The second leg of this year’s Triple Crown racing season for three-year old thoroughbred’s takes place this Saturday afternoon with the running of the 138th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Track in Maryland. This Grade I stakes race will be run on a dirt track over the distance of 1 ¼ miles and the total prize purse for this event is $1 million.
Preakness Overview
Just two weeks ago at Churchill Downs, Orb kicked-off the run for the Triple Crown with a dramatic come-from-behind victory in the Kentucky Derby, which is considered the Crown Jewel of this three-race series. The 2 ½ length victory was not unexpected after he went off as the 5/1 favorite to win, but the fact that this colt showed such great closing speed after trailing the whole race was impressive to say the least. This has set Orb up as the 1/1 odds-on-favorite to win the Preakness on Bovada’s current board.
The rest of the expected 14-horse field still has a few open spots with just eight other contenders confirmed at this time. The second-favorite to win this race is Departing at 5/1. This three-year old gelding did not run in the Kentucky Derby, which could actually work to his advantage since he has not raced since winning the Illinois Derby on April 20 at Hawthorne. There is no doubt that trainer Al Stall has made good use of the extra time off to get his horse ready for this race. Ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., Departed could be the biggest threat to ending Orb’s Triple Crown chances.
A few horses in the field for the Preakness that did run in the Kentucky Derby include Goldencents at 7/1, Itsmyluckyday and Mylute at 9/1, Will Take Charge at 12/1 and Oxbow at 14/1. Of the five, Mylute posted the best finish at Churchill Downs by taking fifth. Goldencents had to be the biggest disappointment with a 17th-place finish after going off as one of the favorites.
Preakness Wagering Strategy
The money will continue to pour in on Orb as the betting public is starved for a Triple Crown contender so his odds to win will only keep going down the closer we get to post time. If you decide to go against this horse than your best bet would be on Departing as he is clearly the second-best horse in the field. My wagering strategy for this race would be to wheel Orb with Departing, Mylute and Oxbow (who finished sixth in the Derby) in an exacta bet. You will not be able to retire on the payout, but it gives you the best chance to cash-in.