Preakness Picks - June 09, 2008

Before we get into any lengthy discussion on this past Saturday's Belmont, we'll wait and see what comes out of their camp for the next several days.  Also obviously relevant will be whether they intend to retire the $50,000,000 runner at this stage. Stay tuned.

With Belmont dark until this Wednesday, we'll concentrate on Delaware today and tomorrow.

Today's Best Bet is # 3 Ready Set in Race # 8 at Delaware Park.

Sunday's Results: Monmouth Park Race #1 Exacta second pick with top pick (7-3) $16.00. 

Delaware Park Race #2 Exacta second pick with Best Bet (1-4) $18.60.
Trifecta (1-4-3) $35.40.

Delaware Park Race #7 Top Pick Winner #3 (Brokerage House) $5.40.

Today's Horse Racing Picks:

DELAWARE PARK Race #TWO (1:10 PM Eastern)

(# 5) SONIC CAT - Brings some much needed speed to the race and he's coming off a solid second place finish at this tag and distance. Dominguez sticks with him and think that he'll have him on the lead, or just off a projected slow pace.

(# 3) Surprise Inside - Former steeplechase rider Ricky Hendricks ships in this gelding who has run well at this level in the past. Has no speed, but at this tag has closed strong more often than not.

(# 1) Darned Bird - Easy win last out in the slop in his first race ever on this course. Field was a bit on the loght side and he'll need to at least repeat it to have a chance.

(# 2) Nav Quartorze - Has been beaten soundly the last two times he met the top choice, though last out as he stumbled badly at the start, losing all chance. Capable of making some late noise if he gets a clean trip.

(# 3) VUE DE CHAT - Looks like the main speed and she'll be shipping in for the top New York outfit of Gary Contessa. Trainer has two entered on the card and has brought jockey Julio Espinosa down to ride them. Fits at this tag and can spring an upset here.

(# 6) Catching - Good grass filly (16-4-4-3) always runs well at this tag and is coming out of a sharp effort on the Monmouth turf at this tag. Rider Dave Cohen makes the trip from New Jersey for the re-ride.

(# 5) Light the Candles - Tries the infield for the first time. Hard-hitter on the dirt brings speed/stalking ability to the race and runs out of the hot barn of Steve Klesaris.

(# 4) Exclusive Hopper - Veteran mare by "El Prado" is with trainer Peter Walder for the second time. Professional turf performer owns 12 lifetime wins on the infield. Runs for $25k after facing tougher most of her career.

(# 3) HURRAH - Last was more like it, duplicating his fine form of 2007. Dropped down to this tag, he saved ground on the rail, rallied up on the turn and was out-finished late. Stays at the same level and distance and a repeat could win this.

(# 4) Kong the King - Much like the top selection, he was dropped down to this tag for the first time, set/pressed the pace and won by a nose over none other than our top pick. Has proved in the past that he can string good races together.

(# 5) Highflyingemblem - One of a pair from trainer Scott Lake and they will race uncoupled if both compete. Steady runner has a pair of good starts on this track after coming over from Philadelphia Park. Missed by a nose last out and a repeat of that effort makes him a contender.

(# 6) Crusader Rabbit - Working well for his first race since last fall and he returns in a claimer for trainer mike Matz. He's kept good company since breaking his maiden at Gulfstream in January of 2007. Big threat if ready.

(# 3) READY SET - Very sharp win on this surface off almost a three-month freshening from the Matz barn. Triple Crown nominated by his connections, he has an excellent recornd on this dirt (3-2-1-0). Defeated a nice group of older runners last out and looks to pick up a minor stakes win today.

(# 5) Deputyville - Runner finished close-up in the WinStar Derby in his native New Mexico. Shipped east, he ran a solid third to "Icabad Crane" in the "Tesio" at Pimlico then was soundly beaten in the "Peter Pan" (G2)at Belmont. Freshened since, he's training in spectacular fashion at Aqueduct for trainer Gary Contessa.

(# 1) Magical Forest - Attracts Dominguez and runner will be sent long today after a trio of failed sprint efforts. Capable at this distance, he needs to bounce back a bit from his recent tries.

Horse Racing Picks Resources:

• View horse racing handicappers here.
• View our horseracing systems here.
• View our updated best horse racing systems.
• Take a look at our horse racing betting here.
• View our bouncing horses here.
• Here we show our rules of horseracing.
• Don't forget to read our horse racing sports book reviews here.
• Don't forget to read our kentucky derby picks here.
• Don't forget to read our preakness handicappers here.
• Updated today: belmont stakes picks.
• Here we show our 2008 horse racing prior picks season results.

Check out the last five Horse Racing Picks Newsletters:

Horse-Racing-Picks-June-08-2008
MONMOUTH PARK Race #ONE (12:50 PM Eastern)(# 3) REPENTHOUSE - Finished a fine second at Belmont last out in his second start of 2008. Shortened up and was dropped off his seasonal debut and finished w...

Horse-Racing-Picks-June-07-2008
BELMONT PARK Race #One (12:00 PM Eastern)(# 7) COMMANDERED - Talented three-year-old had some problems in his latest, which came in a stakes at Pimlico on Preakness day. Race was his first against win...

Horse-Racing-Picks-June-06-2008
BELMONT PARK Race #TWO (1:30 PM Eastern)(# 8) MRS. HOLDEN - Heavily backed in her first outing despite the outside draw (12) in a large field. Stayed close to a fast pace while racing wide, bid toward...

Horse-Racing-Picks-June-05-2008
BELMONT PARK Race #ONE (1:00 PM Eastern)(# 5) Good Close to Home - Raced greenly but showed improved speed in his latest when he was dropped into a claimer. Well bet in both his starts, he gets a big ...

Horse-Racing-Picks-June-04-2008
BELMONT PARK Race #ONE (1:00 PM Eastern)(# 2) SNEAKY GIRL - Dave Jacobson is quietly making a name for himself on this rough circuit reached in and claimed this runner last out for $25,000. Runs back ...