Asmussen key to multi-race wagers on Preakness Day

Saturday’s Preakness Day program at Pimlico offers plenty of multi-race opportunities, including a trio of Pick 4s (races 3, 6 & 10) and a pair of Pick 5s (races 2 & 9).

My strategy is to identify potential singles and spread in the more contentious events.

Race 5 is the Maryland Sprint (G3) for 3yos and Race 9 is the Chick Lang for older horses. Both will be run at 6-furlongs and I like a Steve Asmussen-trained sprinter in each race.

Maryland Sprint, Race 5: Cinco Charlie (#4) looks like the controlling speed from post 4 and likes it wet (2-for-2 on off tracks). His only two losses this year have come at the hands of Subtle Indian, who is 4-for-4 this year, and Cinco Charlie has a winning attitude with 8 tallies from 15 starts. I’m tabbing the 4yo for a wire-to-wire victory.

Chick Lang, Race 9: Counterforce (#6) exits a convincing victory over I Will Score and is bred for the slop. The up-and-coming 3yo can prove best from just off the pace.

Other thoughts

Here are a few horses I’m looking at on the Preakness undercard:

He’ll Play brings improving form into the James Murphy (6^th race) and the Larry Jones trainee can continue to show more returning to turf.

In the Sir Barton (11^th race), Dazzling Gem should be able to settle into an ideal stalk-and-pounce trip and should find this level of company to his advantage after being excluded from the Kentucky Derby due to insufficient points.

The Dixie (12^th race) features several contenders returning from a long layoff including Ring Weekend, who came off the shelf to post an outstanding win in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1) last year. Graham Motion wins at a 21% off an extended layoff and Ring Weekend has the opportunity to develop into a top turf performer at age 5 if he can remain healthy. I’m expecting a strong showing.

Best of luck!