The 2nd leg of the Triple Crown takes place on Saturday. It will not be as heralded a race as the Kentucky Derby last month or the past 2 years with Triple Crowns on the line. Here are the details.

Preakness Stakes, Saturday, May 18th – Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore 6:48 PM Eastern/5:48 PM Central

Run for the Black Eyed Susans Saturday

With the calamity that was the Kentucky Derby, neither the race winner – Maximum Security (who was disqualified) nor the official winner, Country House, will race on Saturday. That means that for the first time in 3 years, the Triple Crown is not on the line for Saturday. That will significantly lower the “handle” or amount of wagers on this race. Beyond the disappointment of not having a potential Triple Crown winner, the field is not as deep with Kentucky Derby horses, in general. Still, there is a chance to win cash, and that is why we talk about the race.

Preakness details: 1 3/16 miles long or 9.5 Furlongs slightly shorter than the Kentucky Derby.

The Horses:

  1. War of Will (4-1) – The horse that was actually contacted during the Derby, and really showed something for not falling and clearing out the field. The Mark Casse trained horse still finished 7th at the Derby, and apparently always draws the rail in big races.
  2. Bourbon War (12-1) – Gotta love the America whisky inspired name. 2nd in Fountain of Youth and 4th in Florida Derby, so not sure he is up for the challenge. However, he is well liked by my experts.
  3. Warrior Charge (12-1) – Has won 2 races against inferior competition, so this is a step up in class for this horse.
  4. Improbable (5-2) – Improbable rolls into the Preakness from the Derby. A Baffert horse that finished 4th (with DQ), so the highest finish of the horses that raced makes him the favorite. Mike Smith, Jockey, will try to win this one for Baffert.
  5. Owendale (10-1) – Brad Cox is the trainer here, and winner of the Lexington Stakes ahead of Anothertwistafate, but ran 8th at Risen Star behind War of Will and Country House.
  6. Market King (30-1) – 3rd at Rebel Stakes and 10th at Blue Grass Stakes against Derby horses, so not looking like a winner here.
  7. Alwaysmining (8-1) – A very interesting story about trainer, Kelly Rubley, a former teacher, who could make history at the Preakness. https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/horse-racing/preakness/bs-sp-preakness-alwaysmining-kelly-rubley-0515-story.html
  8. Signalman (30-1) – 3rd at Blue Grass Stakes behind Vekoma (Derby Horse) and Win Win Win. 7th at Fountain of Youth against Bourbon War (2nd) and other Derby quality horses. Not sure I can trust this one, either.
  9. Bodexpress (20-1) – The late entrant into the Derby as the outside horse showed very well early in the race, but fell off down the stretch at 13th. I think based on the odds may be worth a shot to hit the Board, but no according to my experts.
  10. Everfast (50-1) – A Total long shot and late entrant here. Ran 9th at Florida Derby and 8th at Fountain of Youth with horses in this field. I don’t think this is a Country House situation.
  11. Laughing Fox (20-1) – Won Oaklawn Invitational Stakes and has lost to Improbable before at Arkansas Derby with a 4th place finish (Improbable was 2nd behind Omaha Beach).
  12. Anothertwistafate (6-1) – Has some buzz on this horse, but did not qualify for the Derby. Won the El Camino Real Derby and 2nd at the Lexington Stakes. Split opinions from my experts.
  13. Win Win Win (15-1) – Another Derby horse with a real shot here, although the 3rd best finisher of the 4 Derby horses in the field at 9th. Jockey, Julian Pimentel, will need a better race this time.

Predictions/Bets

The Expert Picks:

Jody Demling – https://www.sportsline.com/insiders/50839588/2019-preakness-stakes-betting-guru-gunning-for-10th-preakness-win-in-15-years/

Hammerin’ Hank Goldberg – https://www.sportsline.com/insiders/50849460/2019-preakness-stakes-horse-racing-legend-hank-goldberg-reveals-favorites-fades/

I would stick with the top 2 Derby horses here in Improbable (4) and War of Will (1). Then, for the 3rd horse, there seem to be a lot of options here – Bourbon War is a hot pick by both Demling and Goldberg. Alwaysmining (7), Win Win Win (13), and Owendale (5) are the 3 likely horses to hit the board besides.

I didn’t do very well at the Derby with the long shot coming in. I only got the Tacitus show bet cashing. So, this race I’m going to do a Tri Box with the 2 Derby horses – Improbable and War of Will plus I’m going to throw Bourbon War (2) in for a low stakes bet ($2) for $12. I’ll also put Improbable Across the Board for $5 ($15 bet). If you want to do a Key with the 1 and 4 with the other 3 horses mentioned (5,7,13), that would probably be a good bet. I won’t do all that given my budget.

In the end, the Run for the Black Eyed Susans will not be as exciting as some years. The Belmont Stakes should have a lot of the big boys back for a solid race.

Hopefully, the weather is supposed to be nice and not sloppy in Baltimore to give us a good race.

Wegs

About the author

I'm a 49 year old, twice divorced guy with a 20 year old. The blog has morphed a bit lately. Not just sports or dating, social commentary and now some stories from my past experience.