Singling both ends of Preakness Day Late Pick 5

The 142^nd running of the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes anchors a $1 million guaranteed Late Pick 5 (races 9-13). Below are my thoughts on the sequence and the Pick 5 tickets I am playing.

Race 9, Maryland Sprint (G3):

#5 Whitmore improved to 5-for-5 at 6-furlongs with a trio of dynamic wins at Oaklawn Park, posting huge BRIS Speed and Pace numbers, and the Ron Moquett-trained gelding has developed into one of the nation’s leading sprinter. He can continue to enhance his reputation today.

Will save on one ticket with the expected pacesetter, #6 Holy Boss, and multiple Grade 1 winner #4 A.P. Indian.

Race 10, Gallorette (G3):

Grade 2 winner #6 On Leave strung together four straight wins before concluding 2016 with a fourth in the Queen Elizabeth II (G1) and the turf filly is a candidate to thrive at age 4 for Shug McGaughey, who excels off a lengthy layoff. #3 Danilova looks like an up-and-coming runner for Graham Motion, opening this season with a fine score in the April 22 Dahlia at Laurel Park, and I’ll use the Irish-bred daughter of Dansili with On Leave.

Added as back-ups are pacesetter #2 Zipessa; #7 Elysea’s World, who exits a pair of runner-up finishes in graded events for Chad Brown; and multiple stakes winner #9 Queen Caroline, who is 2-for-2 on Pimlico’s turf.

Race 11, Sir Barton:

#2 Hedge Fund is the horse to beat but considering how he surrendered a clear lead last time, I can’t put too much confidence in the Todd Pletcher pupil. #5 No Mo Dough, who registered a 108 BRIS Late Pace Rating posting a nice allowance tally on the Kentucky Oaks undercard, and sharp debut winner #6 Watch Me Whip will be used on all tickets.

Race 12, Dixie (G2):

Going to spread in the 1 1/16-mile turf affair. #2 World Approval, #4 Projected and #7 Blacktype are on all Pick 5 plays.

#1 Security Risk, #8 Catapult and #10 Ring Weekend will be added to the main ticket as well.

Race 13, Preakness Stakes (G1):

#4 Always Dreaming faces much less speed in the Preakness field than he did two weeks earlier at Churchill Downs and I won’t be surprised to see the Kentucky Derby winner showing the way on a moderate pace. He has the versatility to make his own trip regardless of rivals’ tactics and still appears to be improving in my estimation. After supporting Always Dreaming in the first leg of the Triple Crown, I see no reason to go against in the middle jewel.

#5 Classic Empire has the best chance if the favorite falters and #3 Hence is my longshot selection. They will be added to a ticket.

50-cent Pick 5 Tickets (Races 9-13)

Ticket 1: 5 with 3,6 with 2,5,6 with 1,2,4,7,8,10 with 3,4,5 ($54)

Ticket 2: 4,5,6 with 3,6 with 2,5,6 with 2,4,7 with 4 ($27)

Ticket 3: 5 with 2,7,9 with 2,5,6 with 2,4,7 with 4 ($13.50)

Total cost: $94.50

Good luck!