WASHINGTON — Sloppy. Muddy. Soupy
Listed above are the more than likely weather conditions when it comes to the 141st edition of the Preakness Stakes this Saturday in Baltimore.
Along with the challenges that the jockeys and their respective thoroughbreds will endure when it comes to the elements, it certainly does not make it easy for horse racing handicappers when building a winning ticket.
Storm Team 4 Meteorologist Lauryn Ricketts doesn’t sound optimistic about a beautiful afternoon at Pimlico:
The odds are in the Mid Atlantic’s favor for heavy rain through the day on Saturday. In fact, it looks like a washout for the 141st running of the Preakness Stakes. An area of low pressure will move northeast out of the lower Mississippi Valley, spreading rain into Saturday. Rain will continue all day, dropping more than an inch of rain through the region and perhaps in Baltimore. Temperatures will stay in the mid- to-upper 50s for the duration of the day. It looks like the rain could lighten up slightly by the 6:18 p.m. race time; however, don’t expect it to be completely dry. Occasional rain and drizzle will continue long into the evening.
Looks like a washout at #Pimlico for the 141st running of the #PreaknessStakes! Temps in the 50s/winds 10-15mph pic.twitter.com/b5xl6keHfI
— Lauryn Ricketts (@laurynricketts) May 19, 2016
One thing is for certain: Nyquist needs to be on your card no matter how much it rains and how bad the track conditions are. The Kentucky Derby winner will look to win his ninth race in a row measuring up against the rest of the 10 horses in the field.
Here’s how I see the competitors finishing on Saturday:
WIN: Nyquist
No-brainer here. Nyquist is the real deal and should gallop into the winner’s circle victorious with his sights set on joining American Pharoah in the fraternity of Triple Crown winners.
If you’re worried about a sloppy track for Nyquist being a concern, don’t be. Nyquist loves to run out in front and if he’s able to get a strong start out of the gate, he’ll kick up dirt that will get in the faces of both the horses and their respective jockeys. Even if the 3-year-old colt does get off to a bad start, when the rest of the field only totals 10 horses, he shouldn’t have too much of an issue making up ground.
PLACE: Stradivari
This speed horse drew a very favorable post position on the outside, and will be able to keep an eye on Nyquist for the majority of the race.
Stradivari is relatively new to the scene, having just three starts to his resume. Yet the lightly tested colt has won his past two starts by a combined 25-3/4 lengths and has been prepped by renowned trainer Todd Pletcher.
Nyquist’s trainer Doug O’Neill has said he fears Stradivari on more than one occasion. I think he certainly should, even more than the second favorite in the Preakness and the horse I predict will finish third: Exaggerator.
SHOW: Exaggerator
As alluded, Exaggerator comes into Saturday at 3-1 odds as of Thursday night — only Nyquist is more favorable at 3-5. The second place finisher at Churchill Downs two weeks ago won the Santa Anita Derby with tough track conditions just like we’re expecting Saturday, so we know the weather won’t be a huge issue for the Derby runner-up.
The Desormeaux brothers are a nice story, but Exaggerator is 0-for-4 against Nyquist and I don’t see enough to think he can spoil his bid to make a run at the Triple Crown like American Pharoah last year.
If I was heading to the track with $50:
$20 WIN: #11
$4 TRIFECTA BOX (Costs $24): 3-11-5
$6 SUPERFECTA: 3-11-5-7
