Stakes Spot Plays for 2023 Preakness Day

A huge day will be hosted by Pimlico on Saturday, with nine stakes races on the slate, led by the $1.5 million Preakness S. (G1). I found a few black-type races of interest to me on the undercard and will attempt to pad my bankroll in advance of the second leg of the Triple Crown.

Race 6 – Chick Lang S. (G3)

The six-furlong dash on the main course will see seven go postward, and I will take a shot with #2 Ryvit (7-2) for conditioner Steve Asmussen. The son of Competitive Edge has been on a roll since adding blinkers with three open-length wins in succession to his credit, and I also feel that the bay could sit a perfect voyage just off of the abundance of pace in the field. The Kentucky-bred colt is versatile and retains the services of pilot Keith Asmussen.

• #2 Ryvit
• #1 Havnameltdown
• #5 Super Chow

Race 7 – Gallorette S. (G3)

Fillies and mares will go 1 1/16 miles on the lawn in the affair, and Juddmonte homebred #1 Whitebeam (3-1) is the one for me. One of two in the field for trainer Chad Brown, the Caravaggio filly was a closing second in the Plenty of Grace S. in her seasonal and stateside debut most recently, and imports from this barn often improve in their second attempts on U.S. soil. Irad Ortiz, Jr. will take the reins atop the four-year-old.

• #1 Whitebeam
• #4 Eminent Victor
• #5 Vergara

Race 10 – Jim McKay Turf Sprint S.

A total of 13 will dash five panels on the turf in what appears to be a challenging betting contest. #6 That’s Right (12-1) is a Grade 3 winner who won four of six last campaign with the addition of blinkers combined with the move to the lawn, and he comes in fresh for this sprint with some rapid morning drills as of late. The Goldencents four-year-old could be the speed of the speed with regular rider Andy Hernandez in the silks.

• #6 That’s Right
• #1 Nothing Better
• #5 Smokin’ Jay

Race 12 – James W. Murphy S.

The one-mile turf event for sophomores attracted a field of nine. Graham Motion’s #9 Nagirroc (8-5) is the class of the field and draws in the clear on the outside. The Lea colt will race with blinkers on for the initial time, and he will be formidable with anything resembling his runner-up performance in the Transylvania S. (G3) most recently. The stalker will always be in striking range with Flavien Prat in the irons once again.

• #9 Nagirroc
• #7 Kingfish Stevens
• #1 Funtastic Again