Correll’s Corner: Preakness 149, is Mystic Dan vulnerable ?

Ron Correll
Senior columnist
Tracksideview —-

TRINITY, Fla. – The 149th Preakness Stakes on May 18 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore drew only three contenders from the Kentucky Derby. Mystik Dan, Catching Freedom and Just Steel were the only ones to sign up the the mile-and-three-sixteenths affair.

They will face six new shooters, one of which comes out of the Pat Day Mile run at Churchill Downs on the same day as the Derby.

We will take a look at the field and then I’ll give my thoughts on the race.

1 – Mugatu (Sire: Blofeld) was fifth in the Blue Grass and only has one win in 12 starts. Trained by Jeff Engler. Morning line 20-1, Toss.

2 – Uncle Heavy (Social Inclusion) was fifth in the Wood Memorial. Trained by Robert Reid Jr. 20-1, Toss.

3 – Catching Freedom (Constitution) was fourth in Derby. Trained by Brad Cox. 6-1, Use underneath.

4 – Muth – Scratched.

5 – Mystik Dan (Goldencents) won the Kentucky Derby, but trainer Ken McPeek said colt doesn’t run well on short rest. 5-2, Use underneath.

6 – Seize the Grey (Arrogate) won the Pat Day Mile and could be part of the speed. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas. 15-1, Use underneath.

7 – Just Steel (Justify) was part of the early pace in the Derby, but that’s not his running style. Joel Rosario gets the ride in the Preakness Trained by D. Wayne Lukas. 15-1. Toss.

8 – Tuscan Gold (Medaglia d’ Oro) was third in Louisiana Derby. Trained by Chad Brown. 8-1, Use underneath.

9 – Imagination (Into Mischief) was second in the Santa Anita Derby and is trained by Bob Baffert. 6-1, Win candidate.

With the scratch of Muth, Mystik Dan will be the favorite, but I think he’s returning on short rest, which has not played well for him in the past. Imagination should be the speed and he might get company from Seize the Grey but the pace won’t be blistering, which will hamper the closers. Imagination should have enough left to kick away at the top of the stretch. The colts I have listed as underneath I would use in exactas and trifectas.