Horse Racing

Preakness Stakes countdown: Risk Taking and Rombauer review

Planet Sport writerStaff Writer13 May 2021
Rombauer in training

Rombauer in training

Planet Sport continues our look at the horses in the 146th Preakness Stakes at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on Saturday May 15.

The 146th running of the Preakness Stakes will take place late Saturday afternoon at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, where Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit will look to add the second jewel in the Triple Crown.

The Bob Baffert trained colt tested positive for illegal levels of the anti-inflammatory betamethasone that leaves his Derby win in jeopardy, but he has been cleared to run in the Preakness.

Only three horses that were among the 19 entries that started the Kentucky Derby will be on the Pimlico track on Saturday, with all of the four potential starters for trainer Brad Cox on the sidelines.

With the starting positions and morning line odds set, we continue our look at the horses in the field.

Risk Taking (post position 9, 15/1):

The Chad Brown-trained colt didn't break his maiden until his third attempt on December 13th at Aqueduct, then followed it up with a win in the Withers Stakes at the same track on February 6, putting him in contention for a Kentucky Derby invitation.
He skipped the Gotham Stakes to focus on the Wood Memorial on April 3rd but struggled to a seventh-place showing after leaving the starting gate as the favourite.
His 15/1 odds in the morning line seem a bit generous, considering his only race of note is the win in the Withers, and he was a favourite there against a mediocre field that was light on serious Triple Crown contenders.
With an overall record of 2-0-0 in just five starts and earnings of $200,030, almost 70% of which is from his one stakes victory, he would appear to be a bit overmatched in the Preakness.

Rombauer (6, 12/1)

Rombauer had enough qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby to gain entry into the Run for the Roses, but his connections opted instead for his all-expense-paid trip to the Preakness by virtue of his victory in the El Camino Real Derby.
He also picked up points as a runner-up in the American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita in September and with his third-place finish in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 3.

Although the Blue Grass result looks impressive, he was well off the pace of Essential Quality and Highly Motivated, finishing over five lengths out of the runner-up spot, and his win in the El Camino Real Derby was as a big favorite against far inferior competition.

Rombauer has a chance to contend if the pacesetters don't get too far out in front, and he has a chance to stay close to the leaders.
From a betting perspective, Rombauer is a good choice to include in multiple horse wagers, particularly trifecta or superfecta bets, because while somewhat inconsistent, those 12/1 odds will provide for a nice payout on a winning ticket.

He just hasn't exhibited the ability to contend for a win with the favorites like Concert Tour, Medina Spirit, or Midnight Bourbon if they are in form.

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