2023 Preakness Stakes Final Updated Odds

Previous Betting News

The Preakness always attracts new shooters. Although the draw for the Triple Crown’s second jewel won’t happen until next Tuesday, it’s never to early to pre-handicap races like the May 20 event.

Check out early Preakness Stakes odds along with an odds analysis.

Early 2022 Preakness Stakes Betting Favorites | MyBookie Horse Betting Preview

When: Saturday, May 20, 2023
Where: Pimlico Racecourse, Baltimore, MD
TV/Streaming: NBC/Peacock

Why is Derby Winner Mage and Forte both at +300 Odds to Win the Preakness?

Mage was brilliant in the Kentucky Derby. The Gustavo Delgado trainee ran lights out to grab the win. No doubt, Mage should be the favorite to take the Preakness because the Derby winner broke the maiden on the lead. Also, the Preakness will be Mage’s fifth lifetime race, which means the horse has plenty of upside.

Forte scratched the Friday before the Derby. Forte beat Mage to win the Grade 1 Florida Derby. So it makes sense that Forte would be a co-favorite. Don’t be surprised if on race day, Forte is the outright chalk.

What Makes First Mission a +500 Shot to Win the Preakness

Brad Cox is going to rest his Derby runners. Angel of Empire, which finished third in the Kentucky Derby, may come back in the Belmont.

Since Cox is resting his Derby runners, Brad is going to start Lexington Stakes winner First Mission. The lightly raced Street Sense sired and Godolphin owned colt, ran lights out to take the Lexington.

The speed rating puts First Mission close to Forte and Mage. First Mission tracked a terrific Bob Baffert trained horse in Arabian Lion through soft fractions. The Baffert runner looked like a winner at the top of the stretch, but First Mission ran up the rail for a win.

For sure, First Mission is a top Preakness Stakes contender.

Which Horse Among Blazing Sevens, Henry Q, Confidence Game, and National Treasure offers the Fairest Odds to Win the Preakness?

National Treasure is back in the Bob Baffert barn and that makes him one to watch. Treasure changed barns to race for Tim Yakteen so he could qualify for the Derby. If National Treasure goes, we should expect a dynamite performance.

Neither Blazing Sevens nor Henry Q appear to be on First Mission’s, Forte’s, or Mage’s level. Confidence Game didn’t run well in the Derby. So there’s no reason to believe that one picks it up on May 20.

Which Longshot Among Red Route One, Instant Coffee, Chase The Chaos, and Il Miracolo is Worth a Look to Win the Preakness Stakes?

Il Miracolo and Chase The Chaos aren’t fast enough to win the Preakness. But Red Route One and Instant Coffee could surprise.

Red Route One beat Tapit Shoes and Victory Formation in the Bath House Stakes in the last. Victory Formation was a winter book Derby choice among players. More improvement makes Red Route One a possible upset contender.

Instant Coffee was another that generated Derby buzz earlier this year. The Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club winner bombed in the Louisiana Derby. But if the pace is swift, and if Instant Coffee has put on weight and improved, the Cox trained runner can surprise.

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Updated Preakness Stakes Odds

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MyBookie Betting Lines for the Race

I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?

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MyBookie Odds for the Races

Triple Crown Betting Alert
Get ready to witness history in the making in 2024! As we gear up for the Kentucky Derby, remember to keep an eye on the news for the Preakness Stakes odds and the Belmont Stakes odds. Will there be a Triple Crown winner in 2024? Join us as we analyze the contenders and explore the thrilling possibilities, guiding you towards your winning bets on each leg of the Triple Crown journey!

Previous Betting News

On Saturday, Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit looks to add another Triple Crown jewel to his resume when he takes on 9 rivals in the 2021 Preakness Stakes. Medina Spirit has looked great in the mornings. His trainer, Bob Baffert, isn’t playing favorites. While Medina is the chalk on the morning line, Baffert trained Concert Tour is the second choice. See below for win, place, show, and fourth place Preakness Stakes picks. 

Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds from Preakness Stakes for Saturday, May 15. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks. 

Preakness Stakes: Plenty of Value After Top 3 Betting Choices

2021 Preakness Stakes 

When: Saturday, May 15
Where: Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, MD
Weather: Mostly Sunny

2021 Preakness Stakes Odds

Win: Rombauer

Surprised? Don’t be. In the Kentucky Derby, Medina Spirit got away with a ridiculously soft second-quarter. Once Johnny Velasquez got Medina to the front, the Baffert trained runner coasted to a 24 to 25 second-quarter. 

The half came out to more than 47 seconds. That’s slow at this level. There’s no way Medina gets away with slow fractions in the Preakness, which is why stalker Rombauer is the top pick.

The Mike McCarthy trained three-year old sired by Twirling Candy finished third behind Essential Quality and Highly Motivated in the Grade 2 Blue Grass in his last. McCarthy decided to forego a start in the Derby so Rombauer could prepare for the Preakness.

Although Rombauer must run faster than he has before to win on Saturday, his flexibility makes him an attractive longshot. When he won the El Camino Real Derby, he came from 11 lengths behind. In the Blue Grass Stakes, Rombauer stayed 2 lengths behind for most of the race.

He tired in the stretch, but still managed to hold on for third. If he’s ready, and McCarthy will ensure he is, Rombauer could pull of the upset win. 

Second: Crowded Trade 

Midnight Bourbon, Medina Spirit, and Concert Tour should all go for the lead. If that happens, horses like Rombauer, stalkers 2 to 3 lengths off the pace, will have an edge.

One of those horses with an edge is Chad Brown trained Crowded Trade. Brown won the 2017 Preakness with Cloud Computing. His horse in the 2021 Preakness has a similar style to Cloud Computing’s.

Crowded Trade looked great when losing the Gotham stakes by a nose. The More Than Ready sired runner bounced in the Wood Memorial. He’s been working great. A return to form puts him into the Top 3. 

If he’s matured since the Wood, and he returns to his best form, Crowded Trade can win. 

Third: Risk Taking

After a bobble at the start, Risk Taking lost all chance of winning the Wood Memorial. The horse appeared confused after bobbling. That, more than any other reason, is why Risk Taking didn’t respond to the jockey’s urging.

The second horse trained by Chad Brown, Risk Taking was all the rage after winning the Grade 3 Withers by 3 ¾ lengths. The Medaglia d’Oro sired equine has a smooth action to his stride. He’s as graceful of a racehorse as you’re ever going to see.

Like Crowded Trade, Risk Taking has worked great leading up to the Preakness. He’s another underdog with a chance to end Medina Spirit’s Triple Crown bid.  

Fourth: Medina Spirit

The Kentucky Derby runner is a tough, talented, strong-willed horse. But we must face facts. Medina got an easy lead in the Derby because Midnight Bourbon couldn’t get to the front, Hot Rod Charlie hung back, and Rock Your World got slammed at the start.

Medina won’t get an easy lead on Saturday. Still, he’s a better choice to round out the superfecta than either Midnight Bourbon or Concert Tour.

We don’t know how good Concert Tour is while Midnight Bourbon has yet to take the next step. Medina Spirit should hang on for fourth. But unless he’s gotten better since the Derby victory, he won’t win the Preakness Stakes. 

I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?

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Previous Betting News

The draw for the 2021 Preakness Stakes happened on Tuesday, May 11. As to be expected, Pimlico Race Course will allow Medina Spirit to run. The Bob Baffert trained horse failed a drug test after crossing the finish line first in the Kentucky Derby. Baffert has agreed to additional testing so that Medina can get on the track. Heading into the second half of the week, the Derby winner remains the chalk. Baffert’s other runner, Concert Tour, is second-choice. Check out current odds on MyBookie as well as a mid-week Preakness Stakes odds analysis. 

You can also check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds from Preakness Stakes for Saturday, May 15. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks. 

Mid-Week Preakness Stakes Updated Odds: Medina Spirit and Concert Tour are Chalks

2021 Preakness Stakes

When: Saturday, May 15
Where: Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, MD
Weather: Partly Cloudy

2021 Preakness Stakes Odds

Among the top four choices, Medina Spirit, Concert Tour, Crowded Trade, and Midnight Bourbon, which offers the fairest odds?

Midnight Bourbon’s trainer, Steve Asmussen, has said that on Saturday his horse will either go for the lead or press the pace. Concert Tour has a go for the lead or press the pace style. Medina Spirit has won his races either a length off or on the lead.

The three top choices shouldn’t give each other a break. We should witness a much faster first half-mile than what we saw in the Kentucky Derby. 

Because the three chalks will go after each other early, the horse offering the fairest odds among the top four choices is Crowded Trade. Based on at least one speed rating, Crowded Trade has run faster than any other horse in the race.

If Crowded Trade produces the same race that he did in the Gotham, the Chad Brown trained runner should roll right by Concert Tour, Midnight Bourbon, and Medina Spirit.

Which horse among Risk Taking, Rombauer, Keepmeinmind, and Unbridled Honor offers overlay odds?

Keepmeinmind may have peaked when finishing third behind Essential Quality and Hot Rod Charlie in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Even though he won the Kentucky Jockey Club, Keepmeinmind didn’t run as fast as he did in the BC Juvenile.

Unbridled Honor could take a step forward. But he’d have to really improve to win the Preakness. The Todd Pletcher trained runner may not take enough of a step forward.

Rombauer and Risk Taking, though, offer overlay odds. Risk Taking bobbled at the start of the Wood Memorial. He’s got an excuse for running so badly. Rombauer ran great when finishing third behind Essential Quality and Highly Motivated in the Grade 2 Blue Grass.

The Mike McCarthy trainee is versatile. He laid 2 lengths off the front runners in the Blue Grass. Rombauer won the El Camino Real Derby by coming out of the clouds. On Saturday, Rombauer could get a perfect spot, 2 to 3 lengths behind the front runners. If he’s improved at all, the Twirling Candy sired runner could win the second jewel.   

Based on the current odds, should horseplayers consider wagering on France Go de Ina or Ram?

Wayne Lukas, Ram’s trainer, is shooting for the moon. Ram looked good in his last race. But it was an allowance. Ram has the breeding to win the Preakness. But it doesn’t look like he’s matured enough as a racehorse to get into the winner’s circle.

France Go de Ina, though, could pull off the upset. The horse may be the best bred runner in the field. Will Take Charge sired while Dreamy Blues, France Go de Ina’s broodmare, calls Curlin her sire. 

Don’t look past France Go de Ina to pull off a miracle victory. No horse in the race, including Medina Spirit, appears much better than many of the other contenders. Who knows? 

Ina’s Japanese connections didn’t send the runner to Baltimore just so they could order awesome crab cakes. So if you want to back a +2000 or higher longshot, France Go de Ina is the one. 

Preakness Stakes Betting News

Preakness Stakes Odds | Horse Racing News

Previous Betting News

The final Triple Crown horse race of 2020 is here! Authentic, the Kentucky Derby winner, will offer underlay odds to take the final jewel of this year’s Triple Crown. But underlay odds doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t win the race. Will trainer Bob Baffert notch his eighth Preakness victory with the Derby winner? Or will one of Authentic’s rivals take it to the front-running monster? Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds from Preakness Stakes for Saturday, October 3. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.

Preakness Stakes Horse Racing Odds & Picks: Authentic Looks for 2 Straight

2020 Preakness Stakes

When: Saturday, Oct. 3
Where: Pimlico Racecourse, Baltimore, MD

2020 Preakness Stakes Odds

Preakness Stakes Race Analysis

In our early Preakness article, we chose Authentic over Swiss Skydiver, Art Collector, and NY Traffic. That was before some owners and trainers decided to enter. Now that we know exactly who is running, we’ve changed our picks.

Before getting to our top four, let’s talk about how the race will run. To beat Authentic, you must take a big chance. Even though Authentic ran fast early in the Derby, no horse was there to challenge him. If Tiz the Law had gone up to Authentic before the first turn, instead of waiting until the top of the stretch, the Belmont winner may have beaten Authentic.

With that in mind, and if we want to beat the favorite, we must look for a horse that has enough speed to stay close and with an aggressive enough jockey to make an early move on the Derby favorite. That horse’s name is Penumatic. 

Top Pick: Pneumatic 20/1

The Steve Asmussen trainee has never run a bad race. Even his Belmont Stakes try can’t be considered a bad run. Sure, he finished 7 ¾ lengths behind Tiz the Law. But the son of Uncle Mo and a Tapit sired broodmare, Teardrop, went 3 to 4 wide around the first turn and 5 wide around the final turn. It was also Pneumatic’s fourth lifetime race. He had a reason to tire in the stretch.

Horses improve big time from month-to-month their three-year-old season. Pneumatic won the Pegasus Stakes in August. He ran a speed rating that makes him a challenger in this. Asmussen has two Preakness wins under his belt with Curlin and Rachel Alexandra. Steve put some great works into this guy leading up to this. 

Also, jockey Joe Bravo is known as a speed jock, meaning he’ll make sure Authentic doesn’t get too far in front of him. Expect a massive effort from the 20/1 shot. 

Second Choice: Authentic 9/5

Bob Baffert’s Derby winning beast has failed just once in 5 lifetime starts. Authentic lost the Santa Anita Derby when running second behind Honor A.P. If you study that race, you’ll realize that he broke slow, went 3 wide, and then drifted in the stretch. What really  happened? Jockey Drayden Van Dyke and Baffert tried to get Authentic to rate. He didn’t like that. 

Authentic runs best when he can get the lead. He doesn’t want to see horsesin front of him. Expect jockey John Velasquez to use the same tactics in the Preakness that he used in the Derby. Johnny V. will gun Authentic to the front. If Joe Bravo aboard Pneumatic, who breaks next to Authentic, doesn’t go with the Derby winner, the race could be over. Authentic will go home first in the Preakness just like he did in the Derby. 

Third Choice: Swiss Skydiver 6/1

Jockey Robby Albarado picks up the call on Kentucky Oaks second-place finisher Swiss Skydiver. Although Tyler Gaffalione gave the Oaks runner up a decent chance to win that Grade 1 race, trainer Kenny McPeek may want a more aggressive ride in the Preakness.

When Swiss Skydiver runs close to the lead, she’s tough to beat. She won the 1 ¼ mile Alabama Stakes at Saratoga after grabbing a 3 length lead at the second call. She could absolutely win the Preakness if Authentic and Pneumatic go after each other early. The key for Albarado will be gauging if he should engage those two likely front-runners from the gate or lay off and hope the Derby winner slows down before the final turn.

Fourth Choice: Art Collector 5/2 

The Thomas Drury trainee has won 5 straight. Because of that, he deserves the low second choice odds. But let’s not kid ourselves. Winning the Blue Grass Stakes in July doesn’t compare to winning a Triple Crown race in October.

Drury had Art Collector primed for a Derby run. Unfortunately, he came up with a small injury. Horses don’t always recover even from small injuries. Also, the best horse he beat is Swiss Skydiver. Art Collector got the perfect trip in that after Skydiver carved out 6 furlongs in 1:10.3.

There are some things to like about Art Collector. He comes into this off an injury, has never faced a field this deep, and could be in a tough position breaking to the inside of Swiss Skydiver, Thousand Words, Ny Traffic, Authentic, and Pneumatic. 

There’s also a chance he gets overplayed due to the shiny record. Art Collector is a must use in the superfecta. Be careful about backing him to win at the likely low odds, though.  

Preakness Stakes Betting News

Preakness Stakes Odds | Horse Racing News

Previous Betting News

The final Triple Crown horse race of the year happens on Saturday, October 3. Although Belmont and Travers winner Tiz the Law will skip the Run for the Blackeyed Susans to ready for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Kentucky Derby winner Authentic will enter the starting gate. The Baffert trainee faces serious speed in filly Swiss Skydiver, though. Will Authentic prove too tough to get by in the Preakness? Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds from Preakness Stakes for Saturday, October 3. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.

Horse Racing Odds & Pick | Preakness Stakes Early Predictions

2020 Preakness Stakes

When: Saturday, October 3
Where: Pimlico Racecourse, Baltimore, MD
Weather: Mostly Sunny

Win: Authentic +125

Right now, it’s difficult seeing any contender out running Authentic to the first turn. Swiss Skydiver has enough speed to do it. But if the filly goes after Authentic before the first turn, her jockey could compromise her chances to win.

Once Authentic gets the lead, he’s almost impossible to run down. Since no horse entered, including Thousands Words if he goes, should push Authentic early, the Derby winner looks like a lock.

Place: Swiss Skydiver +1400 

The Kenny McPeek trained daughter of Daredevil and Exo Gold was right there in the Kentucky Oaks. If not for the best performance of Shedaresthedevil’s life, Swiss Skydiver would have run by and won the Oaks. She’s a talented enough filly to win the Preakness. She should also be a length or two off Authentic. 

If the Derby winner isn’t at the top of his game on Saturday, she’s the likeliest winner. One advantage? She’s much smaller than the boys, which means her jockey should have no trouble getting her through traffic if it’s required.

Show: Art Collector +350

Trained by Thomas Drury Jr., Art Collector has enough speed to stay close to Authentic as well. He hasn’t raced against a field nearly as good as this yet, but he has won five races in a row. If he can stick with Authentic early, Art Collector may have a shot. 

The problem? We know Authentic will fight in the stretch. We also know Swiss Skydiver will give it her all. We’re not one-hundred percent positive Art Collector won’t give up if things get tough. 

Fourth: Ny Traffic +1800

The second-place finisher in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational over the summer was out of his element in the Kentucky Derby. Traffic runs most effectively when he’s near the lead. But Authentic got the first quarter at Churchill Downs in less than 23 seconds. It’s tough to go all in so early in a 1 ¼ mile race. The Preakness is at 1 3/16ths, though. So, whomever is on NYT’s back, the jockey should gun it from the outset to stay no more than a length behind Authentic.

Previous Betting News

Bob Baffert trained Authentic upset Tiz the Law to win the 220 Kentucky Derby. There’s no rest for either top 3-year-old as both will contend for the Preakness Stakes, the final jewel in this year’s COVID-19 affected Triple Crown. Will Tiz the Law turn the tables on his rival? Will Authentic make it two TC races in a row? What longshots have a chance to upset the two favorites? Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds from Preakness Stakes for Saturday, October 3. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.

Early Preakness Stakes Horse Racing Picks & Preview

When: Saturday, October 3
Where: Pimlico Racecourse, Baltimore, MD
Weather: Sunny

2020 Early Preakness Stakes Odds

Which horse, Authentic, Tiz the Law, or Art Collector deserves the most attention to win the Preakness Stakes?

More early speed is signed on for the Preakness. King Guillermo is a front-runner. Thousand Words, another Baffert trainee, is also a front-runner while Ny Traffic figures to be much closer on Preakness Day. Also, don’t think for a moment that Manny Franco aboard Tiz the Law won’t press Authentic from the beginning.

At +150, we must look past Authentic. The odds don’t justify a wager because the Preakness should be a much different race than the Derby. We should also look past Tiz the Law. Why? If Franco does go after Authentic early, that could compromise the Law’s chances.

Art Collector at +350 offers the best odds and has the best shot among the three favorites. The Bernardini sired runner is on a 5-race winning streak. He’s won on the lead, pressing from a length off, and coming from the clouds. 

Jockey Brian Hernandez has a lot of options with Art Collector. If you want to back chalk, he’s the chalk horse to back.  

Which horses at +2000 odds or less have the best chance of upsetting the favorites?

Thousand Words scratched in the Derby paddock. The horse has the ability to win a Triple Crown race. Bob Baffert wouldn’t enter Thousand Words into the Preakness unless he felt the horse could win.

With the right trip, Mr. Big News, the third place finisher in the Kentucky Derby, could take the blackeyed-susans. The Preakness is a shorter race than the Derby. That could help Mr. Big News. He made a menacing move around the Derby’s final turn but couldn’t sustain it. If he makes the same move around Pimlico’s tighter final turn, he might catch the front runners.

There are all sorts of reasons to like Mystic Guide. Godolphin owns, Michael Stidham trains, and Guide won the Grade 2 Jim Dandy in his last. The Ghostzapper sired runner can close from the clouds or press the pace. He has a chance on Oct. 3. 

What longshots at +2500 odds or more can upset the likely Preakness field?

Happy Saver won the Federico Tesio Stakes, the prep for the Preakness. The horse also runs for trainer Todd Pletcher and is undefeated after three races. He deserves a long look at +2500 odds.

If Tap It to Win goes, he’ll be another +2500 contender to consider. Mark Casse won the 2019 Preakness with War of Will. Tap It to Win did all the running in the Belmont Stakes before fading to fifth in the stretch. Since then, he’s finished second in the 7-furlong Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Stakes and third in the Grade 2 Pat Day Mile.

Casse could have Tap It to Win coming up to his very best race. If Casse enters Tap It to Win, we can’t discount for the victory at massive odds.

Previous Betting News

Unless Stronach run Pimlico Race Course decides to deny Medina Spirit’s entry due to the Derby winner’s positive test for a banned drug, the Bob Baffert trained runner should gallop out of the Preakness starting gate one of the favorites. Take a look at more info on the May 15 Preakness Stakes as well as top-graded action at Pimlico on Friday and Saturday. 

Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds for the Top Stakes Races of the Week from Friday, May 14th to Saturday, May 15th. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.

Top Stakes Races for the Week: Medina Spirit Goes for Second Jewel

Pimlico Racecourse – Friday, May 14th Races

Grade 3 Miss Preakness Stakes – 6 furlongs dirt – $150,000

At least 9 three-year-old fillies figure to contend for the winner’s share of the 2021 Miss Preakness Stakes. Among the more popular runners are Steve Asmussen trained Abrogate and Inject from the Brad Cox barn. 

Grade 3 Pimlico Special Stakes – 1 3/16 miles dirt – $250,000

Close to 10 horses figure to enter the starting gate for the $250,000 Pimlico Special. Harper’s First Ride won the 2020 race. Trainer Robertino Diodoro plans to enter Harper in the 2021 Pimlico Special. Cordmaker, Max Player, Modernist, Fearless, and Enforceable should also run.  

Grade 3 Black Eyed Susan Stakes – 1 1/8 miles dirt – $250,000

Close to a dozen runners should line up for the Grade 3 Black Eyed Susan. The favorite, no doubt, will be Bob Baffert trained Beautiful Gift. Other three-year-old fillies attracting action should be Mike Maker trained Army Wife, Willful Woman from the Steve Asmussen barn, Todd Pletcher trained Iced Latte, and Brad Cox trained Adventuring. 

Pimlico Racecourse – Saturday, May 15th Races

Grade 3 Gallorette Stakes – 1 1/16 miles turf – $150,000

Trainers Chad Brown and Graham Motion both intend to start a couple of runners in the Gallorette. Brown will put the saddle on Flighty Lady and Great Island. Motion will saddle Tuned and front-running Mean Mary. Shug McGaughey trained Vigilante’s Way could go off the chalk. Christophe Clement will saddle Feel Glorious. If Clement’s runner and Mean Mary duel on the front end, the pair could set it up for a closer.  

Grade 3 Maryland Sprint Stakes – 6 furlongs dirt – $150,000

Edgemont Road, Mucho, and Strike Power figure to attract the most action. Horseplayers shouldn’t look past either of Greg Capuano’s runners, Tappin Cat and Three Over Deuces. Capuano is one of the top trainers in Maryland.   

Grade 2 Dinner Party Stakes – 1 1/16 miles turf – $250,000

Chad Brown trained Sacred Life figures to offer favorite’s odds. Somelikeithotbrown, Midnight Tea Time, and English Bee will also attract action. Bye Bye Melvin, trained by Graham Motion, could be sitting on a big effort. Last October, the four-year-old colt finished second behind Don Juan Kitten over the Pimlico grass in the James W. Murphy. 

Grade 1 The Preakness Stakes – 1 3/16 miles – $1,000,000 

Medina Spirit should have no problems running the Grade 1 Preakness on Saturday. The Bob Baffert trained colt may get disqualified from the Derby. That won’t stop Baffert from running the horse in the second jewel. But Medina Spirit won’t get as easy of a lead in the Preakness as he did in the Derby. Expect Crowded Trade, Midnight Bourbon, Ram, Concert Tour, and Rombauer to either all go to the front, or lie right off the pacesetter. The first half-mile of the Preakness should be ultra-quick. 

Previous Betting News

The 124th version of the Kentucky Derby is now over and done with, which means we start the annual conversation about whether or not we have another Triple Crown winner in our midst. Always Dreaming won the Derby in some style, and is currently now training at the Pimlico Race Track in Maryland, where the next leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes, will be run on Saturday, May 20th at about 6:45 PM EST. Always Dreaming will be going up against some familiar foes, as he will be facing several horses that took part in the Derby, but he will also have some new challengers added to the mix, all of whom will be fresh after having some extended time off. Let’s look at who are likely to be some of the main contenders in the 2017 Preakness Stakes. Find the latest horse racing betting odds here.

Here’s A Closer Look At The 2017 Preakness Stakes Betting Preview

Always Dreaming

The Kentucky Derby winner is sure to be the favorite for this race, as he confounded the critics by putting in a great run at Churchill Downs. His detractors said that he didn’t have the experience necessary to win the big race, especially as he only had one other stakes races under his belt prior to the Derby. This was a field with no real standout horses, and the same can be said for the Preakness, which is why he needs to be considered the one to beat.

Lookin at Lee

While this horse only has 2 wins from his 10 career starts, he is one that cannot be ignored. If he pace gets hot up front, his big closing style could prove to be very beneficial. He put in a great run in the Kentucky Derby, passing a lot of horses in the home stretch on his way to a second place finish. This is a much smaller field, so he will have less horses in his way when he heads home at Pimlico.

Classic Empire

I would suggest that if any horse is going to break up the Triple Crown hopes of Always Dreaming, it will be this one. Classic Empire had a nightmare trip at the Derby, getting bumped at the start and forced wide in the midstretch. Despite all of those obstacles, he still managed to get up and finish in 4th place. What would he have been able to do if he had been given a clean trip?

Gunnevera

This horse finished 7th in the Derby, with his jockey blaming the wet track for the less than stellar showing. Gunnevera certainly did not look comfortable throughout, but is one to watch this weekend, assuming that Pimlico remains dry on race day. Sure to be a bit of a longshot, but one that could well get in the money.

Cloud Computing

This is one that is going to be had at a price, thanks in large part to the fact that he has only raced 3 times in his career, and all at Aqueduct. This is a horse that looks set to make a big jump, though, as his 3nd place finish at the Wood Memorial and 2nd place finish in the Gotham Stakes suggest that this horse can hang with the big boys.

Previous Betting News

No-one really remembers the runner-up in any sport, and unfortunately for Exaggerator, he has made a habit of running second when going against Nyquist. After finishing second in the Kentucky Derby, Exaggerator has now finished behind Nyquist on 4 separate occasions, but he will be looking at the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 21 as his chance to right those wrongs, whilst also putting the kybosh on Nyquist’s Triple Crown attempt. Make no mistake about it, though, this is a very good horse indeed, and with a little bit of luck, as well as a clean ride, he could be the one in the winner’s circle this weekend. Let’s take a little bit of a closer look at what Exaggerator will be bringing to Pimlico Race Track on the weekend and how it can benefit horse racing lines fans.

Exaggerator’s 2016 Preakness Stakes Betting Profile

Exaggerator’s History

Exaggerator is a Kentucky-bred colt out of Curlin and Dawn Raid, by Vindication. Unlike many horses that reach this level in their 3-year old season, Exaggerator was actually a little bit of a slow starter. He finished in 5th spot in his first career start before breaking his maiden in his second race at Del Mar. He won his next race at Grade 2, and then moved up to Grade 1, where he finished second in the Claiborne Breeder’s Futurity. He ran 4th in the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile, before finishing out his 2-year old season with a win in the Grade 3 Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes.

Prior to the Kentucky Derby, Exaggerator had 3 starts in 2016, all of which saw him finish in the money. The highlight was a win at the Santa Anita Derby, which was the race prior to the Derby. He put in a game effort in the Run for the Roses, but came up a little short heading down the home stretch.

Jockey, Trainer, and Owner Info

Exaggerator is ridden by Kent Desormeaux, a 3-time Derby winner, and is trained by Kent’s brother Keith. The two men are very much a contrast in styles, and have what can best be described as a working relationship. Kent has a bit of a troubled past, with alcohol issues putting a bit of a damper on his career in recent years. Winning the Preakness on Exaggerator would certainly go a long way towards proving that he still has what it takes to win the big races.

Exaggerator is owned by Big Chief Racing, and was purchased for the bargain basement price of $110,000. That has proven to be a very solid investment, as Exaggerator has managed to rake in a little over $2 million in his 10 career starts.

Preakness Outlook

Exaggerator has had a bit of a tough time when going against Nyquist, but you never know what might happen in a big race. Exaggerator may have a shot if the pace gets particularly hot up front, and the shorter distance in this one may also help him. Realistically, though, he is probably looking at a 2nd or 3rd place finish.

Previous Betting News

If you are looking to make some real money that the 141t running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 21, then you are going to have to take a little dip into the exotic bets. We will go with some straight up exotics in another post, but for those of you with some money to spend, you will definitely want to read on here, as I am going to talk about increasing your chances of winning by boxing your wagers. When your box your selections, you are playing the same horses, but giving yourself more potential winning combinations. Trying to figure out the exact finishing order of any race is difficult, but it gets a little easier when boxing your wagers, as it allows a little room for error, depending of course on how many horses you have on your ticket. To keep up with the latest odds for the 2016 Preakness Stakes Race make sure to visit our Horse Racing Lines portal.

2016 Preakness Stakes Box Picks

Boxing the exacta

With the exacta bet, you are predicting the order of finish for 1st and 2nd. A standard exacta ticket can be had for a single dollar, but that means you have to get the order right on the nose. Tough to do in this type of field, which is why the exacta box is a much safer option. I will usually choose 3 horses to box when placing an exacta wager, which means that there are 6 possible winning combinations on a single ticket. Your total ticket price is the number of combinations multiplied by your wager, which is this case would be $6 for a $1 stake. You can add as many horses as you like, but the ticket cost rises with each horse added. In the Preakness, I will likely go with Nyquist, Exaggerator, and Stradivari on my ticket, although I will wait until the post-position draw before making a final decision. Another option here is to go with the quinella. It actually works like an exacta box, although it delivers shorter odds than you get with the exacta.

Boxing the trifecta and superfecta

These box bets work on the very same principle used with the exacta box, only this time you are looking at more horses. The trifecta wager requires you to pick the order of finish for the top 3 horses, while the superfecta is a prediction of the top 4. Both are very difficult to get right when going straight up, but once again, the boxed ticket increases your number of winning combinations. A 4-horse trifecta box gives you 24 potential winning combinations on a single ticket, and will therefore cost $24 for a $1 stake. For this bet, I would be looking at adding Gun Runner, or something even longer priced, depending on how the draw goes. The superfecta box using 4 horses will cost you $24, but it goes all the way up to $120 if you want to add a 5th horse into the mix. It may seem like a lot of money, but if you can nail these exotics down, you could potentially be walking away with thousands of dollars, especially if one of your longshot selections gets on the board.