Opening Preakness Stakes Odds Favor Mage, Forte & First Mission

Mage, with Javier Castellano up, 8, crosses the end line to win the Kentucky Derby.

• In much less that two weeks, Pimlico Race Course will host the The Second Jewel of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes
• The highest ending horses within the Kentucky Derby are the early favorites
• See the opening Preakness Stakes 2023 odds plus early worth picks

Was the most important story surrounding the Kentucky Derby the upset win by Mage, or the variety of horses who scratched previous to put up time?

Whereas house owners and trainers are deliberating about whether or not to ship their horses to Baltimore for the Preakness Stakes on Could 20, you higher consider Run for the Roses champ Mage will probably be current, and this 12 months greater than any in current reminiscence there may be potential for a strong group of challengers.

As we rely right down to the run for Black-Eyed Susans, let’s look rigorously and consider the opening Preakness Stakes odds.

2023 Preakness Stakes Odds

Odds as of Could 7.

Every of the final three years the Preakness Stakes winner didn’t compete within the Kentucky Derby. That is primarily as a result of in trendy horse racing trainers prefer to adequently relaxation and rehabilitate their investements after the most important and longest race of their life. With a really fast turnaround between the Run for the Roses and the Preakness, other than the Derby winner, a few horses that carried out effectively, and a one or two that felt that they didn’t get an awesome journey in Louisville, most go for the Belmont Stakes are one thing in June or July.

With this 12 months’s Kentucky Derby favourite Forte scratched on the day of the race, he turns into a really intriguing choice in Baltimore. Nevertheless, coach Todd Pletcher has usually been reluctant to ship horses to the Preakness. The opposite horses who scratched out of the Derby, Continuar, Lord Miles, Sensible Transfer, and Skinner, may additionally give it a go.

Along with the horses who deliberate on operating within the Derby, and now might give the Preakness a shot, coach Bob Baffert might be an element. He’s banned from Churchill Downs after Medina Spirit was disqualified from the 2021 Kentucky Derby after testing postive for a banned substance. Nevertheless, he’s welcome in Baltimore, and has hinted he may ship Nationwide Treasure or one other contender.

Lastly, the calmly raced however very spectacular First Mission would get severe play if he’s within the Preakness. Like Mage, First Mission didn’t run as a two 12 months outdated. Nevertheless, his final two races are terrific, and within the Preakness Futures Pool that closed proper earlier than the Kentucky Derby started, he was the second selection.

Let’s break down the Derby with a watch in the direction of leg two.

The Run for the Roses

After the 2022 Kentucky Derby had the quickest opening quarter mile in race historical past, most specialists predicted 2023 would see the reverse. Incorrect. Once more they ran very quick early, and that arrange the closers to race for glory down the stretch.

Working in solely his fourth race, Mage not solely received, however should still have upside. That mentioned, he bought an awesome journey and took benefit of the early tempo.

Two Phil’s took the shortest route across the observe, close to the rail, however by some means was each near the new tempo and survived to steer with 1 / 4 mile to go, and maintain on for second. The shorter Preakness, with fewer horses and sure a slower tempo, might be good for him.

Angel of Empire goes to get a variety of love for his sturdy end in Louisville, and deservedly so. Nevertheless, he was the most important beneficiary of the tempo. To his credit score, the favourite ran on sturdy, however does he profile extra as a Belmont horse, operating a-mile-and-a-quarter than a Preakness runner, with the tight turns at Pimlico?

Preakness Tempo State of affairs

It is extremely typical that the Kentucky Derby, with 20 horses, has not less than a pair which are overager and that units up a quick tempo that advantages closers. The Preakness is commonly simply the alternative, fewer horses, and velocity can maintain. Final 12 months Early Voting was second early, handed within the stretch and received simply.

Baffert has received the Preakness seven instances. Relying upon the competitors, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Nationwide Treasure forwardly positioned. Although he has only one win in 5 tries, he’s by no means been worse than fourth and has completed within the cash on 4 occassions.

First Mission likes to be close to the entrance, and if his subsequent race appears something like his newest run, he will probably be harmful.

First Mission’s dad, Avenue Sense, received the Kentucky Derby. His coach Brad Cox is among the many finest within the enterprise. His house owners Godolphin, are maybe one of the best on the planet.

Down the Stretch They Come

If Forte runs, he’s a deep nearer. That mentioned, he had the tougher journey within the Florida Derby, and nonetheless beat Mage.

Skinner on paper is a quickly bettering horse, however he too likes to return from the rear, and wasn’t precisely flattered by Mandarin Hero’s effort within the Kentucky Derby.

Because it pertains to betting on Preakness futures, take into account tempo and high quality, but additionally who’s prone to run. The Kentucky Derby often has a full subject and everybody desires to get in. House owners are extra reluctant about Pimlico. Locking in worth is clearly about selecting a gifted quick horse, and you will get worth, as a result of a variety of the contenders will cross on the occasion. When you’ve got a reasonably good concept that considered one of your high decisions will probably be within the subject, fireplace away, you’re forward of the sport.

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