How to play

LEG A (FRIDAY, RACE 8): JOHNYZ FROM ALBANY makes his first start off a layoff but he’ll be tough if he’s ready, as he has some of the better Beyers in the field; dangerous if he can come off the turn with the lead. HELDISH has speed but can also rate and make one run, and if he can stalk the speeds he might fall into a perfect trip behind a contested pace. FORT WARREN has speed and the rail, and he makes his first start for trainer Brittany Russell, who is currently 7 for 12 at the meet (3).

LEG B (FRIDAY, RACE 12): CLAPTON merits respect in the Pimlico Special based on that win in the Ghostzapper Stakes last time, an excellent effort where he came from off the pace in a race lacking early speed. COOKE CREEK beat Clapton in an optional claimer two back and he returned to run a strong race in defeat in his latest; steps up in class but is good enough based on those last two Beyers (2).

LEG C (FRIDAY, RACE 13): Taking a shot against the undefeated Faiza, who has benefited from ideal positioning against short fields in several of her wins. TOWHEAD is widest of the 12 entered in the BlackEyed Susan but could also be quickest; she at least has the speed to stay close, and that will be an edge if the fractions are controlled. MIRACLE is another with enough early zip to be a factor from the bell; upgrade candidate after getting away slowly in the Gulfstream Park Oaks. FROSTY O TOOLE is a bit of a tough read but she has worked well since the Gazelle when she was forced to race behind tepid splits. HOOSIER PHILLY has been working very well for this race and she makes her third start off the layoff (4).

LEG D (SATURDAY, RACE 11): AL LOVES JOSIE had a legit excuse in the Frank Y. Whiteley Stakes last time. In fact, he had two excuses: he was squeezed at the start, then squeezed again in the lane when between horses at the eighth pole; prior Beyers plenty good enough. HELLO HOT ROD fits well based on his best Beyers, and he’s one of the main speeds in the Maryland Sprint, which is a little short on speed. WONDRWHERECRAIGIS is wide but he’s quick, and he comes off a game score in his seasonal debut (3).

LEG E (SATURDAY, RACE 13): Playing against Mage, who comes off two very favorable setups and figures to have to overcome the race flow in the Preakness, which is a little light on early zip. FIRST MISSION comes off a game win in the Lexington, and the resulting Beyer gives him strong credibility here; he should be able to use his positional speed to work out a forward trip, and that will be an edge given the lack of obvious pace in the field. NATIONAL TREASURE has speed and the rail and now adds blinkers; should be prominent from the start (2).

THE PLAY: 2, 3, 6 / 3, 6 / 3, 5, 6, 12 / 4, 9, 10 / 1, 8 = $72 Ticket