Preakness Handicapping - June 16, 2008

The weather played havoc with our Belmont selections yesterday as they switched a pair of turf races to the main track and left others on.

We mentioned yesterday how impressive Curlin was in winning the $1,000,000 "Stephen Foster (G1)," but neglected to add how sharp "Ginger Punch" was in  the $300,000 "Ogden Phipps(G1)" at Belmont, looking every bit the champ she has become.

With the major centers closed today, we have four races from Delaware Park.

Today's Best Bet is #1 Tara's Warrior in Race #3 at Delaware Park.

Sunday's Results: Belmont Race #5 Top pick winner #12 (Phobia) $3.20. 

Belmont Race #9 Top Pick Winner #6 (First Defence) $4.00.
Exacta (4-1) $18.40.

Today's Horse Racing Picks:

DELAWARE PARK Race #THREE (1:35 PM Eastern)

(# 1) TARA'S WARRIOR - Just missed in her latest race which was her first on this course since arriving from Florida. Stalked, bid strongly and lost by a neck. Tries a distance for the initial time and is set up well to do so.

(# 7) Fiore De - Stalked in the same race as the top pick, but could offer only a mild late rally. Race was her second off a layoff and she could improve considerably in her third off the bench and first going long.

(# 5) Rasser - Rallied mildly in last to finish third at this tag sprinting. Gelding has been bet in every one of his six starts, so ability must be present.

(# 8) Chase the Shadows - Didn't run much in his Delaware debut after shipping from New Mexico. Drops and stretches and he finished a strong second at this level three back at Sunland Park.

(# 3) SKI SKY - Has good positional speed and will be dropping into a claimer for the first time. From the Jonathan Sheppard barn which always does well with its grass runners. The choice to win this from on or just off the top.

(# 1) Dreamful - Another who will be taking the big plunge from maiden-specials into a claimer. Has a lot of route experience on the dirt and is bred for the surface switch on her dam's side.

(# 4) Taratori Girls - Finished third in one of these on May 24. Race was her first on the turf and filly took an immediate liking to the new footing. Repeat of that try is all she needs to contend.

(# 8) Mean Sally - Ships here from Pimlico off a fine effort on their lawn. Bid to the lead, opened a clear advantage and lugged in late costing her the win. Dominguez is signed on - a signal that connections feel like they can win.

(# 9) CAN'T SLEEP - Strong win contender off her Florida form. In her last eight turf starts she has two wins and six second place finishes. Good stalking style for this course and all she needs is to handle this infield.

(# 3) Wilderness Trace - Broke her maiden last out and filly looks to be improving as her two races this season have been the best she has ever run. In a good barn (John Fisher) and she's well spotted for her first try with winners.

(# 7) Heaven Sent - Bred for the grass, this will be her first attempt on the infield. Filly has good speed/stalking talent, and that's the formula for success on this course. Tough to dismiss anything from the Larry Jones barn.

(# 8) Glorious Lily - Claimed out of her last by Paul McClelland, the jury is out as to which surface she is better on. Trainer took this filly from a sharp owner (Maggi Moss) and immediately sends her to the grass where she is one-for-three.

(# 7) BIG EASY - Pair of sharp tries on view since returning from a January layoff. Finished second in a $100,000 stake here in late April, then was beaten by a nose in a Philadelphia Park allowance where she was probably best. Can stalk a projected fast pace and win this late.

(# 8) Maribel's Princess - Filly has improved since a claim by Scott Lake in late March. She has a pair of wins and a second place finish in three starts since the buy, with her latest race being her best ever. Tough opponent.

(# 1) Coffee Creek Honey - Speed on the rail from the Tony Dutrow barn, and she's capable of some very fast fractions. There is other pace signed on, but believe that she's the quickest. If the track is off, she'll be especially tough to catch.

(# 2) Little Bang - Improving, and her latest was very good. Took the lead in a "switched" race and never had an anxious moment. Will need to avoid a tussle with the rail runner to have any chance.

Horse Racing Picks Resources:

• Updated today: horse racing handicapper.
• Don't forget to visit our horse racing handicapping philosophy.
• Here we show our best horse racing systems.
• Take a look at our horse racing 101 here.
• Check out our updated bouncing horses.
• Read our racing rules here.
• Read our sports betting horseracing here.
• View our free kentucky derby picks here.
• View preakness picks here.
• Hop over to our belmont handicappers here.
• Don't forget to visit our 2008 horseracing prior tips results.

Check out the last five Horse Racing Picks Newsletters:

Horse-Racing-Picks-June-15-2008
BELMONT PARK Race #FOUR (2:35 PM Eastern)(# 3) PORONUI - Makes his first start of the year for the potent Clement barn. Ran well in his only start last season at two and is working fast and steadily f...

Horse-Racing-Picks-June-14-2008
BELMONT PARK Race #TWO (1:30 PM Eastern)(# 11) CAESAR BEWARE - Looked good in last when he was dropped in for this tag and won despite traffic woes in deep stretch. Race was his second with lasix and ...

Horse-Racing-Picks-June-13-2008
BELMONT PARK Race #ONE (3:00 PM Eastern)(# 1A) ANACHRONISM - Daughter of "Yonaguska" has finished second in all four of her trips to the post. Last was especially sharp as she stayed on well the whole...

Horse-Racing-Picks-June-12-2008
BELMONT PARK Race #FOUR (2:35 PM Eastern)(# 2) DIRTY WATER DOG - Heavily backed in both of his outings, a sure sign that he can run a bit. Poor starts in both appearances have done him in, though in h...

Horse-Racing-Picks-June-11-2008
BELMONT PARK Race #TWO (1:30 PM Eastern)(# 6) WOLFSON - Seemed to me that he ran a bit rank last out in the early stages of a mile race. Never responded after that. Trainer Bill Mott drops him into a ...