The next two races of the Preakness card have been run, those being the $100,000 Maryland Sprint Handicap (gr. III) and James W. Murphy Stakes. Both were won by trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who will saddle Optimizer later today in the Preakness itself.
First up was the Maryland Sprint Handicap, in which Hamazing Destiny was the slightest of favorites over the younger Bandbox. Those two ended up finishing 1-2 in that order, with Hamazing Destiny opening up a three-length lead in the homestretch before coasting to an easy 1 1/2 length triumph. Bandbox also ran well in his first start since January, and should improve from here on out.
The James W. Murphy Stakes, a one-mile turf race for three-year-olds, was won in a mild upset by Lukas' Skyring, who went wire-to-wire under Joel Rosario in what was his second straight victory. After six straight starts on dirt and synthetic tracks, the colt seems to have found himself a home on turf. Easy Crossing finished about a neck behind in second, and a nose in front of Mr. Handsome, who had to adjust his course in deep stretch and might have won with a cleaner trip.
The next race on the card is the Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes, where a field of eight fillies and mares are set to go. The current favorite at 6-5 is Awesomemundo, from the barn of Bob Baffert. However, with the success that Lukas has been having today, it might be wise to take a look at Absinthe Minded, who is coming off of a fourth-place finish in the La Troinne Stakes (gr. III) on the Kentucky Oaks undercard. It is worth noting that Lukas' two winners today, Hamazing Destiny and Skyring, both ran on Derby weekend as well.
The Preakness odds haven't changed much during the last couple of hours, although the margin between favored Bodemeister and second choice I'll Have Another has decreased from 9-5 and 3-1 to 2-1 and 3-1.
-Keelerman
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