Kentucky Derby weekend starts in earnest with the Friday running of the Kentucky Oaks.
The Preakness Stakes kicks-off its weekend of festivities on Friday with the Black-Eyed Susan.
The $300,000 dollar, Grade II for 3-year-old fillys is not a Grade 1 Stakes like the Oaks, but this year’s Black-Eyed Susan offers a solid field that should be an interesting race to watch and wager on.
Here’s a brief look at the field for the 2025 Black-Eyed Susan:
1. LIAM IN THE DUST [ML 6-1] Jockey: John Velazquez. Trainer: Rodolphe Brisset. She rebounded last time out finishing 2nd after a disappointing effort in a Stakes race. Only Win came in her debut but if she takes a step forward after her last start, she could be in the mix.
2. PRINCESS ALIYAH [ML 15-1] Jockey: Nik Juarez. Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas. Didn’t fire in the Eight Belles Stakes, run at seven furlongs last out. If she can revert to her previous performance when running against lesser company, she could be a threat.
3. MARGIE’S INTENTION [ML 3-1] Jockey: Flavien Prat. Trainer: Brad Cox. Gets a new trainer after a pair of runner-up finishes in Louisiana-bred Stakes. She’s on the improve and the top spot is certainly within her grasp.
4. RUNNIN N GUNNIN [ML 5-1] Jockey: Jose Ortiz. Trainer: Steve Asmussen. Has not raced since late March when she was 3rd in the Grade 2 Fantasy Stakes. In that race she rang up a big boost in her speed figures and was given some time off after the race. She could be a contender if she duplicates that effort.
5. KINZIE QUEEN [ML 10-1] Jockey: Junior Alvarado. Trainer: Greg Compton. She enters here coming off a sharp Allowance Win but has yet to show she can be a factor in a Graded Stakes event.
6. PARIS LILY [ML 8-1] Jockey: Joel Rosario. Trainer: Brendan Walsh. Won in front-running fashion in her last race, which was run in the slop. Rain or shine on Friday, she looms a major factor in a race without much early speed.
7. REPLY [ML 8-1] Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Trainer: Brittany Russell. Staged a strong rally to finish 2nd in the Weber City Miss Stakes (a prep for this race) at Laurel Park. She gets some added distance here which, seemingly, helps her cause and (at the right price) makes her a solid Value proposition.
8. AMARTH [ML 4-1] Jockey: Luis Saez. Trainer: Eddie Kenneally. Ran 5th in the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland after a runner-up finish in the Busher Stakes. She has been working nicely since the Ashland and seems like a serious player in this competitive field.
9. MOON CACHE [ML 20-1] Jockey: Raul Mena. Trainer: Michael Gorham. Was a close 3rd in the aforementioned Weber City Miss Stakes and with the right trip could land in the bottom of exotics at a nice price.
The Black-Eyed Susan is slated as race 13 on a card of 14 with a scheduled Post Time of 5:45.
Best of luck however you play it.
