Preakness 150: The second jewel, almost

By Ron Correll
Senior columnist
Tracksideview —-

TRINITY, Fla. – The 150th Preakness Stakes is May 17 at Pimlico in Baltimore, Md., and three colts from the Kentucky Derby have moved on to this race. Regrettably, the connections of Derby winner Sovereighty chose not to. That means there will not be a Triple Crown on the line this year.

Three colts from the Derby will run in the Preakness. They are Journalism (second), Sandman (seventh) and American Promise (sixteenth).

Here’s a quick look at the nine-horse field from the pole-position out.

1) Goal Oriented (Not This Time) won a second-level allowance race at Churchill Down on May 3. He is unbeaten in two starts and is trained by Bob Baffert. He could be part of the pace and he is is 6-1 on the morning line.

2) Journalism (Curlin) is trained by Michael McCarthy and his connections took their time deciding on this race. If he’s ready to run he shouldn’t have any problems with this group. 8-5.

3) American Promise (Justify) never was factor in the Derby after trying to press the pace for six furlongs. But trainer D. Wayne Lukas never saw a race he didn’t want to be in. 15-1.

4) Heart of Honor (Honor AP) was second in the UAE Derby but I thought that was a very slow race. 12-1.

5) Pay Billy (Improbable) won the Fedrico Tesio, which is the local prep at Pimlico for the Preakness. I think he’s a cut below the top three or four colts. 20-1.

6) River Thames (Maclean’s Music) skipped the Derby after finishing third in the Blue Grass. Todd Pletcher trains, so a lot of bettors will take him seriously. Use him underneath. 9-2.

7) Sandman (Tapit) will take some money based on what he did in the Arkansas Derby. How did that workout in the Run for the Roses? 4-1.

8) Clever Again (American Pharoah) is trained by Steve Asmussen and won the Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 30. He got a 108 speed figure and has a serious shot. 5-1.

9) Gosger (Nyquist) won the Stonestreet Lexington Stakes on April 12 at Keeneland. I’ll pass on this guy. 20-1.

If Journalism is ready to go, he’s my choice. I don’t think McCarthy would have entered him if he had any questions about him. I would give a look at Clever Again and Goal Oriented. Then you could follow up with Sandman and River Thames for trifectas and superfectas.