stakes: #4 Red Ruby (5-1)
Red Ruby was one of four next-out winners from a productive Churchill Downs debut last fall. She made her 3-year-old bow a winning one in the Martha Washington in the slop at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 10, and was given a breather after a flat fourth as the chalk in the Honeybee (G3). She projects a decent stalking trip and can win this with a small forward move.
Race 13 - Dupont Distaff: #1 Fuhriously Kissed (5-1)
Fuhriously Kissed seems to move up on a wet track (4 2-1-1). She does not have any speed but packs a nice late punch and might run past them all under Javier Castellano.
Saturday Picks
Race 12 - Sir Barton Stakes: #2 Pony Up (7-2)
Pony Up was considered for the Preakness but wisely ended up in this more realistic spot. He has handled fast dirt, synthetic and turf, so a wet track will probably not slow him down. In his last four stakes starts, he hit the board in three while hooking decent 3-year-olds My Boy Jack, Blended Citizen, Audible and Flameaway. His numbers are slowly climbing, and he might tag the speed for John Velazquez and Todd Pletcher.
Race 13 - Preakness Stakes: #5 Good Magic (3-1)
Good Magic is the only viable alternative to Justify on the speed figure scale. He passed his first wet track test in his Derby runner-up finish, and this slightly shorter trip helps his cause. His sire, Curlin, won the Preakness 2007, and dam sire Hard Spun was third that same year. Trainer Chad Brown saddled 2017 Preakness upsetter Cloud Computing, and the 2-year-old champ Good Magic's quick turnaround should be viewed as a major positive.