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Fred Faour: Preakness picks and plays for Saturday's race

Fred Faour: Preakness picks and plays for Saturday's race
Justify will try to stay unbeaten. Santaanita.com

Saturday's Preakness Stakes features the return of Kentucky Derby standout Justify, as he tries to add the second leg of the Triple Crown to his brief resume. He was brilliant in Kentucky, and will take some beating in this spot. This field is smaller and not nearly as talented as the group he conquered in Kentucky. The key to making money will be getting a long shot or two behind him in the trifectas. So with that in mind, here we go:

The picks

1) Justify

2) Good Magic

3) Lone Sailor

4) Diamond King

5) Quip

The plays

All of our plays require a little knowledge of the game. If you have not picked up a copy of Acing Racing or Acing Racing 2016, we highly recommend it.

The most likely scenario is also the worst from a betting standpoint. Justify likely takes command early, with Quip, Diamond King, Tenfold and perhaps Good Magic chasing. Justify pulls away, and Good Magic outfinishes the others for the favorites to run 1-2. So pucnhing a few 7-5 exactas is not a bad plan, just don't expect much return. I would also hit an exacta or two with Lone Sailor in second (7-2). As for the trifectas, there are three ways to approach the bets: A simple Justify over Good Magic over ALL play in hopes of getting a long shot in third. It's a cheap, $6 play for a $1 ticket. (7 with 2-5 with ALL).

We will also take Justify over Good Magic, Lone Sailor, Quip and Sporting Chance over Good Magic, Lone Sailor, Quip, Sporting Chance and Diamond King for $1. That is $16. 7 with 1-2-3-5 with 1-2-3-4-5.

Finally, we will do the .50 "Barbaro" trifecta, just in case something goes horribly wrong, keying Good Magic first and second with Justify, Lone Sailor and Quip with ALL. That is an $18 ticket, and covers if Justify wins, but also leaves open the possibility of huge payout if something goes wrong with him.  (5 with 1-2-7 with ALL. 1-2-7 with 5 with all.

I would also consider playing some show and place bets on Lone Sailor.

Good luck with your wagers. We will make the real money at the Belmont.

 

 

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The A's beat the Astros, 3-1. Photo by David Berding/Getty Images.

Nick Kurtz homered in the ninth inning for the second straight day and the Athletics beat the Houston Astros 3-1 on Monday night.

Brent Rooker drew a leadoff walk against Bryan Abreu (1-3) to open the ninth and reach safely in 12 straight home games. Kurtz followed with his seventh home run of the season 447 feet over the right-field wall.

Kurtz also hit a ninth-inning homer on Sunday to rally the Athletics to a 3-2 win and a three-game sweep at Kansas City.

The Athletics have won four straight games and are now 7-4 over the last 11 after losing 20 of the previous 21.

The Astros had a five-game winning streak snapped after entering winners in 16 of their last 22.

Athletics reliever J.T. Ginn struck out the side in the eighth and Mason Miller (1-2) added two strikeouts in the ninth. Starter Mitch Spence allowed seven hits and one earned run in five innings.

Third baseman Max Muncy made a nice defensive play to end the fifth when he made a backhand stab of a grounder and sent a jump throw from foul territory to get a hustling Jose Altuve at first base.

Houston rookie Ryan Gusto struck out a season-high eight and only allowed one earned run in five innings. He started in place of RHP Lance McCullers Jr., who was placed on the IL.

Altuve homered in the first and JJ Bleday went deep to tie the score 1-1 for the Athletics in the fifth.

Key moment

The Athletics appeared to have runners on second and third with two outs in the eighth following Tyler Soderstrom’s hit. However, an official review showed Jeremy Peña tagged Soderstrom when he came off the bag.

Key stat

Abreu had a string of 16 straight scoreless outings come to an end. Abreu has only allowed runs in three of his 32 appearances.

Up next

Athletics LHP JP Sears (5-5, 5.08) is scheduled to start on Tuesday. The Astros have not named a starter.

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