5/15/21 Pimlico Preakness Pick 4 - Preview

“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars." - Og Mandino

And we're back.

I won't bore you all with yet another recounting of the health issues that I've been facing recently; but I do hope you'll allow me to once again express my gratitude for all the kind words, thoughts, and prayers that so many of you have expressed on my behalf.  I also want to take a moment to give a word of praise to all the care givers who have been working to make me well; both at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Franklin.  There are no words that can adequately express how truly thankful I am to each and every one of those that I encountered in this latest journey; but please know that all you mean so very much to me, and I will forever cherish the memory of all that each of you did on my behalf.

And so now as we begin our return to normality let's get to it, as I take a run at The Pick Four at Pimlico ending with the Preakness Stakes.

RACE 10 - The Jim McKay Turf Sprint $100k - Five Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 4 The Critical Way (Morning Line 5-2)

B's

# 1 Boldor (ML 6-1)

# 5 Hollis (ML 6-1)

# 13 Completed Pass (ML 7-2)

C's

# 2 The Connector (ML 8-1)

# 3 Grab the Gold (ML 30-1)
# 6 Jammer (ML 50-1)

# 7 Dubini (ML 15-1)

# 8 Love You Much (ML 20-1)

# 9 Robey's Boy (ML 30-1)
# 10 Push to Start (ML 30-1)
# 11 Firecrow (ML 10-1)
# 12 So Street (ML 15-1)

The Critical Way, Show finisher in the Grade 2 Shakertown at Keeneland last time out, should appreciate the class relief he is getting here.  Boldor looks capable of pressing and passing the pacesetters, though the rail draw did Boldor no favors.

Hollis is the defending champ for this event, having won last October's running at final odds of 11-1, getting under the wire a neck in front of Place finisher Completed Pass.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 11 - The Maryland Sprint (Grade 3) - Six Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 5 Strike Power (ML 7-2)

B's

# 1 Laki (ML 6-1)

# 2 Yodel E. A. Who (ML 8-1)

# 4 Frosted Grace (ML 15-1)

# 7 Breezy Gust (ML 6-1)

C's

# 3 Mucho (ML 15-1)

# 6 Threes Over Deuces (ML 20-1)

# 8 Special Reserve (ML 9-2)

# 9 War Tocsin (ML 30-1)
# 10 Lebda (ML 12-1)
# 11 Seven Nation Army (ML 5-1)

Strike Power is trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Jockey Ricardo Santana, Jr, the combo that has won the last two runnings of the this event (Santana has actually been onboard the winner each of the last three runnings, having crossed under the wire first with Whitmore in 2017 for Trainer Ron Moquett).

Laki, winner of the Frank Frank Whiteley last time out, tends to run well over this main track, though the fact that Laki has disappointed as the Post Time Favorite in six of his last nine contests is a little disconcerting.  Yodel E. A. Who can win from anywhere on the track.

Frosted Grace and Breezy Gust are two that could move up with the cutback in distance.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 12 - The Dinner Party (Grade 2) - Eight and a Half Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 5 Sacred Life (Fr) (ML 7-5)

B's

# 1 Somelikeithotbrown (ML 4-1)

# 2 English Bee (ML 8-1)

C's

# 3 Kuramata (Ire) (ML 6-1)

# 4 Midnight Tea Time (ML 10-1)

# 6 Talk Or Listen (Ire) (ML 8-1)
# 7 Flying Scotsman (ML 15-1)
# 8 Bye Bye Melvin (ML 10-1)

Sacred Life (Fr), Show finisher in the Grade 1 Maker's Mark Mile last time out, looks classiest here.  Somelikeithotbrown took the Place in last year's running of this event.

English Bee could improve off the layoff.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 13 - The Preakness (Grade 1) - Nine and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 3 Medina Spirit (ML 9-5)

B's

# 4 Crowded Trade (ML 10-1)

# 10 Concert Tour (ML 5-2)

C's

# 1 Ram (ML 30-1)
# 2 Keepmeinmind (ML 15-1)
# 5 Midnight Bourbon (ML 5-1)
# 6 Rombauer (ML 12-1)
# 7 France Go de Ina (ML 20-1)
# 8 Unbridled Honor (ML 15-1)

# 9 Risk Taking (ML 15-1)

Medina Spirit, winner of this year's running of the Kentucky Derby (at least, for now) and stablemate Concert Tour look best here.  Expect both to be forwardly placed early.  Should it all fall apart on the front end, Crowded Trade could be the one running best late.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing my tickets in modified Crist fashion, I get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 4 with 5 with 5 with 3 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 1,4,5,13 with 1,2,4,5,7 with 1,2,5 with 3,4,10 $90.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 2,3,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 with 5 with 5 with 3 $4.50

$0.50 P4: 4 with 3,6,8,9,10,11 with 5 with 3 $3.00

$0.50 P4: 4 with 5 with 3,4,6,7,8 with 3 $2.50

$0.50 P4: 4 with 5 with 5 with 1,2,5,6,7,8,9 $3.50

Total: $104.50

Post Time for Race 10 is 4:05 EDT / 1:05 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo