Tipsheet: 2023 Preakness Stakes
Mage with Javier Castellano riding wins the 2023 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
May 20th, 2023
A total of seven three-year-olds will travel 1 3/16 miles over the Pimlico dirt in Saturday’s $1.5 million Preakness S. (G1).
Preakness Stakes Picks
- #3 Mage
- #7 Blazing Sevens
- #1 National Treasure
- #5 Red Route One
Preakness Stakes Wagers
- $10 trifecta: key 3 with 1,5,7
- $2 superfecta 3 with 1,5,7 with 1,5,7 with all
Preakness Stakes Contenders
#1 NATIONAL TREASURE (4-1): Talented son of Quality Road finished a decent fourth in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) in his latest showing. The $500,000 yearling purchase capped 2022 with placings in the American Pharoah S. (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), and he could be dangerous if he secures the lead from the break. John Velazquez will be in the stirrups.
#2 CHASE THE CHAOS (50-1): El Camino Real Derby victor was dusted in the San Felipe S. (G2) in his lone route on the dirt leading up to this task. The Ed Moger pupil checked in eighth in the California Derby at Golden Gate most recently, and he would be a major surprise in the field. Sheldon Russell will ride.
#3 MAGE (8-5): Superb Kentucky Derby (G1) winner will make his fifth lifetime start in the Preakness and is clearly the one to beat. The Gustavo Delgado trainee ran his best race to date at 1 1/4 miles last time out, and there is reason to believe that he will improve while making just his fifth lifetime run on Saturday. The Good Magic colt will be closer early on with Javier Castellano back in the irons.
#4 COFFEEWITHCHRIS (20-1): Miracle Wood S. hero has been mostly consistent leading up to Saturday for John Salzman. The Ride on Curlin gelding was a decent fifth in the Federico Tesio S. in his latest outing, and he will need to make a huge step forward to challenge for the top prize against this cast. Jaime Rodriguez will be in the silks.
#5 RED ROUTE ONE (10-1): One-run closer from the Steve Asmussen shedrow qualified for the race following his dramatic late score at Oaklawn Park last time out. The intriguing son of Gun Runner has improved his Brisnet Speed number in five straight performances, and another move in the right direction could see him challenging for a top-three finish late with Joel Rosario retaining the ride.
#6 PERFORM (15-1): Tesio star has shown marked improvement as a sophomore and has never been better for Shug McGaughey. The bay son of Good Magic will take back and make one run late, and if the pace backs up in the lane, then this colt could be interesting at a big price. Feargal Lynch has the call.
#7 BLAZING SEVENS (6-1): Champagne S. (G1) hero showed little in his sophomore debut but returned with a solid third-place result in the Blue Grass S. (G1) at Keeneland for conditioner Chad Brown. Also by Good Magic, the talented colt has been training in fine fashion for his third run off the break and will aim to give his trainer a second consecutive score in the race. Irad Ortiz Jr. will be in the irons.
