Handicapping Tomorrow's "Preakness Stakes"

First off, obligatory:

Next off, let's make some money. We got the 2nd leg of the Triple Crown coming up this weekend. Unfortunately, there won't be a Triple Crown winner in 2022 the year of Our Lord, as Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike is sitting out The Preakness.  That's just fine though - there is still plenty of $$$ to be made tomorrow (and tonight if you're getting frisky) 

And that's what we're gonna do. Most people know by now that Chief and I own a small slice of a few horses in the racing group "Crowns Way Racing". One of them, Smoking' Jay, is on tomorrow's 'undercard' Jim McCay Turf Sprint. We'll get to Jay in a moment. First, let's break down Tony, Crown's Ways CEO's, picks for tomorrow's race day. Toss them a follow on Twitter:

Saturday Races with Tony's Picks:

We're gonna start a few races into Saturday's card:

Race 4

#7 Jaxon Traveler 3-1

Race 5

#6 Karakatsie 12-1

Race 7

#6 Cilla 7-2

Race 8

#1 Tango Tango Tango 10-1

Race 9

#7 Whelen Springs 4-1

Race 10

#10 Joe 3-1

Race 11

#5 B Dawk at 5-2, but also use 1,4,8 in to Doubles with Smokin' Jay

Race 12 Jim McCay Turf Sprint

LOOK AT THIS FREAK OF NATURE!!! 

Crown's Way's "crown jewel" Smokin' Jay returns to the track with a stiff test in this 5 furlong turf sprint. The favorite here is the #2 Carotari who was last seen winning the Janus Stakes on New Years Eve. Jay finished 3rd in that spot, beaten 1 and 3/4 lengths. The 4th place finisher in The Janus Yes I Am Free flattered that race as he came back to win 2 stakes while Jay and Carotari got winter breaks. We are hoping to see other speed horses like the 7-9-10 soften up Carotari on the front end and set up Jay's big closing kick.

The Pick - #6 Smokin Jay 6-1 (obviously) 

I will be playing him in exactas with #1 Bank, #2 Carotari and #3 Seven Scents and doubling to #8 Epicenter in the Preakness.

Race 13 "The Preakness"

The Preakness has lost a little luster with Rich Strike's team choosing to pass the Preakness in favor of going directly to the Belmont. I was really hoping between him and the Oaks winner Secret Oath there would be enough sentimental money bet to give us Epicenter at 5-2. We still got Secret Oath in here taking on the boys but Epicenter is sitting at 6-5 on the morning line. I believed Epicenter was the most likely Derby winner going in to Louisville, I believe he ran the best race at Churchill, I believe hes this Preakness is him and then everyone else. Anything price over even money "+100" is a gift.

The Pick #8 Epicenter 6-5
I will be playing him on top of #1 Simplification, #2 Creative Minister and #6 Happy Jack in exacta and trifectas.

Let's make some money!!!!