Horse Racing

By Mike Gratton

Preakness Stakes Picks and Betting Advice:

As the field at The Kentucky Derby turned for home at the top of the stretch, Mine That Bird was still nothing more than a blip on the radar. In fact until the final lengths, his name had only been called once and it was more of token gesture than anything else. When the dust settled, though, at odds as high as 50-to-1, Triple Crown betting saw one of its biggest upsets ever on May 2 and it has given oddsmakers a lot to think about as The Preakness betting gathers steam.

Part II of the U.S. Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes is a 1 3/16 mile race run each year on the third Saturday in May at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Nicknamed the “Run for the Black-Eyed Susans” – Maryland’s state flower, online sportsbooks are already reporting higher than average betting activity as race day draws near. At least a part of that has to be accredited to the unexpected finish at Churchill Downs.

The Preakness odds has a much different look to it than horse racing handicappers were projecting just a few weeks ago and as the trainers roll in for light workouts at the track, it’s worth circling a few numbers.

Listed as the early favorite, odds for Rachel Alexandra jumped Monday when Hull withdrew from the race. Paying 4-to-5, Rachel Alexandra would be the first filly to run in the Preakness in a decade and her track record in 2009 suggests this could be where she makes a name. Rachel Alexandra last ran on May 1 at the Kentucky Oaks, winning by more than 20 lengths!

Adding to the attraction is the fact that jockey Calvin Borel has signed on to ride Rachel Alexandra at Pimlico. Borel just happens to be the man that was aboard Mine That Bird on May 2 when it crossed the finish line at The Kentucky Derby. Worth noting is that the last filly to win the Preakness was Nellie Morse – in 1924.

Originally slated to skip this event, Mine That Bird’s (Preakness odds at 3-to-1) performance at The Derby made the colt’s trip to Baltimore a must. Trainer Bennie Woolley Jr. insists he is not thinking about the prospective Triple Crown, which wraps up June 6 when the third leg is run at the Belmont Stakes, but said it wouldn’t be fair to the horse to at least not take a shot.

Triple Crown bettors at SPORTSBETTING.com seem to agree. This sportsbook is reporting action on Mine That Bird “to win” is already high and win or not, it is expected that the colt will be involved in the majority of exactor betting. Jockey Mike Smith, winner of the Kentucky Derby in 2005 aboard Giacomo, will get the mount Saturday.

Other three-year olds near the top of the list are Musket Man (5-to-1) and Papa Clem (6-to-1). Handicappers are also keeping a close tab on Pioneer of the Nile, the horse that entered the Derby as the overall favorite and finished second.

A much smaller field of 19 than the Derby, it looks as if there will be 12 horses racing at Pimlico. While winning all three legs of the Triple Crown has not been accomplished since 1978, eleven horses have won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness in the past 30 years and with added pressure it will make Mine That Bird’s run an exciting one.

Odds for Triple Crown betting are up and matchups are being released at online sportsbooks daily. And just in case anyone was wondering about lightning striking twice, the longshot for the Preakness is Tone It Down. Currently SPORTSBETTING.com has the horse listed with odds of 50-to-1.

Author: Mike Gratton placed his first wager on a horse race in the mid-80s. It was a 2-1 horse to show… and it came in fourth. Mike has progressed to be a successful horse racing handicapper and sports betting mind over the years. He loves to impart the knowledge he has garnered over the years in his articles focused on helping others with their sports betting and horse handicapping.