Preakness Morning Blowout for Big Brown

Big Brown worked 2 furlongs at Pimlico this morning in 24 4/5, this was the colts only work between Derby and Preakness, and Dutrow indicated earlier in the week that he may have a work the morning of the race.

I've made it no secret that I'm not a fan of the Derby winner this year, but I think the horse is a legitimate single for cost purposes in the Pick Four. In fact, I think you can play multiple Pick Four tickets using Latana Mob in the Hirsch, Shakis (IRE) in the Dixie as singles in other tickets, allowing you to fan out in the other races (possibly wheeling "all" in the DuPont Distaff).

As far as my actual bets for the Preakness, I don't know -- I played against Barbaro and it paid off nicely, but it felt like I was cashing blood money. While I don't expect (or hope for) tragedy today, I certainly do think that Big Brown can be beat -- and I'm not just being contrary... horses aren't machines, they're like fruit in the fruit in the refrigerator, they can spoil overnight. How many times have you seen a "sure thing" fail to win, without any explanation or reason? I'm not going to bet the farm against the horse, but it's worth a cheap play against just in case.

I guess I'll make some sort of exacta box bet with Kentucky Bear, Icabad Crane and Gayego, as well as a wheel with Big Brown keyed on top and on bottom of those three and Hey Byrn.

3-8-12 exacta box
7 with 3-8-12-13
3-8-12-13 with 7