Taking a punt on this weekend’s Preakness Stakes? We have two bets you should be considering!
After picking out the winner in both the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks, we’re back with more racing picks for the next Classic – the Preakness Stakes.
The 1m1f contest gets underway on Saturday at Plimico, with a start time of 7:01pm ET at the Baltimore track.
As usual, we have picked out two runners for the big race, with today’s selections hovering around 3/1 and 20/1.
Here are the best selections for this year’s Preakness Stakes.
BEST BET: FIRST MISSION (8)
While Mage is very clearly the one to beat in this race, there could be some value in backing the current second favourite here.
First Mission makes his first start in Grade 1 company, after pushing on late to claim victory in the Grade 3 Stonestreet Lexington Stakes at Keeneland last month.
That form has been boosted in recent weeks, with third place Disarm running a cracker in the Kentucky Derby to finish fourth at 27/1.
Brad Cox’s colt carries some interest in terms of exposure and pedigree, with the three-year-old being the son of 2007 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense.
First Mission only has three runs under his belt so far, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Godolphin-owned colt show further progression here.
First Mission’s price has been hovering around the 3/1 mark as of Thursday morning, but it is likely he will be well backed by the time the race starts.
VALUE TIP: PERFORM (6)
After a patchy two-year-old campaign, Perform seems to have found his feet in the last few months.
Claude McGaughey’s recruit has showed hints of promise last year, and he finally delivered at the fifth time of asking in a maiden at Tampa Bay Downs in March.
The three-year-old built on that effort with success in the Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Park, seeing off Ninetyprcentmaddie by a head.
The colt has now been stepped up rapidly in class, with McGaughey handing him his toughest test to date.
His pedigree holds some interest, as he is by Good Magic, who also sired market favourite and Kentucky Derby winner Mage.
The 1m1f trip should be right under Perform’s street, and he could well outrun his early odds of 20/1s here.
