Win, Place & Present Picks

Mage, with Javier Castellano up, 8, crosses the end line to win the 147th operating of The Kentucky Derby, Saturday, Could 6, 2023 in Louisville, Ky.

• Saturday’s Preakness Stakes is the second jewel of the Triple Crown
• Choosing the winner is the main target for a lot of, however pondering who will end behind the champ will be worthwhile
• The place is there betting worth within the win, place, and present swimming pools for our 2023 Preakness Stakes finest bets?

This yr’s Preakness Stakes has solely a subject of seven. Many of the consideration can be on Kentucky Derby winner Mage and the truth that none of his rivals from two weeks in the past in Louisville are difficult him once more. Mage has a great likelihood to win, however the payouts gained’t be notably thrilling if he triumphs. The current previous says that it is best to take into account some longer-priced choices, and never simply within the win column.

Twelve months in the past Early Voting gained the Preakness. Because the third selection, he paid $13.40 to win on a two-dollar wager. Three years in the past Jesus’ Crew paid $12.20 to point out. In 2019 Everfast rewarded bettors with $32 to position. This yr’s Preakness Stakes odds modified significantly on Friday morning when second selection First Mission scratched.

Hearth up certainly one of your favourite horse racing betting apps, remind your self how pari-mutuel betting in horse racing works, and let’s dive into the chances, not simply to win, however to complete second and third on this yr’s Run for the Black-Eyed Susans.

Preakness Finest Bets for 2023

Mage is the prohibitive Preakness Stakes favourite for a win wager, with Bob Baffert’s Nationwide Treasure the clear second selection. Keep in mind, you’ll be able to wager to position and present too. The costs are shorter, but when your selection finishes first or second you money a spot wager, and first, second, or third scores you a present victory.

For what it’s price, in 149 runnings of the Preakness Stakes, 36 Derby winners have added Preakness glory to their resume, whereas 26 of those that took the roses completed second in Baltimore.

Finest Win Wager

Whereas you can also make arguments for 5 of the seven horses within the subject, Mage’s resume towers over this group. Certain, he ran simply two weeks in the past. Sure, the tempo could also be slower than in Louisville. Are these two components ok causes to look elsewhere within the win pool?

The Kentucky Derby is taken into account one of the best subject of three-year-olds of the yr. As much as 20 horses can run, and apart from horses who’re injured, normally one of the best of one of the best compete. Mage beat that group, and solely two horses had been near him. These two, plus all of the others who signed up for the Derby, will not be collaborating within the Preakness.

The 2 weeks relaxation argument is a legitimate one, everybody else within the subject is extra well-rested. The tempo state of affairs won’t be such an issue. Mage was forwardly positioned in his first two races and bought out poorly in his third. If the tempo is sluggish, there’s no cause he can’t be close to the entrance.

Mage’s opponents might run their finest profession race on Saturday. They’ll want it to beat him until he regresses considerably.

Finest Place Wager

The logical reply to the most probably horse to complete second is Nationwide Treasure. Baffert has gained the Preakness seven occasions, and Nationwide Treasure very simply might be the pacesetter, and probably even lose on the lead. Whereas every of his 5 races have been quick, he has solely a single win. Nationwide Treasure’s two races this yr aren’t any higher than what he produced as a two-year-old, and whereas including blinkers is an efficient signal that he’s going to race up entrance early, Baffert’s ROI when placing blinks on suggests extra desperation than savvy transfer. Baffert’s beforehand unbeaten filly Faiza didn’t run properly in Friday’s Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico, and it’s doable that this yr’s California crop, the place Nationwide Treasure has been operating, simply isn’t nice.

Coach Chad Brown gained final yr’s Preakness with Early Voting, who skipped the Derby and was contemporary in Baltimore. Brown sends out Blazing Sevens, who has confronted prime competitors persistently however hasn’t been near profitable in two tries this yr. He has excuses, getting bumped at the beginning of two of his final three races, and perhaps flying late. Like Nationwide Treasure, he’s viable, however the value shouldn’t be all that attractive.

Crimson Route One has additionally been going through powerful foes, and he too can be rolling down the stretch. He made up 18 lengths however was nonetheless one shy of profitable February’s Insurgent Stakes towards a number of Derby runners. Dropping down in competitors, he made up quite a lot of floor and gained final month’s Bathtub Home Row Stakes.

Crimson Route One’s coach, Steve Asmussen, has gained extra races than any U.S.-based conditioner in historical past. He has gained the Preakness twice, plus the worth is true.

Finest Preakness Stakes Present Wager

If we’re not going to play Nationwide Treasure or Blazing Sevens, partly due to their value, to position, let’s fade them to point out too.

Corridor of Fame coach Shug McGaughey has gained the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and 9 Breeders Cup races. The 72-year-old has by no means captured the Preakness however has solely tried thrice. He sends out Carry out, who wasn’t superb in his first 4 begins, however has improved since. Going seven furlongs on January 28, he completed fourth. That was the race Mage debuted in, and gained. Carry out broke his maiden in March, after which gained a stakes race at Laurel Park final month. He appears to love longer distances and is clearly enhancing.

Preakness Stakes Finest Bets for 2023

Mage goes to be powerful to beat towards what shouldn’t be a nasty subject however actually isn’t a distinguished group at this level. Something near his race from two weeks in the past ought to get the job accomplished, until another person dramatically improves.

Crimson Route One and Carry out merely present extra betting worth than Nationwide Treasure and Blazing Sevens. All 4 are clearly affordable, however there are sufficient causes to query the 2 lower-priced horses, and due to this fact taking a shot at larger numbers looks like the suitable technique

Listed here are our prime win, place, and present Preakness Stakes handicapper picks.

• Win: Mage (-130)
• Place: Crimson Route One (+300)
• Present: Carry out (+165)

Get extra Preakness Stakes predictions from SBD right here!

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