Road To Preakness 151 | Tesio Stakes

Life is good. No Gandalfo, no problem.

It's the horse racing Happy hour and of course the best horse

racing podcast with the worst music.

We appreciate you hanging out with us as you do every

Thursday. The big part of our program has

always been the road to Preakness here and this is the

end of the 2026 version as we head to a Laurel Park Preakness.

Why not the Tessio? It's just a few days away.

Exciting to have all of the runners back on the track.

I think it's going to be an interesting version of the

Tennessee of the Weaver City mess.

Of course, ahead of the Black Eyed Susan Friday there at

Laurel Park as well. Hold on that Mackenzie fight for

Dan Hillman alongside from Maryland Jockey Club.

Back at it, Dan you and me T shirting it today.

Mackenzie Very fashionable in front of a brick wall in front

of a coffee house somewhere in. Baltimore.

Well, that sounds about right. I mean, she has style and you

and I are just, you know, racetrack strays basically at

the end of the day. I mean, that's there.

There's a reason she's on the afternoon show and I'm relegated

to the morning. You're relegated to what?

Radio. That's exactly right.

Mackenzie Pfeiffer joins us. She's on TV for a reason.

Mackenzie, how are you? You're really laying the

groundwork here, and we'll see if I can deliver on that.

I have to ask, though, does win like The Life Is Good?

Is that sort of a subtle nod to the stallion?

Because the horse girl, that's where my mind goes when I hear

that song. Yeah, it's a good thing that

your brain went there. You can finish like fifth in the

Breeders Cup if you do. But no, I think it's a, it's

just a nod to Bad B Roll music. Because what happened was we we

started doing this show and we figured out that we were getting

traction because we started getting sued for using music,

and now we use Bad B Roll Music to stop getting sued.

Is that a good idea, Dan Ellman? It sounds like you have

international sound on your team.

That's. Exactly what as it is a

reminder, we will be doing some normal things around this

Preakness. If you've joined us in previous

years at Jimmy's Seafood, I have great news.

We'll be keeping that tradition alive.

The night of Black Eyed Susan, we'll be back on the 2nd floor

there. So Jimmy's, Jimmy's live is the

2nd floor up there. Carl's the nice manager up

there. He'll make sure that we're all

taken care of. But come find us in the backroom

there. I just passed the bar.

Would love to see you there. And I'll be back on WBAL Radio

this year with our friend, mutual friend of the show, of

course. Scott Wyckoff will do a preview

on Preakness afternoon from there at Laurel Park.

Scott assured me that it'll be a bleep show, but hey, it'll be

our bleep show. You're darn right that's exactly

what it'll be. All right.

Well, we're here to talk about Tessio Day.

And Dan, I'll go ahead. You're a man who's covered a lot

of Tessios. Do you have a favorite Tessio?

No, I I don't have a favorite Tessio, to be perfectly honest

with you. Every Tessio is a favorite

Tessio because it's a great betting opportunity every single

year. I think this is an interesting

betting race. I know a lot of folks who want

to hand this one over to Taj Mahal.

He looks like doors to beat. On paper, I don't think the

horse is a cinch at all. The Tessio is fun simply because

it's a win and you're in for the Preakness, as we saw last year,

Hey, Billy won the Tessio. He went on in the Preakness and

it was very nice to give some of our local horsemen their flowers

on a national stage, and I think that's what the Tessio is about

right now. There are some great

opportunities for Gary Capuano, Brittany Russell, Tim Keith,

John Salzman, junior, local trainers with local jockeys.

We'd love to see them in the Preakness.

It adds a little, especially here in Maryland, it's.

Interesting too, Mackenzie, something that we haven't gotten

a handicap before is a Tessio winner staying at Laurel for the

Preakness. Does that change how you think

you'll approach the Preaknesses with the Tessio winner?

We haven't seen one of those go back-to-back in the Tessio and

the Preakness, of course, since defeated Testimony in the 80s.

I have to agree. I do think it changes the way I

handicap things when we go to Pimlico, but I don't know how

much it'll really change things coming here.

And I I maybe levels the playing field a little bit for certain

types who I'd give an edge over at Pimlico versus staying at

Laurel. It certainly makes it a really

attractive race for a lot more. It should be a lot of fun once

we get there. Limited crowd, but of course

we'll have all the coverage for you if you're not able to make

it on Preakness day. But of course, we got to start

with Tessio day or Preakness preview day, as they call it.

A Maryland can't just call anything what it is.

You got to come up with a new name.

That's how Maryland operates. And so I'm I'm half waiting for

them to call the pick 6, the pick 7 just to it's not what it

is. We just called it something

else. Just kind of waiting on that.

But we'll get to Ray 7 does start the pick 6.

I promise it's 6, $0.20 minimum on that.

The Chesapeake pick six there at Laurel, a mile on the turf

course. It is a one mile turf course, so

we will start and finish at the same spot.

The Dahlia is race 7. This is for Phillies and mares 3

and up. We'll do the male side of things

in Race 9, but I put down, man, this is an interesting 1 Dan,

because our favorites in here tend to be coming off of longer

layoffs and then we've got some horses that are in form here.

Which way do you think you'll be leaning on Saturday?

I won't mind the layoff forces too much, especially if the

layoff versus running by Grand Motion, who historically has

them ready and able to go off of long layer Officer about the guy

is a very intriguing mayor for me.

I talked to Graham earlier this week and he said she did have

some nagging issues since the last start that Violet Stakes in

Monmouth. She ran really well.

She wound up on the lead and it took a pretty nice horse from

the Chad Brown bar to beat her in the final furlong.

What was interesting when I talked to Graham was he said the

week recently brought her over here from Europe was to try to

find her to recover and get her to maybe make one run.

And going back in her PPS in France, you can see she was very

keen and on the lead in most of the race but actually went all

the way back and watched her career debut and she set off the

pace that day and stormed on home.

So something tells me even though there's a lot of speed in

this race, the five summer, the Tahoe might be the fastest of

all of them. Jorge Louise is going to maybe

take a hold of revolt a guy and try to get the source into the

pocket in behind the leaders. I'm using her and I'm using

curling's Angel, of course. That really impressed me in her

career debut at Saratoga last year for a extremely capable

trainer, Jorge Abreu. If this pace does materialize, I

think and will kick on late. How about for you, Mackenzie?

I have to agree. I do think that the four, and to

be honest, I'm a fan of a horse who comes over from overseas,

gets one or two races underneath of them and so I look at her,

but I actually look towards the outside and take another one who

has now had a race under her belt and offers a little bit

more value. That's Mara's love for Michelle

Mihai at rent. Some pretty good races overseas

and a little bit more of a sprinter lean, but I think the

middle distance suits quite well if you're able to forgive for

just that first start off the bench in the States.

She's the one who I want to use in here. 12:50 morning line,

very fair price. Mihai is one who certainly can

send them out and have them really ready on the day.

So not really scared of the layoff.

This one comes in, you know, having a race in February and so

that's where I think a similar setup.

Few more questions to answer. You get it with the price

though, no? It's an interesting one for

sure. In the mile setup there,

McKenzie do horses near the outside there, so 7 or 8 posts,

Are they going to have enough time to get into the mix of the

race by the first turn? It's always a little bit of a

jostle, right? So you need to be good enough

from the gate, but it's more one who's slow on the rail that I

worry about, that kind of needs to be forwardly placed.

I worry about if there's a kind of outside speed, maybe that's

going to collapse over and they just kind of give something up.

But I don't necessarily worry about the ones who have shown

the ability to be tactical and kind of get settled into the

race early. I agree with Mackenzie.

I don't really think there's a bias going a mile on the turf.

Louie, I, I think if you study the post position statistics

here at Laurel, I think if you have positional speed, you can

get a good spot. You may proceed.

I'm very sorry about that, but I appreciate the if Louis would

study things angle from Dan Ellman there.

He's with the Maryland Jockey Club, as is Mackenzie Pfeiffer

joining me. Laurel Park this weekend for

Tessio Day on Saturday, or the previous preview day if you're

one of the cool kids in marketing, Pick five at Laurel

starts. Wait, wait a minute.

Who did you like in this race? So what are you?

You're not going to do any work. I don't actually have to do work

anymore. It's kind of a beautiful thing

about my life. No, actually I.

Asked him. Because yeah, no, getting to sit

chair one on this thing is really delightful, frankly.

Now I'm actually I'm going to lean on Jorge Bray who's horse

in here Curling's Angel out of the six horse race. 8 though

does start the late pick five there at Laurel Park.

It starts with the King Leatherberry and a 12% take out

on the pick 5. Should be a nice pool given the

fact that it is Tessio Day out there on Saturday.

Cannot suggest enough getting in on this kind of pool, $100,000

on the line, 3 and up sprinting, 5 1/2 on the turf course.

And Dan, I was going to ask you, obviously we just lost King a

couple, you know, just recently. Was this named the Leatherberry

before? I cannot remember at this point.

That's an excellent question. It's been named the Leatherberry

for as long as I know, but it's obviously not the name the

Leatherberry forever. Sure.

Yeah, right. Right.

Yeah, but it's. Been for a minute, right?

OK, that's what I thought. I thought it, it look, I, I

wanted to bring that up because I, I, one of the things I don't

like in sports is when we wait for people not to be around

anymore to name things after them.

So it's good that this race has been the Leatherberry, at least

for a little while. Mackenzie, who'd you lay it on

here at the start of the Pick 5? This is a pretty fun race for me

actually. You know, keeping with the

sentiment, I go with the local horse.

Had to have him. I do think that there are some

question marks, but with this horse coming back last year as a

gelding, we saw a completely different horse.

He had shown the ability, but the way he really stepped up

throughout the season, I don't think he's going to be over bet

as a favorite. There's a it's a very tough

group, it's the toughest question he's been asked.

But if you go back and look at the Van Cleef at Colonial last

summer and he ran a huge race against Witty and I do think

that the way he followed that up, we could see him picking up

a little bit of a question as he fit First off the bench.

It's a really tough group to run into, but if he's able to run

his race, I do think that the four post, he has a huge

advantage with his trip there. How about you, Dan?

Mackenzie makes a really good point about had to have him.

I talked to John Salzman earlier this week and he said had to

have him. Had a few little issues, you

know, since his last start that he had to address.

He said had to have him his training as well as he's ever

seen this horse trainer. So I'd have to use him,

especially considering the plethora of speed horses in this

race. I mean, you have a horse like

Don Cho. Isn't he the world record holder

at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf? Didn't he break that record in

Ellis Park last year or something like that?

You've got a horse just like Jean Valjean was going to be,

fresh and keyed up and ready to go with good early speed.

Then you have a horse like Schwarzmeyer.

I have no idea how good Schwarzmeyer is, but I know

Schwarzmeyer is very fast. He reeled off something like a

21 and 1 opening quarter last time out at the fairgrounds.

It was like breaking sticks and he just sauntered on home.

He's dealing with a class test, he's dealing with a pace test,

but I want to use this source. I wonder if he's just kind of a

now horse. I also want to use a horse like

Determined Kingdom, who might kind of be prepping for his

usual big year at Colonial Downs.

Mike Trombetta kind of likes to use these races as preps for

Colonial, but I just think he's going to get the right setup.

Don't you want a horse coming from at least a little bit off

the pace? Unless Schwarzmeyer just runs

them off their feet. I've got a couple in here that

I'm actually very interested in your opinions.

I think Suarez Meyer is a very fascinating horse.

Another one here, Dan, that you and I have been talking about

for as long as I've known you, is Prince of Jericho moving over

to the grass for this one, Do you like to move to the grass

for him? Because I'll be honest, this is

a horse he's going to hit the board for as long as they put

him in dirt races, right? He's going to pick up a decent

check in all those races. Is this an attempt just to see

if there's another gear for him? I think so.

He's been trying so hard in his recent races, and if ever a

horse deserves a win, it's he. Because what, he's lost his last

four starts or something by a combined, what, half a length at

the most? He's always right there.

But these horses are usually not the kind of plays for me, and

I'm interested in Mackenzie's thoughts.

Prince of Jericho is one of my favorite sprinters on the

circuit, but going 5 1/2 against True Turf horses in his turf

debut, knowing he's going to take some money because of the

Britney factor I just got, I just got to fade him.

I certainly can back up Dan's sentiment here with Prince of

Jericho and also the fact that he really does like him.

I mean, he I watched him fall in love feeding him peppermints

last winter in the barn and he had Dan trained every time he

came around the shed row, he gave him the eye.

Oh, super smart horse. So that being said, no doubt

about it and what I do think is interesting, this was meant to

debut on the turf. So you take that it was an off

the turf event, OK, He ran a very good third inmating special

weight company at Laurel, but he was meant to go 5 1/2 on the

turf. The pedigree isn't anything that

says it has to go one way or the other.

He's run very well now. He draws inside, he's tactical

enough. I don't think it's out of the

question. I just think you need to demand

something like 12:50 on him in this group because he's not

going to be the speed from the inside here.

There are horses that can open up in 21 and change, and that's

not his trip. But if he saves ground inside,

finds a way to just sneak through, he certainly could show

up there at the end. 24 career races, 21 times in the trifecta,

only three times being 3rd for Prince of Jericho in his career.

Just a as Dan said, just a really competitive horse.

Gives an honest effort every single time he's there.

That was the King Leatherberry in a Race 8.

Should you get bounced out of that one, which is probably

going to happen to a fair number of you, we'll move on to race 9.

The late pick 4 here and it is the Weaver City Miss.

This is 100 1/2 on the line for three-year old Phillies.

Winner of this one gets a spot in the Black Eyed Susan.

That is on Friday before the Preakness.

That is the Kentucky Oaks or the the acorn of the Maryland

circuit going a mile and a 16th. So this race will start just

past the finish line there at Laurel.

You're essentially right at right at the turn there to get

going. And this is a race every year

that we look forward to, Dan, in this one.

Who you got in the Weaver City most?

I have had a whale of a time trying to decide for this race.

All I know is there is a great story and the horse I'm rooting

for is Miss Fulton Gal. Jockey Vince Braccholi passed

away earlier this year. He actually rode Weber City,

Miss. His widow and his five daughters

own Miss Fulton Gal Miss Fulton Gal was the last horse that

Vince Jumbo Braccholi picked out at auction.

I'd like to see this horse run very well for Mikey Gorham and

Raoul Mano, of course, had the big year last year with Pay

Billy and I think the Source should get some pace to run at.

Just sort of hasn't run very fast yet.

And last time out she sort of just plucked victory from the

jaws of defeat when another horse didn't stay.

I hate the morning line odds on jumping the gun at 7 to 5 coming

off a long layoff and breaking from a very tough post, but I

think if she runs her dem Wiselle she's going to win.

Jumping the gun breaking from the 8th there Andrew Simhoff

trains. Where did you line Mackenzie in

the? I'm with Dan on.

I have an issue with the odds on jumping the gun.

Now it's somewhat curious in here.

I'm not going to talk to anyone Offenburg because she's faced

the right types. But First off, with the layoff,

this is a barn where this is a huge race.

You have a lot of horses with a lot of recency.

So to come back in this spot is a big ask at 7:00 to 5:00.

No doubt about the ability. So I also leaned to Miss Bolton

Gal, a little bit of sentiment with the story as Dan mentioned.

But I do think that she's one who the two turns is just going

to really benefit her. I love the way she did it in

that 2 back effort. I know she had Lasik's on there,

but I don't think it makes much of a difference.

She's also one who I don't think I'm going to be too worried

about her getting caught wide going into that first term.

I also want to use APS girl there, Louis.

I just want to jump in there real quick because I know she's

stepping up in class and I know she has to remove Lasik's, but

just take a look at the versatility she's shown in her

last two starts. Two starts back, she was way off

the pace and she was able to rally to win.

And last time out the pace was much slower and she got right up

close to the pace and she got the job done.

Somebody tells me James Graham's going to take back and make one

run. I really respect Peter and he

doesn't ship to Laurel often, but when he does, he has had

some success. This was a 12:50 in the morning

line. I'm using this source in the

value pick five and all multiple race wagers.

She's on top for me in this one, Dan, I'll put it that way.

I I don't think Peter and ships her for no reason.

I think there's a plan with this one and I think it's I think

it's a Black Eyed Susan. I think he really wants to be

there with her and so it's fun to see him racing a lot more

east of the Rockies and certainly can't get any more

east of the Rockies in Laurel Park.

So there you go. It's just fun.

I think all three of us are using the same three horses.

Is that right? Oh, I.

Don't like that? Then OK, never mind.

OK, spread. Spread, spread.

People. Yeah, that's bad news.

Yeah, there you go. Just to make sure we're I'm

catching this right, let me sum it up 678.

There you go. Oh man, if if you had said 6-7

in front of my young children, there would.

Have been a very different yeah see it would cause it would

cause a ruckus, I believe as the kids say nowadays, yes.

Ruckus is the word we were going for.

Yes. 1990s MTV reference there. All right, so 1940s.

Henry Clark has raised Ted with Mackenzie Pfeiffer, a dead

Elvin. My name's Lou.

You're both. This is the horse racing gap

y'all Road to the Preakness Road to Preakness 151 series.

We usually call it Road to Pimlico, but here we are this

year getting ready for Laurel Park another mile race here on

the turf. This is on the colt side of

things, 3 and up in the Henry Clark $100,000 on the line in

Mackenzie. Earlier today, right before we

jumped on you were saying I was really glad to see your show

note about the Henry Clark because I there and then maybe

Dan will disagree with me, but I think this is as wide open a

race as I can remember talking about a race of Laurel Park.

It really is because I'll give her, for instance, to kick off

Dan, I did some work here. If King sizes 20 to 1 and you

can make a legitimate case for him because I think you can.

This is a wide open race, Mackenzie.

That's really how I feel. About it well and that's what I

thought because we always have the classic grand motion long on

the turf the horse gets bit down he wins at a short price and OK

but on paper, but before the entries came out and I was just

looking at the nominations these are all the horses who I thought

we weren't going to get all of them you know pick some of them

but I thought some fit very well and to see all of them show up

here makes it way more exciting from a handicapping perspective

King size has every reason to go ahead and improve.

I think it's a really, really interesting horse at 20 to one,

but there are a lot of them in here who are interesting at a

price. And so, you know, if I eat chalk

and I've paid for it by spreading around in this leg, so

be it. Maybe I play a secondary cheap

ticket just singling the grand horse, But I'm not going to talk

anyone off of anyone here. How?

About for your days on top. Well, I first of all, Mac and I

were talking earlier this week about what a job our new steaks

coordinator Michelle Ink did. You know, putting this card

together, the entire racing office team, 12 races, 120

entries. Just take a look at this field.

As Max says, it's completely wide open and you guys are

right. I mean, if king size is 20 to 1,

you have to use the source. I talked to Mike Stidham earlier

this morning. They obviously had high hopes

for the source. Just take a look at how much

they paid for him as a yearling. His last two races, he's put it

all together. The thing that Mike's worried

about is, is king size A1 dimensional speed horse because

if he is, there's other speed in this race that could maybe hurt

this horse a little bit. But at that price, I have to use

him. Cruz the Nile, you mentioned the

motion horse. Very logical.

It's a big class test, but look at the third quarter time he

threw at those horses last time out, 22 and 3 and then just kept

right on going. Something tells me that the

source can run a little bit as well.

I want to use a horse though the number 2 Nap Town I think is

going to get the right pace and you look at some of this horses

class lines last year, he has a tendency to outrun his odds.

And I think Nap Town if he gets a trip is going to be running on

late. He got a little bit of a prep

compared to some of the others, and I think that helps.

Nap Town and you know, and you always have to worry about Me

Too's running lines read like Edgar Allan Poe.

I will say this, Mackenzie, we have seen a lot and I've been

very happy to see it as a guy here in Kentucky of Laurel

horses coming up to try Turfway during the winter and then vice

versa. And we got a fair number coming

out of races at Laurel Park or frankly off of the Tepita at

Gulfstream Park trying this one as well.

I mean horsepowers in here coming out of a couple of 2nd

place finishes and $100,000 level handicap there at

Gulfstream Park, we get like a baby Max coming out of the Dust

Commander and another high level sort of race.

I mean, how do you look at these?

Is this early in the turf season at Laurel Park?

Well, but those are names who you're saying and I'm thinking

they're the ones who make this race interesting, right?

I don't think you're you can predict that.

OK, the motion horse gets bet down a lot, but those are horses

who I think present real value horsepower 4 to one on the

morning line. I thought he fits this race very

well, but I don't necessarily think he's going to end up going

off at 5:00 to 2. And so he's a really logical

horse. He has recency.

He's proven to like the mile. The trip sets up up well for him

in here. He needs to step up a little

bit, but I just take a look at those efforts.

You asked how it sort of transfers over here.

He came off the synthetic to Colonial in August last year,

going to 5 1/2 in the Van Cleef. He was able to show enough speed

to be competitive in there and then stretch back out.

Those are the types who I think you know, you can kind of take a

little bit of interest in and at a fair price.

They're worth using and splurging a little bit if you're

playing these multi race sequences.

Fascinating one, there should be a lot of fun kicking off the

early pick three there with the Henry Clark will move on to the

feature of the day. It is the Federico Tessio.

It is race 11, it is a win and in it is the race we talk about

starting in October on this program leading in to the

Preakness Stakes. Preakness 151 this year of

course at Laurel Park we will play a game, buy or sell here a

winner or not winner. We do that every show that we go

through the big race on Mackenzie.

I will give you a dollar next time I see you.

If you can tell me the name of the horse that Preakness upset

in the Dixie Stakes, then the Dinner Party Stakes, I will give

you a dollar. Who did Preakness beat to become

the famous horse that got an entire Triple Crown race named

after him? The horse that he beat.

The the one he upset the old original dinner party stakes.

Can I sound a friend? Or go it for Foster, believe it

or not. So the horse's name was Foster.

So if the horse cannot win in the Tessio, you're going to call

him Foster. If he can, you're going to call

him Preakness. All right, so let's have fun

with this one rolling through the field here.

Dan's very unimpressed by that that.

Version I didn't get a chance to make a buck.

I was. Did you know Foster?

Yeah. I tried to throw it to Dan.

Come on. Gee, Dan, did you have that one?

No comment. I couldn't tell from the

expression whether it was a no brainer or.

I don't think he had it. It's all right.

All right. I'll give Dan $2.00 next time I

see him. We start with Hickson on the

inside. This is Brittany Russell, this

is heavy on Toledo. This is one that is coming out

of a muddy win in an optional claimer.

Before that, tried winners as well.

Has only ever raced over the one turn mile there at Laurel Park.

At least knows the track. Dan, what do we make of this

one? Preakness or Foster?

I'm going to say, I'm going to say Foster.

All right, how about for you, Mackenzie?

I said foster, but I actually do like this horse and I think it's

interesting that they go ahead and step him up.

It certainly warrants consideration.

He's never faced a fast track. He's probably going to be 50 to

one in this race. And yeah, we worked reasonably.

I think maybe the same day it sounds like as Taj Mahal, but

they already have a nice horse in here so.

Hickson will break from the inside did did break his maiden

without Lasix. We'll get back to running

without Lasix in this one. Bolandam will break from the 2

three to one on the morning line for Mike Maker.

Michael Sanchez gets the the mount here.

Mackenzie one race that was a Sprint that was on synthetic boy

Preakness or Foster. Apparently the morning linemaker

thinks this is major Preakness. Oh, I go back and forth.

I have to say Foster, just because of the price we're going

to get on this horse, he won't be a surprise.

I thought it was impressive, but I need like 5 to 1 on this.

I'll go at least. Different way, Dan.

I would be surprised if Foster won this race.

Or it's Foster. What am I saying?

Excuse me? Not Foster.

If Volandam acted like Foster here, I would not be surprised.

What? What?

What do you make of that? I I won't be surprised actually

if Volandam wins this race because he is bred for dirt on

the bottom and Michael Maker knows a distance horse when he

sees one. And this horse was bet like a

good thing in his debut when he overcame a little bit of

trouble. But that being said, everything

Mackenzie said is true. It's just so tough to take a

horse at a short price, stretching out free furlongs,

facing winners for the first time and and and switching

surfaces so at the price of Foster for me.

Foster, they're on both of the inside horses.

We go to Chaitin, who will break from the three events on Chamino

in town to ride for Billy Morey as one that's already won

against Winters going a mile on the synthetic Dan that was under

Walter Rodriguez. Has to drop the Lasix here, but

did win without Lasix in December.

Preakness or Foster here. Good price if you go Preakness.

I'm going to say Foster. Unfortunately, you're right,

that is a good price. There really isn't any margin in

me knocking a horse like this. But again, it's a situation.

This horse has raced twice on dirt, one OK, one not good at

all. Maybe it was the sloppy track.

Horse has improved with distance.

Needs a lot of things to go his way.

Son of West Coast, but on the damn side we got noble mission.

How about that? Interesting breeding job there?

Synthetic, I guess. Makes a lot of sense.

Mackenzie. What do you make of his chances?

Yeah, I'm with Dan. It's hard for me to kind of get

behind this one just because I think I need to see a little bit

more from him. I will say, you know, I'm

willing to forgive that wet track effort.

I just feel like this is a big gap that we need to close 20 to

one across the board if you really like him in the bottom.

Wild Warrior will break from the four.

McKenzie. This is the winner of the

Private Terms last out yetzied Hazelwood champion jockey there

at Laurel keeps the mount for Gary Capuano, who needs no

introduction on this show and certainly not on this series of

the show. What do we make of his chance?

6 to 1 of. Them I'm I'm watching Dan

Preakness this this was, you know, this is another step up.

He didn't run a flashy number last time out, but I thought it

was still visually impressive. He overcame a ton of trouble.

This is a horse who I loved going two turns in the three

back. I liked him a little bit, but I

didn't really want to bet him to back going the seven furlongs.

And I thought it was a sneaky, messy trip as well for him.

So when things came together for him last time out, he's going to

end up a fair price in here. If I can get him into the

Greekness, I won't be complaining at 6:00 to 1:00.

I I can't not 2 or. 22 turns at Laurel Park.

I I can't knock Max opinion on this horse because she liked

this horse. Last time she said he was a two

turn horse. Gary Katz said he was a two turn

horse. They were both right.

Maybe last time was the time to have wild warrior.

I think he needs to improve a little bit at six to one though.

He's a Preakness anything last season, Foster.

OK. I think that's fair.

All right. Where do you think he goes off?

I'll go nine to two day on final number.

I think that sounds perfectly reasonable, OK.

All right, right, let's go. Lando.

We'll break from the five here. Paco Lopez, you'll hear his name

quite a bit of Laurel Park on Saturday is in to ride.

This was the second place finisher.

Dan, in the private terms, last out.

What do you make of his chances here?

So I think let's go Lando, an honest tourist.

I think he had a little bit of trouble down on the inside last

time. I don't think he was very

comfortable, but I have to be honest with you.

I'm worried about a mile and an eighth with the source.

And I know he does have that pedigree, but I kind of think he

might be at his best going a mile.

He's really honest. He did have those two big

figures, but interesting, both of those big figures came on a

wet track. Maybe he needs a wet track to

run his best phrase. I'm saying it a lot.

Foster, another Foster negative Dan Ellman with us today.

Positive. Mackenzie Pfeiffer Go.

All right, look, I go with the other great couple on a runner

who's finished ahead of him twice now, and two for two kind

of seals the deal. You know, third time's the

charm. Maybe might one might argue

against me. But I do agree with Dan in that

the wet track really stands out to me.

And the violin, it's a little bit long.

You might be trying to forgive that last outing a little too

much. And I just think he shows more

when he gets a different configuration.

Let's go Lando, 2nd place finisher in the Miracle Wood,

right behind Taj Mahal, who then of course tried the New York

route to the Kentucky Derby. Breaking from the 6th will be

the Triple Crown nominated. close the gate.

This is the aforementioned Salzman barn here, last seen at

Colonial in an optional claimant, but before that was

third place in the Miracle Wood right here at Laurel Park.

McKenzie Preakness or Foster for him?

I really want to say Preakness because I really like this

horse, but I don't think I can say it today.

I will be cheering for him. I just kind of want him to get a

little bit more experience going the distance, but he has every

reason to keep improving. Tend to want a great price.

I agree with you. I think the price is the key

compared to some of the others. Like you're you, let's go land O

wild warrior. These are horses that could

easily be freakness if the price is right. close the gates.

Freakness for me because I think the price is right, but I'm

terrified of the distance. And when I talked to John, he

said they're taking a shot here. They are very concerned about a

mile and an eighth. They think a mile might be his

best race, but three ran well in the Miracle Wood.

Considering he only had a couple of races, he just wasn't as good

as Taj Mahal and Let's Go Lando that day.

I like his tactical speed a lot. I'd say Preakness at the price.

Close the Gate is son of Engage, of course a son of Into

Mischief. Classic Nafty will break from

the Seven Day and a son of Classic Empire is 1/3 Time

Starter did break his maiden at Presque Isle on the synthetic

there. Tried the dirt last time at

Colonial in their March series. What do you make of Classic

Naughty here? Ran OK last time out considering

it was his first start off of a lengthy layoff.

He had to deal with the wet track and he had to go a mile

off that layoff. That being said, he was behind

close the gate. He's dealing with some very

tough horses. I would like to watch this horse

into the summer and fall. I think Phil Schoenfeld does

good work with his horses. I think now might be a little

bit too much too soon. I'll say Foster.

Foster, at this point for Dan, how about for you, Mackenzie?

I also say Foster, but I want to prefer add to it and that I do

like this horse a lot and I definitely would be excited to

see him if we get him over to the turf.

He has a pretty good pedigree and the distance should probably

be his friend. Classic naughty again, breaking

from the seven, a son of classic Empire Higher Sense to his

outside son of course, of higher power New Jersey Brad, how about

that? Hanging out with us in this one.

Mackenzie 30 to 1 here. 5th place in the Miracle Wood.

Bad news. That was by 22 lengths.

Oh come on, be a little forgiving.

That was a wet track. That's right, be be nicer.

Look, 30 to 1, I don't want to say Preakness, but 30 to 1, I

will bed him underneath and across the board.

That is a usable price for me because I thought that last time

out he actually showed a lot. And so if you can forgive a

little bit, he was facing all the right company.

Look at my lotta and everyone else, and he came down here,

finally put the pieces together, got a confident trip.

He's a horse who has some ability stretching out to the

mile and an eighth here a little bit of a question mark for me,

Yeah. I, I I respect that she she

likes the source a little bit and wants to use some.

I've seen this movie several times already.

I've seen it in the miracle wood.

He did have an excuse. He stumbled and he rushed on the

wet track. But I don't know, I thought he

had every chance last time out. And Pone Ave. is a good horse

and is improving ever since being claimed was just better

than he is. I can't see him wiring this

field. Foster wait.

Can I add to that? Yes.

OK. Pawn Avon had just worked in

company with was it crossing the Channel or Lonesome Rd. that,

you know, was working with all the right horses and I kind of

thought that horse was going to run a big race.

So I'm willing to be a little forgiving, higher sense high in

there. All right, well, he'll also be

painted lion in that race. That's I guess that says

something. I mean.

Watch painted by and run earlier in the Friday.

I believe he is running Friday. What price will he be on Friday?

Now, I don't want to argue about higher sets.

I again, I respect the fact that you like the source because he's

going to be a zillion to one. He's going to show some speed in

here and I hope I, I, I hope for your sake he he makes it in the

exact I just I if he wins, I'd be surprised.

I'm just betting him to show it 50 to one that's.

Fine. Fine if you want it, but to show

it 50 to one, that's fine. Code of silence day.

It will break from the 9. He's also Triple Crown nominated

son of Blofeld Marilyn Brendan here.

Second just missed in the private terms.

Last out can he you know, that was first time trying two turns.

I thought we saw a lot from him frankly.

Last out? Can he get the mile and an

eighth here? Yeah, he can't get the mile and

an 8th, I believe. And Tim Keefe has been pretty

much planning for this race the entire time.

I thought he ran well in the private terms, kind of made an

early move into the teeth of the pace.

He made the lead. Listen, it was disappointing

that he lost. This is a horse that throughout

his career just seems like he's trying to figure things out.

And I think once he made the lead in the private terms, he

started looking around. He lost his focus and Wild

Warrior came back and beat him at a mile and an eighth in a

race with a lot of speed. I think the source is going to

make one last run. Isn't he just going to win?

I'm betting him with enthusiasm, let's just say that.

The enthusiasm is overwhelming. From Dan Ellman we now go to the

equally enthusiastic Mackenzie Pfeiffer.

Dan, I, I think you have to show the enthusiasm there.

It's not. It doesn't work if you have to

tell us about it. This is this is the cold,

calculating demeanor of the gambler.

I'm not getting enthusiastic. I'm not.

I'm not showing a lot of excitement.

It's just almost like a feeling of common Zen, knowing that the

inevitable will occur on Saturday.

Boom. There it is, as Maryland Bread

wins moves on to the Preakness. Let's go.

We'll go Preakness on Code of silence and then Taj Mahal, the

very, very likely favorite on. The outside.

Wait a minute, wait. I didn't get Mckenzie's code of

silence opinion. I'd like to hear it.

I think the people would as well.

I'm not sure, I just argued higher sense a little too much.

All right. So.

If I have any credibility left, Code of Silence very much could

be a Preakness horse for me. He is an honest, hard trying

horse. I've enjoyed watching this horse

every single time he's come out and you really have to respect

the fact that in eight lifetime starts he's found his way into

the top three and seven of those.

Maybe you just go ahead and draw a line through that other one

because he had no trip from the get go in the Maryland nursery.

Very, very likable horse and he's begging for a mile and an

ape. I think he'll run all day.

There you go, we'll click the preakness button for the 9 hole

starter code of a silence. We move on to Taj Mahal.

He's on the outside. This is 1 Dan, I won't lie to

you. I was hoping to see in the Wood

Memorial, but he is back here in in the Tessio, which is OK too.

Hopefully we'll see him back at Laurel Park one month later.

I think a Preakness just based on ability, but is he a

Preakness based on the price? You know, something 7 to 2,

absolutely. I don't know if he's going to be

7 to 2. I will.

I think he'll be two to 1:00 and 5:00 to 2.

And I still think he's probably many people believe he's the

most likely winner and on talent, he's probably the most

naturally talented horse in the race.

I would say Preakness before his debut, he was working with

Prince of Jericho. Brittany knew she had a good

horse here. The debut very visually

impressive and the miracle would stretching out dealing with a

wet track facing winners for the first time.

How game was he? Let's go Lando look like he

collared him in the stretch. And Taj Mahal just said, no, you

don't. This is a very good horse, Taj.

Mahal here. Mackenzie.

I have to agree with Dan, although I'm curious he thinks

we'll get 2 to one or five to two on him because I just don't

really know if I see that coming up for us, that would be a a

huge gift. And what's that?

I don't want to make fun of our line maker 6:00 to 5:00.

No, no, I I'm not making fun. I mean, I'm just saying I, I

think it he's one who's going to get bet down and he certainly

deserves it. The debut effort huge for me.

I really was going on and on about that because I felt like

he picked up so many pieces. He did all the hard work last

time out and he just showed a willingness to keep on going

every step of the way. I think he's taken a lot from 2

races and probably smart if they go ahead and say let's go here

and they're going to catch the Derby horse in that second leg.

Taj Mahal breaking from the outside, a son of Nyquist.

Quality Rd. on the damn side. All of the things say that this

horse should be just fine on Saturday.

They're amongst the Laurel Park company in the Tessio.

Closer on the card is a 30 claimer on the turf.

Got to love a full field of 10. As Dan pointed out, we're

averaging 10 or more in every single race on Saturday there at

Laurel Park. 30 claimer, 35 in the Kitty.

Phillies mares 3 and up. Non to lifers in this one.

Mackenzie will go to you first. Is there a standout in this

field? I don't know if there's a huge

stand out, but chit chat, chit chat, something we all like to

do about horses. That's a horse who broker made

made a special way company to back.

I'm willing to just go ahead and draw a line through that last

outing and I do think that she's improved if she can run that

race in here. Makes a lot of sense to me.

She's overcome some trouble and proven to be able to do that 5

to 1 bear. Not sure if we get that but she

seems logical. Chitchat Chitchat, daughter of

Twirling Candy, did win in the championship meet down at

Gulfstream Park to break her bait and try the synthetic last

time. One for one on turf, Dan, who's

on top for you in the closer? I'm going with the seven

midnight love affair last time, this Philly race for Bruce

Sylvine. It was a really nice race in New

York last ball, very conservatively handled on the

rail. When she got out, she came with

a good run. Her last two races are throw

outs for me, one off the layoff on synthetic and last time I

think against tougher horses at Gulfstream.

When you see a 5 furlong turf race won by a six and three

quarter lengths, that's a pretty good effort.

I think Midnight Love Affair just faced a freak that day.

This seems like a very good spot back in the Levine barn.

It helps to have Yezidon and what are we doing for Brittany?

I mean, this kind of things, you know, you might say, wow, this

one needed a Charlestown for and after a long muddy race to win

and she wasn't even the favorite of that day.

I I have a feeling she might be a turf wars.

Her damn certainly was a stakes winner sprinting on the grass

and the source is going to show some speed.

Maybe we get Brittany at a price to close out your Preakness

preview day. She's Mackenzie.

He's Dan. They hang out with us on the

Road to Preakness 151 series for whatever reason at this point.

But yes, good stuff there. Dan, is there a handicapping

contest or a cocktail thing or like a a Halloween costume thing

this Saturday? Is there anything people need to

know if they're coming to the track on Saturday?

Welcome up to the track. There's going to be a Preakness

Preview Day handicapping contest, $500.

It's hybrid online for shut insurance like yourself or

people like me and Mackenzie who actually like to go out to the

racetrack. You can play on track as well

and not only do you get cash prizes, but an opportunity to

win a berth and the Breeders Cup.

Betting challenge this year at Keeneland or next year's

National Horse Players Championship on the national

Handicapping Championship. Horse Players Championship.

We'll have that. Louis, Miss Maryland is going to

be on track on Saturday. She's a big fan of Dan Ullman.

She asked if I could perhaps accompany her to the races.

I said I'm sorry, I'm a little bit too busy and I don't, by the

way, I don't like people at neg all the time that the phone's

been ringing a lot. But she will be with her many

admirers greeting and I'm assuming signing, taking

pictures, etcetera. Of course, we're going to have

12 races beginning at noon to value.

Pick 5 wagers. Low, low, low 12% take out rate.

Maximize your earnings potential.

You've got this thing called the Laurel Park Handicapping Guide

on site. Mac does a great job.

The entire TMJC handicapping team does a great job.

The price is right, it's free. laurelpark.com/pics.

What's going on at Laurel Park? Previous preview day, baby.

I mean, Lexia Gillette is going to be there.

I can't believe that's her real name, but Miss Marilyn, Lexia

Gillette is going to be there. How about?

That I call her like by. The way, by the way, shout out

an RIP to the world's greatest fake bar ever.

Our spot, Mcmullen's Pub. We miss you forever.

It's a tough time around here, Dan.

I'm missing, missing the the spots that we had you.

Don't you understand? Mackenzie Mackenzie could tell

you that the new Mcmullen's pub is called the Laurel Park Press

Box after the races are over. Well, good.

I'm glad the traditions have carried South of Baltimore.

That's good. Mackenzie and Dan have a great

time on Saturday. We'll catch up down the line.

I will see you all in a month. I'm sure we'll have a great time

then as well. But again, Jimmy Seafood Friday

night before the Preakness, come say hi to us and I'll be on WBAL

most of the day on Saturday. Mackenzie and Dan, thanks so

much. Thank you all.

Right, we'll kick him out of here.

I'm Lou Rebeau and this has been yet another rendition of the

Horse Racing Happy Hour. We are back tomorrow, 2:00 with

our weekly look at the card in Southern California.

Back to Santa Anita for that one.

The American Stakes tomorrow at a mile on of the term.

We'll talk about that at 2:00 tomorrow.

Of course, we'll have plenty of lead up to the Kentucky Derby as

well during Derby week. Tuesday of Derby week and come

out for our Derby seminar right here in Louisville at Blind

School Restaurant. That's with our friends over at

Blood Force. Make sure you tune in for that

one as well. I'm Lou.

This has been the horse racing happy hour.

We'll catch up with you tomorrow.

Have a great day.