Handicapper Tips & Picks

Watch and wager on the second leg of the Triple Crown at Hawthorne Race Course or any of our Club Hawthorne OTB locations. First off, kudos to trainer Bill Mott and the owners of Derby winner Sovereignty as they felt the two week return didn't suit their horse properly. Always best to put the horse first, and with the Belmont being contested this year at Saratoga, and also at 1 1/4 miles, everything lines up for their return there. Don't overthink this Preakness too much. The best horse is 2-JOURNALISM and it really isn't close. He has never run a bad race, he battled in the Derby, and the connections were quick to say that they were coming back in the Preakness. There's not a ton of pace to chase so he will lay close and if Even money or better, he's worth a win bet. 8-CLEVER AGAIN has the best shot to upset as he ran a huge number in his last, has the speed of the field, and Jose Ortiz chose him over Sandman it appears. He'll have the lead at the top of the lane, we will see if he can carry it to the wire. 9-GOSGER is the price play in the race. He has improved with each start and should get a good tracking trip. The outside draw may prove favorable in here as he could steal a share. 

Bet the 2 Journalism to win.

Exactas - 2 w/ 8,9

Trifectas - 2 w/ 8,9

THE PREAKNESS

It’s possible that the lightly-raced 8-CLEVER AGAIN could be poised to upset. He’s made only three starts in his career, two this year, but he has impressed. Both races this year resulted in wire-to-wire victories. He’s taking on his toughest task so far but maybe his freshness will give him an advantage over those that have been raced hard to even get into the Kentucky Derby as well as to race in it.

It’s hard to deny that 2-JOURNALISM is the one to beat. He was super sharp in the Kentucky Derby and came within a length and a half of having his name entered in the history books. Getting off to a slower start than usual could have been the cause of defeat.

But this beaten favorite does have a great chance to redeem himself. Although this race is unlikely to produce the blistering fractions and heated fight for the lead that the Derby featured, the pace should still be sufficient to set up for his late run and he won’t have nearly as many rivals to navigate to get to the front end. The slightly shorter distance could also work in his favor since he seemed to slightly run out of gas in that race.

4-HEART OF HONOR might be worth another look. He really hasn’t faced horses of this caliber yet but love the way he keeps on and doesn’t quit. His last two races were at this distance and he finished second in both, beaten a nose in last and a head in his previous race.