Advance wagering on tomorrow’s Preakness Stakes is available at OTB and area tracks beginning today. A Pimlico Special-Preakness double closes today at 5:43 p.m., post time for the Special.
Belmont is opening voucher windows at 11:45 a.m. today so patrons can wager on the first race at Pimlico, scheduled for 12:15 p.m. Tomorrow, Belmont will open those windows at 9:45 a.m. for Pimlico’s first post at 10:30.
3RD RACE – Red Crusader was a victim of bad luck as when the gates opened up, his head was turned and he hopped up, spotting the field about five lengths. Jose Espinoza gathered him up quickly and then gradually got Red Crusader into contention with a wide move on the far turn. He was threatening for the lead in the stretch drive, but the start was too much to overcome and couldn’t get by Fairly Crafty for the victory. Favored Megatrend was a huge disappointment falling back in the stretch to be last.
4TH RACE – The connections that gave us Xtra Heat came back to take the money as Gonzo Bonzo Beans shot out of the gate like a bullet, withstood early pressure from favored Abbyroar and went on to an easy victory. Abbyroar tried to keep up, but the fractions were too fast and the favorite tired badly to be last. Prime Obsession acted up and dumped jockey Jose Rivera Jr. and tried to run off, but was captured quickly. The horse was scratched and the jockey was sent to North Shore Hospital for precautionary measures, but he was fine and released later in the afternoon.
6TH RACE – Race complexion was changed completely when Young Man, with Mike Smith replacing Rivera, was scratched at the gate and a minute later Fighting Roy Kelly was scratched. This set things up perfectly for the Rene Araya entry of Our Friend Timmy and Voryias. Our Friend Timmy rushed up to set the pace and, when he tired, stablemate made a four wide move to gain the lead and draw away for the victory. It’s So Simple and Luke’s Flash were in a furious stretch drive for the place spot with It’s So Simple getting the nod for second.
9TH RACE – Tough luck for Seeyalatalitigata as she stalked the pace and was in good position in the stretch drive, but then got caught in traffic and had to check twice to lose momentum and any chance of winning. Favored Philanthropy Lady took the lead turning for home and tried to draw off, but Spartan Valor and Untuttable Gal raced as a tandem and caught the favorite, with Spartan Valor getting the victory. Philanthropy Lady miraculously won the place photo.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 6-8-1-10-5-2
5 winners each receives $32,685
276 cons. (5 of 6) winners each receives $153.50
No carryover