Preakness Stakes - Race Preview
Season 17 | Group 1 | 9.5f | 3YO | Dirt | £370,000

Race Overview
The Preakness Stakes is the second jewel in the Triple Crown series, attracting the best 3-year-olds over 9.5 furlongs on the dirt at Baltimore. This season's renewal features a competitive field of 10 runners, with the Kentucky Derby winner leading the charge for Triple Crown glory.

The Main Contenders

CLASSIC ACTION - TOP RATED
Trainer: Jim Murray | Rating: 115 | Silks: Black/Red
• Form Analysis: Kentucky Derby winner seeking the second leg of the Triple Crown
• Key Point: Trainer notes "Chance if he front runs again"
• Verdict: Class of the field with Triple Crown momentum

FASTSLAHD
Trainer: Jaei Bermenstein | Rating: 111 | Silks: Red/Yellow
• Form Analysis: Consistent Group 1 performer with tactical speed
• Recent Performance: Showed good early pace and staying power
• Verdict: Main danger to the favorite with proven class

DELTA BLUES
Trainer: Paul Parsons | Rating: 107 | Silks: Black/Yellow
• Form Analysis: Prominent early runner with good closing ability
• Recent Form: Showed solid form on dirt surfaces
• Verdict: Each-way claims with strong trainer record

SMOOTH OPERATOR
Trainer: Paul Parsons | Rating: 106 | Silks: Black/Yellow
• Form Analysis: Started slowly but showed strong closing kick
• Trainer's Comment: "Pulling hard and soon prominent, close up half way"
• Verdict: Improving type with each-way appeal

EMPRESS OF VERSAI
Trainer: Paul Rhodes | Rating: 103 | Silks: Green/White
• Form Analysis: Held up toward rear but showed some late promise
• Recent Form: Restrained towards rear, behind half way
• Verdict: Needs significant improvement

YABBORRAH
Trainer: Paul Rhodes | Rating: 100 | Silks: Green/White
• Form Analysis: Well away but taken back to rear
• Recent Performance: Restrained early, prominent half way, stayed on
• Verdict: Outsider with place claims at best

The Long Shots

ROWE GLANTON (Derek Hinton | 98) - Slowly away, soon recovered and restrained behind half way, badly outpaced

LOUIS OVERSTREET (Padraig Hogan | 96) - Settled towards rear, rear half way, never competitive

FED DE GREAT (Jaei Bermenstein | 92) - Well away, taken back to rear, not pace of winner

FORERUNNER (AJ Munas | 90) - Restrained early, prominent half way, led near finish, stayed on well

Key Trends & Insights

Pace Scenario
• Current pace: Moderate to Fast
• Several front runners likely to ensure good early gallop
• Classic Action expected to be prominent early

Recent Form
• Most runners have Group 1 experience
• Classic Action comes off Kentucky Derby victory
• Paul Parsons has strong representation with multiple runners

Trainer Confidence
• Jim Murray (Classic Action) optimistic about Triple Crown bid
• Paul Parsons has three runners showing stable confidence
• Several trainers looking for bounce-back performances

Betting Verdict

WIN BET: CLASSIC ACTION
Kentucky Derby winner with the class and stamina for the distance. Triple Crown momentum and front-running style should prove effective over this trip.

EACH-WAY VALUE: FASTSLAHD
Consistent Group 1 performer with tactical speed. High rating of 111 suggests she can get competitive, and trainer Jaei Bermenstein has good record.

OUTSIDER: SMOOTH OPERATOR
Paul Parsons runner who showed good closing kick in recent starts. Improving type who could outrun odds at bigger price.

Final Thoughts

This looks a straightforward renewal with CLASSIC ACTION holding all the aces as the Kentucky Derby winner. The class gap appears significant, though FASTSLAHD has the credentials to make it interesting. DELTA BLUES and SMOOTH OPERATOR offer the best of the rest.

The race should be run at a strong pace with Classic Action likely to dictate from the front. Any who get too far back may struggle to make up the ground on a horse of his caliber.

Good luck with your selections!

Nice.