The Post Position Draw for the 139th running of the Preakness Stakes took place Wednesday on the Pimlico infield in the International Pavilion. Mike Hopkins, Executive Director of the Maryland Racing Commission drew the entry sheets while Maryland Racing Secretary Georganne Hale pulled the pills to determine how the field of ten (10) will break from the gate on Saturday at approximately 6:20pm EDT.

Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome drew the #3 Post as the 3-5 Morning Line favorite. Since arriving on Wednesday, he has certainly carried himself like a champion.

Earlier this week, when asked if they had a preference of Post Position, both Alan Sherman (California Chrome) and Billy Gowan (Ride On Curlin) said, “Not the one (#1).”

For what it’s worth, here are some personal observations from the past few days…

… #2 - General A Rod (15-1), who is not in the Stakes Barn with the others, is in Barn D - Stall 18, the same stall that I’ll Have Another called home before winning the 2012 Preakness in dramatic fashion. Since arriving the General has been the first Preakness starter on the track every morning and shows no signs that his eventful Derby trip took anything out of him.

… #10 - Ride On Curlin (10-1), who goes out after the renovation break every morning, put in an effortless four furlong breeze 49.60 in this morning. As he passed me near the 1/8th pole, if I wasn’t looking, I would have never heard him. New rider Joel Rosario won’t get in the irons until he gets a leg up on Saturday for the race.

… #8 - Social Inclusion (5-1) arrived a week before anyone else. Every morning after his gallop he’s lathered, but that’s just him. The NY talking heads criticized his appearance prior to the Wood Memorial yet still ran a huge one in just his 3rd career start.

… #7 - Kid Cruz (20-1) arrived just before dark on Monday and is quite the introvert. He rarely pokes his head out of the stall. This morning he stretched his legs for 1½ miles around the Pimlico dirt oval, the scene of his victory in the Federico Tesio.

… #4 - Ring Weekend (20-1) remains at Fair Hill until Thursday. His six furlong work in 1:13 1/5 on Saturday pleased trainer Graham Motion.

… #5 - Bayern (10-1), #1 - Dynamic Impact (12-1), #9 - Pablo del Monte (20-1) and the filly #6 - Ria Antonia (30-1) just arrived at Old Hilltop around 4:00pm today. Not a fan of these late arrivals. Then again, I’m a home bred and have a biased opinion. How many Kentucky Derby starters showed up at Churchill Downs three (3) days before the Derby?

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Recapping previous posted selections from Friday, May 9th at Pimlico, had 7 winners from 10 races, (3 Top Selections; payoffs in BOLD) having $2 WIN pay-offs of $18.80 (1st race), $13.40 (2nd), $4.00 (4th), $6.80 (5th), $4.60 (7th), $9.60 (8th) and $9.40 (10th).

The BEST BET of the Day (22: 5-7-5) Classe Signora (5th race: 4-1 M/L; 5-2 PT) raced just behind the pace-setter two wide on the turn, was floated out a bit by in upper stretch and weakened in the drive, failing to hold 3rd while finishing 4th, 3½ lengths behind the winner.

The LONGSHOT PICK (22: 6-5-0) Vinoteca (2nd race: 9-2 M/L; 5-1 PT) rated four wide early, quickly gained three wide under a ride mid turn, took over in upper stretch, dueled and held firm in an extended drive to prevail by a ½ length returning $13.40 to WIN, $7.00 to PLACE and $5.80 to SHOW.

FYI – the BEST BET of the Day selection will never be a M/L favorite and the LONGSHOT PICK will simply be the runner having the highest M/L odds among my top picks for an entire card.

PLEASE NOTE: Statistics provided for the BEST BET and LONGSHOT PICK in parentheses represent the Number of Picks: Wins-Places-Shows. For example, the BEST BET (10: 1-2-3) was picked 10 times resulting in 1 winner, 2 places and 3 shows. In the past, I would reset these numbers at the start of each meet. For 2014, I reset these numbers on Jan. 1st in order to chart results on a yearly basis.

Selections for Thursday, May 15th at Pimlico Race Course are posted below for a FAST TRACK and FIRM TURF and may be updated on race day morning after scratches are announced at approximately 10:00am EDT. First Post 1:10pm EDT.

1st race – $25,000 Maiden Claiming for 3 y.o. and up – 1 1/16 miles on TURF

#10 – Mighty Oak (6-1) $$$ LONGSHOT PLAY $$$

#9 – Comancheria (2-1)

#5 – Directory (4-1)

2nd race – $7,500 Claiming N2L for 3 y.o. and up – 1 1/16 miles

#4 – Paycheck (2-1)

#2 – Sachicomula (7-5)

#5 – Moravitz (3-1)

3rd race – $12,500 Claiming for F&M 3 y.o. and up – 1 mile on TURF

#4 – Alamanda Drive (7-2)

#9 – Corpus Christi Bay (6-1)

#11 – April’s Dixie Bell (7-2)

4th race – $40,000 Maiden Claiming for 2 y.o. – 5 furlongs

#1 – I Say I Will (7-2)

#6 – Max Crown (6-1)

#3 – Tazmanian Charlie (9-5)

10 cent Jackpot Pick-5 Carryover: $118,637

5th race – $35,000 Starter Allowance for 3 y.o. and up – 1 mile on TURF

#6 – Fessed Up (9-5)

#2 – Fly’n Bayou (10-1)

#12 – Golden Wheels (6-1)

6th race – $7,500 Claiming for 3 y.o. and up – 1 1/16 miles

#2 – Sea Lord (7-2) *** BEST BET ***

#4 – Strike Ahead (5-2)

#5 – Brush Creek (2-1)

7th race – $35,000 Opt. Claiming N3X for 3 y.o. and up – 1 1/16 miles on TURF

#7 – Under Control (7-5)

#8 – Sharp Omar (12-1)

#1 – Tapit Express (3-1)

8th race – $7,500 Claiming N2L for 3 y.o. and up – 6 furlongs

#5 – Redheaded Stranger (3-1)

#4 – Standing Point (5-1)

#1 – Devil’s Peak (9-5)

9th race – $16,000 Starter Allowance for 3 y.o. and up – 1 1/16 miles on TURF

#8 – Cairo Six (6-1)

#9 – Hello Abraxon (15-1)

#3 – Countryman (9-2)

Good Luck!