Orb

Orb quite simply looks unbeatable in the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown at Pimlico today.

Don’t take my word for it ask the owners and trainers of the second, third and fourth place finishers behind Orb at the Kentucky Derby.

They have all decided to skip challenging the red hot favorite after his facile win on the first Saturday in May.

The difference with Orb is that unlike most Derby winners he was not at his ultimate best on the big day.

Shug McGaughey horses come along slowly and Shug, usually very reticent, has said he sees even more room for improvement in the colt.

In that event the rest are running for second money and I like Oxbow who finished sixth to Orb to do just that.

D Wayne Lukas knows how to prepare horses for the Triple Crown even if they do little afterwards.

Oxbow went with the suicidal pace at Churchill Downs bit was the only one of the front runners to hang tough late.

He has Gary Stevens on board and I think he can finish second to Orb.

For third I like My Lute ridden by former local rider Rosie Napravnik. He too closed well in the Derby and should be hanging around at the finish.

Try Goldencents to complete the superfecta and box a $2 combination for $48.