Preakness Horse Racing Picks for Saturday 5/21/22
Starting at 10:30 p.m. EST, we have 14 races at Pimlico Race Course. Using numberFire’s projections as a guide, here are some of the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing.
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).
Ethereal Road and Unikee, Race 11
FanDuel Racing Odds: 3/1 and 4//1
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Race 11 is the $1000K Sir Barton Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles. The numberFire data picks Ethereal Road (3/1) to win followed by Unikee (4/1) and Mr. Jefferson (6/1).
Ethereal Road skipped the Kentucky Derby to run here, and he’s face the tougher competition. He finished 2nd in the Rebel and 4th in the Lexington with his fastest speed figure (94).
Unikee’s last race was better than it looked as his fractions were fast while running on the front end going longer before getting caught late to finish second. He won and broke his maiden in March with a 101 speed figure.
Grateful Bred and Smokin' Jay, Race 12
FanDuel Racing Odds: 6/1 and 6/1
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Race 12 is the $100K Jim McKay Turf Sprint at 5 furlongs. The numberFire projections like the favorite Carotari (9/5) to prevail followed by Smokin’ Jay (6/1) and Seven Scents (4/1).
Carotari is the most consistent performer in the field and won 3-times last year but hasn’t raced since December.
Smokin’ Jay is a strong runner with 3 wins and 2 runner up finishes last year. He has the speed to challenge the favorite.
Grateful Bred is one to watch and undefeated in two starts at Pimlico. He’s coming off one his best races finishing runner-up in his 2022 debut, and he has bullet work in place.
Secret Oath and Epicenter, Race 13
FanDuel Racing Odds: 9/2 and 6/5
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Race 13 is the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 3/16 miles. Nine runners are lined up for the second jewel of the Triple Crown, and the numberFire projects the filly Secret Oath (9/2) to take down the favorite, Epicenter (6/5) with Early Voting (7/2) also hitting the board.
