By Bob Ehalt and Matt Shifman

1^st race – (7) Epic Style was a troubled second last time and should get the win. (2) Boujee Bubblez makes his 2026 debut after closing out 2025 with a win. (1) Sally’s Gold has speed from the rail and may not get caught. (3) Cairo Street fits well here.

2^nd race – (1) Blue Kingdom  tops a Ness entry that also includes Call Me Andy. (10) Dean Delivers will welcome a return to dirt. (12) Grand Opening should be effective at this level. (3) Wickeddivine seeks a third straight win.

3^rd race - (5) Scanner is an interesting firster from Motion. (6) Munny Problem stumbled at the start and still finished second. (4) Master Sommelier belongs in the exotics. (3) Naabaahii may enjoy switching over to turf.

4^th race – (2) Passage East should return to her winning ways with a cutback to six furlongs. (3) Kappa Kappa has sharp early speed and is working smartly for her 2026 debut. (7) Modo should make her presence felt in the opening stages. (1) Striker Has Dial may be helped by a rail trip.

5^th race – (4) Sassari was an impressive debut winner and can make it two in a row. (3) I Love Giraffes can be a standout here after running in a stakes. (7) Mambo Queen has enough speed to be dangerous. (6) Synergism faces tougher but deserves a look.

6th race – (4) Final Story was an impressive maiden winner and seems ready to handle stakes company. (7) Reagan’s Honor flopped in the Grade 1 Blue Grass but should be the main threat here. (3) Let’s Go Lando may pose a late threat. (1) Minorinconvenience has been facing stakes rivals and will benefit from a ground-saving trip.

7^th race  - (4) – Obliteration was second at a mile in the rich Saudi Derby. Should relish the cutback to a sprint. (5) Igniter won a New York stakes last time and can make his presence felt. (6) Shane’s Wonder has speed and may hang around until the end. (7) Top Manipulator can sneak into the picture.

8^th race – The Maryland Sprint Stakes (G3) - (4) Haileysfirstnotion started the year off with a big win and can keep the roll going. (5) Floodlites chases a third straight win and cannot be ignored. (6) Celtic Contender loves this track. (8) Slam Notion will be dangerous on his best try.

9^th race – (1) My Favorite Bird was a troubled second in a Gulfstream Park stakes. Can make amends here. (3) Zihnal makes an interesting move to turf. (5) Proton cannot be ignored in this field. (4) Attfield could wake up and turn in a better effort.

10^th race – The Dinner Party Stakes (G3) – (4) Fort Washington won this stakes at Pimlico and has a class edge here. (6) Dresden Row should work out a great trip in this field. (3) Cruise the Nile was a determined winner last time and cannot be overlooked. (1) What Say Thee should enjoy the added distance.

11^th race – The Gallorette Stakes (G3) - (3) Accent was fourth in her stakes debut but seems capable of a better try here. (5) Austere had a useful 2026 debut and can move forward off it. (7) Child of the Moon will be helped by a fast pace. (8) Awesome Czech should relish the return to turf.

12^th race – (2) Determined Kingdom was third in this stakes last year and recent works indicate he is ready for a top effort after a tough start last time. (4) Chasing Liberty gets Irad and figures to be gaining ground quickly at the end. (11) Had to Have Him was bumped at the start and fell too far back last time. (8) Outlaw Kid appears primed for a top effort.

13th race – The Preakness Stakes (G1) - (12) Incredibolt was making a strong move in the Kentucky Derby when he was bumped and lost all chance. Gets the job done here. (9) Iron Honor had a rough trip in the Wood and can rebound here a big effort off six weeks rest. (10) Napoleon Solo looms the main speed in the race and is capable of hanging around until the very end. (5) Talkin was an improved third in the Blue Grass Stakes and seems poised for a better try here. 

14th race – (6) Grant the Great set fast fractions in his debut and weakened in the final furlong. Should hang in there in a shorter test. (4) Bruno was second in his debut and looks like the main rival. (9) Mister Monday Nite could be a big threat In his debut. (1) Funky See Funky Do is worth a look here.