2017 Preakness one-liners

Following on from my one-line synopses of the Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders, here are my “one-liners” for the 142nd Preakness (G1) field, in post position order:

#1 Multiplier displayed a potent late kick when getting up in a fast-run Illinois Derby (G3), and his gaudy 104 BRIS Speed rating at Hawthorne indicates he fits at this level.

#2 Cloud Computing earned high marks for his second after chasing the rapid Gotham (G3) pace, only to finish a sluggish-start third in the Wood Memorial (G2), and seeks to put it all together.

#3 Hence can be forgiven his 11th in the sloppy Derby and shapes as a rebound candidate if reverting to his top effort in the Sunland Derby (G3).

#4 Always Dreaming, the one to beat in view of his sparkling victory in the Kentucky Derby, projects another forwardly placed passage from an inside draw.

#5 Classic Empire ran arguably the best race in the Derby aside from the winner, finishing fourth despite a brutal trip, and the champion can turn the tables from his perch on Always Dreaming’s outside flank.

#6 Gunnevera, a tough-trip seventh in the Derby, would factor late if able to cycle back to his fine winter form from Gulfstream Park.

#7 Term of Art appears out of his depth after four straight drubbings in Santa Anita’s sophomore series, but the royally bred colt could theoretically wake up with the blinkers back on and the step up in trip.

#8 Senior Investment enters off a high in the Lexington (G3), suggesting he’s more capable than his prior sixth in the Louisiana Derby (G2), but he needs to keep improving.

#9 Lookin at Lee capitalized on his inside trip to finish runner-up in the Derby, after a better-than-appears third to Classic Empire in the Arkansas Derby (G1), and promises to come running late again.

#10 Conquest Mo Money’s gritty second in Arkansas was boosted thanks to Lookin at Lee and Classic Empire’s performances at Churchill, and the pace factor can take them a long way into the stretch.

Photo of Classic Empire collaring Conquest Mo Money at Oaklawn courtesy of Coady Photography