Preakness FULLCARD Hotlist - May 21

Today’s Pimlico Hot List fullcard selections
Saturday, May 21, 2022
Preakness Day

By Bob Ehalt and Matt Shifman

1^st race – (8) Shacks Way was a front-running winner of a starter allowance and can lead all the way here as well. (6) Abuelo Paps was second despite a rough trip and seems the main rival. (7) Where Paradise Lay disappointed in a stakes and can rebound here. (1) Spitball is worth a look off the claim.

2^nd race – (7) Shooger Ray Too was a wide third last time and should be tougher here. (5) Ain’t Da Beer Cold fits better against these after tacking stakes company. (9) D’Rapper may welcome the stretchout. (6) Armando R will be a threat in the final furlong.

3^rd race - (4) Evan Harlan was second and third in his first two starts and should graduate today. (5) Amarillo was bumped at the start. Now adds blinkers and should be formidable with Rosario. (8) Airspeed Velocity was taken up last time and can rebound here. (6) Bad to the Bones might wind up liking turf.

4^th race – The Maryland Sprint, G3 - (5) Full Authority seeks a third straight win and can work out a winning trip here. (6) Mr Phil also owns a two-race winning streak and will be a main rival. (7) Jaxson Traveler likes this track and cannot be ignored. (4) Disco Pharoah is on the improve and will be a threat here.

5^th race – The Gallorette, G3 - (4) Technical Analysis was a game second in a New York stakes and should make amends here. (2) Crystal Cliffs was impressive in a Gulfstream stakes win and looks like the main threat. (5) In a Hurry had a rough, wide trip last time and merits consideration here. (3) Scarabea exits a Grade 1 stakes and gets class relief here.

6th race – (4) Kate’s Kingdom has a nice late kick and can move forward with Geroux in the saddle. (7) Fire in the Hole won a maiden claimer last time but fits in well with this bunch. (11) Golden Voice is in great form but drew a tough post. (8) Murph has a nice turn of speed and may hang around until the end.

7th race – (9) Time Limit has been freshened for this and should respond with a big effort. (2) Oxana could be tough to catch with speed from an inside post. (5) Kaylasaurus should be closing quickly at the end. (6) Cilla was competitive in a Grade 1 sprint and will appreciate a dry track.

8^th race – The Dinner Party Stakes, G2 - (4) Beacon Hill missed by a nose last time and an encore of that effort could put him in the winner’s circle here. (6) Atone only missed by a length in the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark and is the one to fear. (3) Set Piece came up empty in the Maker’s Mark off a layoff and should be fitter for this assignment. (5) English Bee raced wide last time and should get a better trip here with a little more distance

9^th race – The Chick Lang Stakes, G3 - (7) Whelen Springs was a determined winner of an Oaklawn stakes last time and can eke out another win here. (1) Cogburn was a neck behind the top pick last time and once again will be the top threat. (5) Old Homestead is undefeated with a lot of speed and cannot be overlooked. (2) Lightening Larry has been first or second in seven of eight career starts and can make his presence felt.

10^th race – (5) Ready to Purrform is working nicely for his 2022 debut and deserves top billing. (3) Uncaptured Spirit could be hard to reel in off the stretchout. (4) Wow Whata Summer also should benefit from the added distance here. (10) Joe might respond to the dirt to turf move.

11^th race – (5) B Dawk comes off a lopsided win at Keeneland. Stretches out to two turns here but seems talented enough to handle this group. (8) Unikee just missed at seven furlongs and should be helped by softer fractions here. (4) The Addison Pour looked sharp in a win at the distance and should be considered. (10) Ruggs has the speed to be dangerous but could be carried wide from the outside post.

12^th race – (7) Grateful Bred rallied strongly in a prep for this and merits the nod in a competitive race. (2) Carotari is quite formidable at this distance and should be the main foe. (3) Seven Scents won nicely at Keeneland and should not be overlooked. (9) Hollis might benefit from a dirt to turf switch.

13^th race – The Preakness Stakes, G1 - (5) Early Voting  showed some talent when he set the pace and then held on for second in the Wood Memorial. He was given six weeks off to recover from that effort which should pay off  today with a winning effort. (8) Epicenter turned in a very game effort in the Kentucky Derby, absorbing a tough loss to an 80-1 shot. That was a draining effort, but he’s classy enough to rebound with another big try here. (1) Simplification usually gets a piece of the purse and with a rail trip should once again figure in the exotics. (9) Skippylongstocking was third in the Wood and with a nice closing kick seems poised for another good showing in this field.

14^th race – Arabian race - (3) Quick Sand Aa A had a rough trip when third last time and should make amends with a win here. (1) Like Moulin Rouge A was disqualified from first against the top pick and looks like the key rival. (6) Hiab Al Zaman A hasn’t raced since he beat the top pick in December. Will be dangerous if ready for a big effort. (2) Proud American rallied to win his last start and should be in the hunt today.