2017 Preakness Stakes Betting Preview

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.