Racing returns to Pimlico Race Course on Thursday for the opening of its 12-day Preakness meet, highlighted by the 142nd Preakness Stakes on May 20.
The middle jewel of racing’s Triple Crown, the 1 3/16-mile Preakness is the centerpiece of an eight-stakes card that includes the $250,000 Longines Dixie (G2), $150,000 Gallorette Stakes (G3) and $150,000 Maryland Sprint (G3). Post time on Preakness Day is 10:30 a.m. for the 14-race program.
The 93rd running of the $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan (G2) for 3-year-old fillies is the focal point of a seven-stakes program on May 19 along with the $300,000 Pimlico Special (G3), $150,000 Allaire DuPont Distaff (G3) and $150,000 Adena Springs Miss Preakness (G3).
Racing will be conducted Thursday through Sunday with the exception of May 21. The meet wraps up with a special Memorial Day program on May 29.
Here are Gabby Gaudet’s race-by-race picks for Thursday’s opening day at Pimlico:
Race 1, 1:10 p.m. post time
Selections: No. 5 Unkiss Me, No. 6 She Runs Hot, No. 7 Francisca Spell
Race 2, 1:42 p.m.
Selections: No. 6 Northern Prancer (price play), No. 3 Zipline, No. 7 Macroeconomics
Race 3, 2:12 p.m.
Selections: No. 7 Chamberlin Road, No. 9 Beautiful Nite Sky, No. 2 Cherished Prize
Race 4, 2:42 p.m.
Selections: No. 5 Love to Prospect, No. 4 Indian Red, No. 7 Young Dude
Race 5, 3:12 p.m.
Selections: No. 7 Cracking Good Pins, No. 4 Workerbee, No. 2 Unspoken
Race 6, 3:42 p.m.
Selections: No. 4 Rarified Air, No. 7 Awesome Standard, No. 1 Godlovesasinner
Race 7, 4:12 p.m.
Selections: No. 7 No Regrets, No. 10 Siem Riep, No. 8 Shortlist
Race 8, 4:43 p.m.
Selections: No. 5 Hickory Hill (best bet), No. 1 Supervision, No. 4 Grecian Prince
Race 9, 5:16 p.m.
Selections: No. 4 Glory Unbound, No. 10 Love’s Legend, No. 9 Mesmerize
