Unless Stronach run Pimlico Race Course decides to deny Medina Spirit’s entry due to the Derby winner’s positive test for a banned drug, the Bob Baffert trained runner should gallop out of the Preakness starting gate one of the favorites. Take a look at more info on the May 15 Preakness Stakes as well as top-graded action at Pimlico on Friday and Saturday.
Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds for the Top Stakes Races of the Week from Friday, May 14th to Saturday, May 15th. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.
Top Stakes Races for the Week: Medina Spirit Goes for Second Jewel
Pimlico Racecourse – Friday, May 14th Races
- Grade 3 Miss Preakness Stakes – 6 furlongs dirt – $150,000
At least 9 three-year-old fillies figure to contend for the winner’s share of the 2021 Miss Preakness Stakes. Among the more popular runners are Steve Asmussen trained Abrogate and Inject from the Brad Cox barn.
- Grade 3 Pimlico Special Stakes – 1 3/16 miles dirt – $250,000
Close to 10 horses figure to enter the starting gate for the $250,000 Pimlico Special. Harper’s First Ride won the 2020 race. Trainer Robertino Diodoro plans to enter Harper in the 2021 Pimlico Special. Cordmaker, Max Player, Modernist, Fearless, and Enforceable should also run.
- Grade 3 Black Eyed Susan Stakes – 1 1/8 miles dirt – $250,000
Close to a dozen runners should line up for the Grade 3 Black Eyed Susan. The favorite, no doubt, will be Bob Baffert trained Beautiful Gift. Other three-year-old fillies attracting action should be Mike Maker trained Army Wife, Willful Woman from the Steve Asmussen barn, Todd Pletcher trained Iced Latte, and Brad Cox trained Adventuring.
Pimlico Racecourse – Saturday, May 15th Races
- Grade 3 Gallorette Stakes – 1 1/16 miles turf – $150,000
Trainers Chad Brown and Graham Motion both intend to start a couple of runners in the Gallorette. Brown will put the saddle on Flighty Lady and Great Island. Motion will saddle Tuned and front-running Mean Mary. Shug McGaughey trained Vigilante’s Way could go off the chalk. Christophe Clement will saddle Feel Glorious. If Clement’s runner and Mean Mary duel on the front end, the pair could set it up for a closer.
- Grade 3 Maryland Sprint Stakes – 6 furlongs dirt – $150,000
Edgemont Road, Mucho, and Strike Power figure to attract the most action. Horseplayers shouldn’t look past either of Greg Capuano’s runners, Tappin Cat and Three Over Deuces. Capuano is one of the top trainers in Maryland.
- Grade 2 Dinner Party Stakes – 1 1/16 miles turf – $250,000
Chad Brown trained Sacred Life figures to offer favorite’s odds. Somelikeithotbrown, Midnight Tea Time, and English Bee will also attract action. Bye Bye Melvin, trained by Graham Motion, could be sitting on a big effort. Last October, the four-year-old colt finished second behind Don Juan Kitten over the Pimlico grass in the James W. Murphy.
- Grade 1 The Preakness Stakes – 1 3/16 miles – $1,000,000
Medina Spirit should have no problems running the Grade 1 Preakness on Saturday. The Bob Baffert trained colt may get disqualified from the Derby. That won’t stop Baffert from running the horse in the second jewel. But Medina Spirit won’t get as easy of a lead in the Preakness as he did in the Derby. Expect Crowded Trade, Midnight Bourbon, Ram, Concert Tour, and Rombauer to either all go to the front, or lie right off the pacesetter. The first half-mile of the Preakness should be ultra-quick.
