Bob Ehalt and Tom Pedulla became fast friends when they met on their first day at Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx, N.Y., in 1970. Bob soon introduced Tom to the joys of Thoroughbred racing.

They have endured some rough moments at the track, with Tom taking exception when Bob repeatedly smacks him on the back with a program as one of their horses launches an all-out drive. Much to Tom’s chagrin and the amusement of onlookers, Bob has been known to call for security as he proceeds to cash a $27 triple.

A solid nine-horse field is lined up for Saturday’s 150th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, and the $2 million second jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown shapes up as a good betting race despite a clear favorite in Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve runner-up Journalism.