Pimlico and Preakness Horse Racing Picks for Saturday 5/15/21
It's a great time to dive into horse racing, and FanDuel Racing gives you the chance to do just that.
Starting at 10:30 a.m. EST, we have 14 races at Pimlico Race Course. Using numberFire’s projections as a guide, here are some of the best bets.
As always, check the program for scratches and changes, and monitor the weather and track conditions.
(I will reference Equibase's Speed Figure in selected races, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions.)
Completed Pass and The Critical Way, Race 10
FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2 and 5/2
Race 10 is the Jim McKay Turf Sprint at 5 furlongs. It’s one of the deepest races on the Preakness Day card, and it is the second leg of the Late Pick 5. numberFire's data along with Guaranteed Tip Sheet have Completed Pass (7/2) and The Critical Way (5/2) as main win contenders.
Completed Pass has finished in the money in 9-of-11 at this distance, according to Horse Racing Radar. The Critical Way -- numberFire's pick to win -- will likely be pushing the pace near the lead, while The Connector (8/1) may like the hot pace and is shooting for his sixth win in his last nine starts. Hollis (6/1) is the defending champ.
Kuramata and Somelikeithotbrown, Race 12
FanDuel Racing Odds: 6/1 and 4/1
Race 12 is the $250,000 Dinner Party Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. Sacred Life (7/5) -- numberFire's top pick -- is a solid favorite and will likely try to win this from off the pace. Somelikeithotbrown (4/1) should be running on the lead with proven strong early- and mid-pace speed figures. Don’t be surprised if stakes newcomer Kuramata (6/1) challenges and realizes his potential with top jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. riding for top EPO trainer Chad Brown.
Midnight Bourbon and Concert Tour, Race 13
FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/1 and 5/2
Race 13 is the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes. Favorite Medina Spirit (9/5) is the top pick by numberFire projections with stablemate Concert Tour (5/2) and Midnight Bourbon (5/1) capable of topping the controversial Kentucky Derby winner.
The pace should be set by Concert Tour and Medina Spirit with Midnight Bourbon tracking closer and looking to reserve energy. Longshot Rombauer (12/1) offers value and will likely be trying to close from off the pace. Horse Racing Radar projects Preakness favorite Medina Spirit to get upset by stablemate Concert Tour, which would still give trainer Bob Baffert his record eighth Preakness Stakes victory.
