I think Imperialism is this year's Impeachment (the name's are even close now that I type this out...) He could fly late for a piece in the Preakness, especially if more horses go out for the lead. But, he'll ultimately be overbet at Belmont, as Beyer points out, deep closers who seem to run out of stretch always are bet hard at BEL, and he'll finish off the board(unless he's Victory Gallop, which he isn't -- but even VG got beat at PIM).

I think the quinella at Pimlico will be the same as in the Derby, I just might flip the exacta. The last closer I can remember who was bet at the Preakness off a troubled trip in the Derby was Dollar Bill and I think he ran off the board again (PG - AP Val - Congaree, no?)...I expect a 4th of 5th place finish would be about Imperialism's ceiling too, although maybe he could clunk along for third.

If you want a bomber for PIM, go with history and play the local star, in this case, I guess thats Water Cannon. I'd never heard of him til I saw him on the contenders list at DRF, and he looks a cut below the rest, but those local boys always seem to show up and get a piece...