2025 Black-Eyed Susan & Friday Racing odds, predictions, contenders, horses

Hanson: Friday Spotplays for Pimlico

• Race 2: Maiden, 12:01 p.m. ET

#12 Software (7-2) had a useful comeback appearance from a nine-month spell at Keeneland on April 16, making a belated run to grab fourth in a 5 1/2-furlong event. She should find the step up to a mile here helpful in her third career start.

Software's pedigree is also outstanding. In addition to half-brothers Alignement (Group 2 winner in France) and Dataman (three-time stakes winner), Software's full sister Alda won the Hilltop S. over this course.

More spotplays by Vance Hanson for the Friday card at Pimlico Park

Scully: Pick 4 play for Pimlico Friday

Race 10 – Miss Preakness (G3)

Throw out the synthetic start two back for #9 Long Neck Paula (6-1); her last two dirt efforts loom large here given that she was facing male rivals, defeating a solid group in the six-furlong Bowman Mill S. and finishing a respectable second to Normandy Coast in the recent Palisades S. over a sloppy track at Keeneland. That rival comes back for Saturday’s Chick Lang S., while Long Neck Paula receives class relief in the Miss Preakness. A six-furlong specialist, Long Neck Paula takes her track with her, recording all three wins at different venues, and she’s trained by Wesley Ward, who has won six of 14 starts since May 1 (as of May 15), including three stakes at three different tracks. I’ll look for a strong showing from Long Neck Paula.

Find the full pick 4 ticket here

How to bet the 2025 Pimlico Special Stakes

• $10 exacta 8 with 4,6,9 ($30)

A solid field of eight will run 1 3/16 miles on the main oval in Friday’s $250,000 Pimlico Special S. (G3). I like the progression shown by #8 Star of Wonder (7-2) for trainer Brad Cox and will tab him to annex his first stakes race in this endeavor. By Uncle Mo, the four-year-old colt is four-for-five in his lifetime and has earned 100 Brisnet Late Pace numbers in two straight game allowance wins as of late, suggesting that he will handle this stretch out in distance with relative ease. The WinStar homebred has a lot of room to improve while making his second appearance since November, and he will be especially dangerous with a step forward under the guidance of Prat. 

Find a $.30-cent superfecta play and full analysis here

James W. Murphy Stakes Superfecta Plays

• $1 superfecta 7 with 5 with 3,6,8,9 with 3,6,8,9 ($12)

If #8 Curahee (8-1) takes a step forward with the addition of blinkers in the contest, then the Brittany Russel charge will be in the hunt late under Luis Saez. War of Will gelding has held his own with stakes runners in two straight and makes a lot of sense for the exotics for a high-percentage outfit. #9 Stormy Flight (15-1) is two-for-two on the grass in his career and might be worth a flyer in his route debut for trainer Hamilton Smith. The son of Get Stormy will have Victor Carrasco on board. #3 Clock Tower (5-1) has excuses for his last pair of results and could make the frame with something close to his best for Wesley Ward. #6 Soleil Volant (7-2) is another contender I will use in the lower rungs of the verticals. 

Find the other two superfectas and full James W. Murphy S. analysis here

The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico

• $20 to win on #8 Amarth
• $5 exacta key box 8 with 1, 4

Field Analysis Briefs:

• #1 LIAM IN THE DUST (6-1): Two-time graded stakes placed filly comes off of a nice allowance try at Keeneland last time out and could peak in her third run of the season. Rodolphe Brisset trainee has good early foot from the rail, and while she is inconsistent, the daughter of Liam’s Map is more than capable on her best day. John Velazquez will ride.
• #2 PRINCESS ALIYAH (15-1): Stakes heroine from the Lukas shedrow was a non-factor in the especially deep Eight Belles S. (G2) at Churchill Downs two weeks ago and gets a measure of class relief on this occasion. Into Mischief gray was a smart black-type winner at Oaklawn Park two prior and will be a factor with something resembling that performance. Nik Juarez has the assignment.
• #3 MARGIE’S INTENTION (3-1): Cajun-bred filly has been first or second in four straight in advance of her initial run for conditioner Brad Cox. Honor A. P. filly has good tactical speed combined with a nice turn of foot, and she will be well placed at the top of the lane with Flavien Prat signed on. 
• #4 RUNNIN N GUNNIN (5-2): Steve Asmussen trainee was a distant third behind a pair of good ones in the Fantasy S. (G2) in her latest endeavor. The stakes-winning three-year-old has shown nice improvement from a trio of efforts in 2025 and I expect her to be in the hunt late with Jose Ortiz inheriting the ride.
•  #5 KINZIE QUEEN (10-1): Interesting long shot is a one-run closing type with a fine turn of foot and enters off a facile allowance score at Oaklawn last time out. Greg Compton charge will be a late danger at a nice number if the pace backs up in the stretch. Junior Alvarado will take the reins atop the McKinzie filly. 
• #6 PARIS LILY (8-1): Bay filly from the mighty Godolphin stable led at every call 
  in an allowance coup at Keeneland most recently. Brendan Walsh pupil was unplaced in her lone prior run with stakes foes, but the daughter of City of Light comes off of a lifetime best run and will be a contender late with even slight improvement on Friday beneath Joel Rosario. 
• #7 REPLY (8-1): $450,000 daughter of Curlin was a sharp debut winner prior to rallying for a runner-up result in the Webery City Miss Stakes at Laurel Park in her second showing. Brittany Russell pupil has obvious room to improve with just a pair of outings under her belt, and the sophomore will appreciate the stretch out to nine furlongs in the affair, as well. The Repole color bearer picks up top pilot Irad Ortiz, Jr. for her graded bow. 
• #8 AMARTH (4-1): Top pick was an excellent second in the Busher S. to commence 2025 and was last seen being outrun in the deep Ashland S. (G1) most recently for Eddie Kenneally. The dark bay daughter of McKinzie fired a bullet five-eighths in preparation for this tilt, and I feel that she will peak while making her third run of the season. Luis Saez will pilot the stalker. 
• #9 MOON CACHE (20-1): Mosler three-year-old has run a pair of very good ones since being claimed three back and is not impossible in a group lacking a standout. Maryland-bred filly was close late in the Weber City in her latest venture, and if she can navigate a sensible voyage from the outside post slot, then the talented lass could be in line for a placing at a big price under Raul Mena. 

Find a $.50-cent trifecta play in the Preakness Betting Guide: