Handicapping The Preakness - November 30, 2007

Today we have four races from Calder, Aqueduct and the Fair Grounds.

Yesterday we nailed a trifecta (2-4-1a) good for $100.50 from Aqueduct's race No. 2. We also hit the exacta (2-4) for $35.40.

Today's Best Bet is Fair Grounds Race 4 (# 8) SURE FIRE SECRET. 10-1 on the Morning Line!

Thursday's Results: Aqueduct Race #2 Top Pick Winner #2 (Golden Tablet) Paid $4.50. Exacta (2-4) Paid $35.40. Trifecta (2-4-1a) Paid $100.50. 

Turfway Park Race #7 Trifecta (9-11-2) Paid $98.20. (We didn't have it, but if you boxed it you could have).

Today's Horse Racing Picks:

CALDER Race #FOUR (1:50 PM Eastern)

(# 6) HERMOSILLO - Ships down from New Jersey having faced tougher in recent starts. Trainer Eddie Broome does good work shipping into Florida for the winter. Not much speed in here, so expect him to shoot to the front and attempt to wire these. 5-1 morning line is generous.

(# 4) Star Commando - Returns for solid layoff trainer. Back sprinting and blinkers off. Both career wins over this course. Gets important rider change.

(# 3) Storm This - Steady improvement last three starts cutting back to sprints. Decisive win two back. Solid second in last. Cut back to six furlongs should only help.

(# 1a) CAPTAIN BACKFIRE - Freshened up after a smashing victory in very fast time in his debut. Drew clear easily after setting a contested quick pace. Huge workout Nov. 21.

(# 6) The Truffle Man - Improved form last two starts off the layoff. Crushed field in last adding Lasix for the first time. Should sit a good stalking trip.

(# 2) Midnight Slammer - Returns. Overmatched Sept. 3 in NY bred stake. Good efforts in prior two starts. Gets Coa who forms a strong trainer and rider combo.

(# 8) SURE FIRE SECRET - Makes first start for the blazing-hot Cody Autrey. Barn tremendous off the claim and a freshening. Should sit perfect stalking trip with go-to rider aboard. Solid steady works. Ridiculous 10-1 morning line on this one makes her my best bet of the day!

(# 1) Penny's Girl - Returns. Will be the controlling speed from post one. Drop in class and rider change to solid jock only helps.

(# 6) Sarah's Best Song - Her fifth-place finish in debut better than it appears on paper. Held well chasing wide every step of the way. Improvement expected dropping in class.

(# 2) SWEETNESS 'N LIGHT - Returns off two solid career outings. Strong late close in debut to lose by a nose. Powerful win in last at the always tough Keeneland meet. Dangerous speed today stretching out to two turns for the first time for the red-hot Stidham barn. Inside post helps.

(# 4) Democrat Taxes - Never been worse than third in four career starts. Versatile filly can stalk or rate from behind. Trainer Werner very good with the sprint-to-route move.

(# 7) Eight Belles - Powerful win in last start at Delaware. Change of tactics that day. Wired the field. Has shown the ability to rate which should happen today. Trained by Larry Jones, the conditioner of "Hard Spun" who ran second in this year's BC Classic.

Horse Racing Picks Resources:

• Read our belmont stakes picks here.
• Don't forget to visit our handicapping the preakness.
• Check out our updated kentucky derby handicapper.
• View horse racing racebook reviews here.
• Take a look at our racing rules here.
• Don't forget to visit our horse racing theory.
• Check out our updated horse racing bet types.
• Read our horse racing systems here.
• Read our handicapping horse here.
• View free horse racing picks here.
• Hop over to our 2007 horse racing prior pick results here.

Check out the last five Horse Racing Picks Newsletters:

Horse-Racing-Picks-November-29-2007
AQUEDUCT Race #TWO (12:50 PM Eastern)(# 2) GOLDEN TABLET - Goes first off the Contessa claim and trainer is 21% with his fresh buys. Colt ran well in last when dropped to a lower level. He cost $360,0...

Horse-Racing-Picks-November-28-2007
AQUEDUCT Race #TWO (12:55 PM Eastern)(# 6) HELLO NEWMAN - Logical selection and probable favorite drops down off a June layoff. He was claimed for $50,000 and makes his return for $16K. Blinkers go on...

Horse-Racing-Picks-November-27-2007
PHILADELPHIA PARK Race #FOUR (1:45 PM Eastern)(# 6) VISION OF ROSES - Drops into a claimer for the first time. Sarah and Ken Ramsey home bred makes his first start on conventional dirt after trying tu...

Horse-Racing-Picks-November-26-2007
CALDER Race #ONE (12:25 PM Eastern)(# 8) FLORIDA STRAITS - Moves outside after breaking from the rail in last pair. Had to run hard early to keep up. Outside draw is a big plus as it gives the jockey ...

Horse-Racing-Picks-November-25-2007
AQUEDUCT Race #FOUR (1:45 PM Eastern)(# 9) MISS STONESTREET - Stretches out off of three sprint tries for Steve Asmussen. Hasn't raced in seven weeks and she should be bigger and stronger now. Good po...