DuPont and Miss Preakness selections for May 14

A pair of graded stakes races for the ladies are on the Black-Eyed Susan undercard at Pimlico on Friday. In virtually every horse race the early pace plays a major role in the outcome, and in this pair of contests in particular, I have landed on the horse that I expect to have the advantage early on. And with each selection tabbed at nice morning-line odds, I think that both affairs are very playable from a value standpoint.

Race 8 -- Allaire duPont Distaff S. (G3)

A fine group of eight will contest the nine-furlong test. I am not sure if #2 Dreamalildreamofu (10-1) is good enough to upset this strong cast for conditioner Brad Cox, but the improving filly has a lot of upside and is also the inside speed of the field. The four-year-old daughter of Commissioner is 2-for-2 in 2021, and she comes in fresh with a steady string of solid morning moves in anticipation of her most demanding assignment to date. If Geroux can get her to the front without exerting too much energy, then the Kentucky-bred could be a tough one to pass late at a price.

#3 Spice Is Nice (7-2), #4 Getridofwhatailesu (7-2), and #5 Horologist (3-1) are each in with a winning chance for sure, as well.

duPont Wagers

• $20 win #2 Dreamalildreamofu ($20)
• $2 exacta key box 2 with 3,4,5 ($12)

Race 10 -- Miss Preakness S. (G3)

A total of nine sophomore fillies will vie in the six-furlong affair. I fancied #8 Euphoric (6-1) some in the deep and talented Eight Belles S. (G2) on Kentucky Derby Day, and while she faded badly in the stretch after leading to the top of the lane, she lands in a much more reasonable spot on Friday. The chestnut daughter of Frosted had been very sharp in her first trio of assignments in 2021 prior to her setback beneath the Twin Spires, and the Empire State-bred will likely be on the lead early on with Castellano. Fleet filly is a wire-to-wire threat at a fair price.

Miss Preakness Wagers

• $40 win #8 Euphoric ($40)