By Bob Ehalt and Matt Shifman

1^st race – (5) Augusta Melody comes off a nice win at Keeneland and can make it two straight here. (7)  Exploration steps up for a third straight win and will be a main factor. (8) Circle P will be hoping for a fast track. (1) Band Camp should pose a late threat in 2025 debut.

2^nd race – (7) Swan House returns to turf and could respond with a winning try. (9) Drop the Hammer had a troubled trip last time and can make amends here. (6) Miss Ellary has speed and could hang around to the end. (11) Betula comes off a sharp win but has a tough post.

3^rd race - (1) Last Man Standing ran into trouble last time and should handle this field. (3) Varney should appreciate the added ground here. (7) Drill Baby may offer a late bid. (4) Energize could move forward in his second start.

4^th race – The Maryland Sprint (G3) - (6) Booth chases a fourth straight win and gets the nod here. (7) Epic Ride can bounce back with a better effort here. (5) Concrete Glory could be tough to catch here. (2) Prince of Jericho was third in this stakes last year and is worth a look.

5^th race – (3) Glean was third in a stakes and can prevail in this field. (9) Mischief Maxey seems sharp for her stakes debut. (11) River Seine is an interesting foreign shipper. (4) Lilly Simone can make her presence felt late. 

6th race – (3) One Magic Philly has been racing in grade1 stakes and has a class edge here. (5) Zeitlos will be dangerous on her best try. (7) Striker Has Dial enters off a pair of fast wins in New York. (4) Disco Ebo looked good in a Laurel stakes win.

7^th race – The Gallorette Stakes (G3) - (7) Three Havanas makes her U.S. debut and gets top billing here. (2) Queen of the Mud looks like the one to fear. (9) Way to Be Marie fits in nicely here. (6) Austere can sneak into the picture at the end.

8^th race – (11) Retribution seems to be on the upswing and could notch a win here. (3) Ancient World is unbeaten and can make it three in a row here. (4) Normandy Coast is worth a look in this field. (6) Keep It Easy should like the turnback in distance.

9^th race – (4) Witty was second in this stakes last year and had a nice prep at Laurel. (6) Coppola faces easier company and can revert to his winning ways. (2) No Nay Hudson posted a solid win at Keeneland and cannot be overlooked. (1) Boat’s a Rockin is a threat from the rail.

10^th race – (6) Invictus posted a solid maiden win and seems ready for his stakes debut. (1) Crudo should be main rival off a MSW romp. (7) Hymn should be helped by the shorter distance. (9) Just a Fair Shake could be in the picture despite the outside post.

11^th race – (7) Regan’s Wit was hurt by a wide trip last time and can work out a winning one here. (6) Soleil Volant should be a main threat here. (5) End of Romance looms a key threat in this field. (3) Clock Tower weakened late but may hang on here.

12th race – Dinner Party Stakes (G3) - (4) Neat had a nightmare trip last time but will be formidable on his best try. (7) Cash Equity could be poised for a big effort. (9) Irish Aces usually brings home a check and merits attention here. (3) Signator seems to have found a new home on turf.

13^th race – The Preakness Stakes (G1) - (2) Journalism was the runner-up in the Kentucky Derby and is a standout in this field. Rain or shine, he’s the pick. (6) River Thames has a perfect running style for the Preakness and looks like the biggest threat to the favorite. (1) Goal Oriented is trained by Baffert and will be helped by a ground-saving trip. (8) Clever Again posted a huge stakes win at Oaklawn and looks like the pacesetter. Could be tough to catch if left alone on the lead.

14^th race – The UAE President Cup (G1) - (9) Diamond Gem Aa A has a nice turn of speed and may not look back here. (6) Rb Grand Slam A seeks a third straight win and could upend the top pick. (2) Rb Motherload A was second in his last two tries and should not be ignored. (8) Quick Rae Aa A might wake up here.