Preakness Analysis & Selections

2011 Preakness. Most of the new shooters in the Preakness seem rather undistinguished so we'll focus on the Ky Derby competitors plus a few others.

Shackleford ran a solid race on the lead in the KY Derby and breaking from the 14 post. He held on a long way and stayed well until late. In here, he breaks from post 5 and should be able to get the lead and save some ground. Animal Kingdom has won or placed in his 5 starts and should perform well here, as most Derby winners do. He looks solid. The same can be said for Mucho Macho Man who still hasn't reached his actual 3rd birthday. He finished 8th in the Derby but has shown more in all his other races. Dialed In closed some in the Derby but wasn't the kind of factor expected from a closer. The others we have in our contenders list are Dance City and Sway Away both of whom ran a nice race in the AR Derby, the best of the KY Derby Prep races and Astrology who has a nice overall record.

With the speedy Uncle Mo and The Factor both out, and a clearing sky, we think there's a good chance the pace might be moderate and the speed might hold in this year's event. In a year like this where long shots have dominated these races we're going with Shackleford to take it wire to wire. Because of his tender age, we think the Mucho Macho Man may have a bit of a bounce and tend to drop him down in our list. Sway Away should be very competitive here having been dusted by a blistering pace by The Factor in the Rebel but ran well in the AR Derby, gets Gomez here and is well rested. Dance City comes from a strong race the AR Derby which we believe was the key KY Derby prep race. Dialed In doesn't seem to have enough punch late as he had trouble getting by Shackleford in the FL Derby and beaten easily by that one in the KY Derby. Astrology comes into the race well seasoned and well traveled. He should be somewhat of a factor.

Our picks
1) Shackleford 12/1
2) Sway Away 15/1
3) Animal Kingdom 2/1
4) Dance City 12/1
5). Astrology 15/1
6) Mucho Macho Man 6/1

Good luck with your bets.
Result; 1) Shackleford - paid $27.20. 2) Animal Kingdom 3) Astrology 4) Dialed In 5) Dance City 6) Mucho Macho Man.

We had this one pretty well figured out as Shackleford contested the pace, took over and held well after quick fractions. Sway Away didn't show much but our other contenders filled out the top 6 spots. The Shackleford/ Animal Kingdom exacta paid $114.80 and the Tri with Astrology paid $1401.80.

We'll be back for the Belmont.