Festivities for the 147th Preakness Stakes at Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course begin Friday afternoon with six stakes, including the $250,000, Grade II Black-Eyed Susan for 3-year-old fillies. Since Epicenter looms a heavy favorite in Saturday’s $1.5 million Preakness, the value in the horse racing odds may lie in keying the Kentucky Derby runner-up in a pair of daily doubles. Two horses, one in the Black-Eyed Susan and another in Saturday’s $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint-the race directly before the second jewel of the Triple Crown-provide some value.
Interstatedaydream Has Big Shot in ‘Susan’
It’s not often a horse trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Florent Geroux is listed at 6-1 on the morning line, but that’s the case with Interstatedaydream in Friday’s $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan for 3-year-old fillies. There is a good explanation, though. Interstatedaydream finished a disappointing third in the Grade I Ashland April 8th at Keeneland, eventually losing to Nest by 8¼ lengths after setting the pace. Nest, second in the Kentucky Oaks and being considered for the Belmont Stakes 2022, blew by Interstatedaydream. There doesn’t appear to be that sort of opposition in the Susan. At least three other fillies in the field figure to be in search of the early lead, including 5-2 race favorite Adare Manor (John Velazquez) from post No. 10. Geroux is sure to send the Ontario-bred Interstatedaydream, and likely settle for a good staking trip behind Adare Manor and perhaps 20-1 longshot Missy Greer, among others. With these tactics, Interstatedaydream is a prime candidate to bounce back at a square number when betting online. A string of solid workouts since the Ashland also inspires confidence. The 1⅛-mile goes as Race 13. Post time for the Black-Eyed Susan is 5:44 p.m. ET, Do not forget to add it on your Belmont stakes odds
Hollis’ Job Could Be Simple (Sort Of) In Jim McKay Turf Sprint
With a clean break in Saturday’s $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint at five furlongs, Hollis’ task appears simple. Just pass one horse. That might be easier said than done. Carotari, the 9-5 morning-line favorite, packs plenty of speed and graded-stakes experience. Carotari, though, could be a bit short in his first race since this past New Year’s Eve. Hollis, ridden by Reylu Gutierrez and trained by John Ortiz, has penultimate post No. 9 and should sit just outside Carotari (Luis Saez) from post No. 2. Hollis, on paper, appears to be the second-fastest in the 10-horse field, so perhaps the path is clear. Hollis, a 7-year-old gelding, has been freshened since a fourth-place finish in the Grade III Whitmore at Oaklawn in mid-March. Hollis is back on turf for the first time since finishing seventh in the 2021 Jim McKay at 9-2 Belmont odds in the racebook. A tough trip that day, but it looks like smooth sailing this time. The Jim McKay Turf Sprint, for 3-year-olds and older, goes as Race 12, with post time is 5:51 p.m. ET. There’s little chance of precipitation either day, with high temperatures in the 90s.
