Preakness undercard: Key these 3 horses Saturday at Pimlico
The Preakness will go off as race 13 of 14 on Saturday's card at Pimlico, which means there are 12 opportunities to build your bankroll prior to the main event.
There are five different Pick 5 sequences offered on Saturday, plus two additional Pick 5 sequences that combine select Friday and Saturday races with a low 12 percent takeout. There are also a plethora of rolling doubles, Pick 3s and Pick 4s throughout the card.
With so many options on the wagering menu, it is vital to zero in on a few key horses to single around in these sequences. Below are three horses that I will be singling in my horizontal wagers.
Race 3: Magic Express
Mirahmadi will be a popular single in this race at 7-5 on the morning-line for Bob Baffert. In theory, his second-place finish in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) should make him a standout, but he faced no pressure that day when his stablemate was the only other pace presence. He could not defeat maidens in his prior three starts. A maiden coming off a layoff and breaking from the rail, while facing older rivals for the first time, is not a good investment. Magic Express has a better draw, tactical speed and the consistent figures to make him a standout. He will appreciate cutting back from seven furlongs to six furlongs and should have no problem handling this field.
Race 4: Sweet Shild O Mine
This filly will greatly appreciate returning to a sprint after tiring at one mile last out. Sweet Shild O Mine has developed nicely in her 4-year-old season and will be tough to beat if she repeats her last sprint effort in March. She owns a strong second in the slop and is bred to enjoy an off-track if rain hits Pimlico on Saturday. She is the speed of the speed in this field and should be long gone on the front-end.
Race 9: Fulmineo
I am assuming this stakes race remains on the turf and if it does, Fulmineo will be tough to beat for Arnaud Delacour and Flavien Prat. Aside from the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, he owns a win and three seconds in four starts on the turf. He acquitted himself well against older rivals last out and will appreciate facing his own age once more. He will race with blinkers for the first time which is a move Delacour specializes in, connecting at 33 percent.