At the beginning of the week, Medina Spirit catapulted to the top of the 2021 Preakness Stakes Odds. There is nothing unusual about that. Almost always, the Kentucky Derby winner enters the Preakness as chalk. Of great concern to Derby winners is the traditional hybrid Preakness field. Baffert-trained Concert Tour will enter Saturday’s Preakness. However, Mandaloun, Hot Rod Charlie, and Essential Quality are out. Each Year the Preakness Stakes features good horses that skipped the Derby. That is again the case for 2021. Down the board are unfamiliar horses that could surprise.
2021 Preakness Stakes
| Date and Time: | Saturday, May 15, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland |
| TV Coverage: | NBC |
2021 Preakness Stakes Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Medina Spirit | 7/2 |
| Concert Tour | 9/1 |
| Midnight Bourbon | 15/1 |
| Crowded Trade | 16/1 |
| Ram | 18/1 |
| Unbridled Honor | 18/1 |
| France Go De Ina | 20/1 |
| Rombauer | 20/1 |
| Get Her Number | 25/1 |
2021 Preakness Stakes SBG Odds Overview
Naturally, Medina Spirit and Concert Tour lead the online wagering activity. Casual gamblers that only pay attention to the three Triple Crown races are most familiar with them. Both horses have the most impressive resumes. So too does Midnight Bourbon have name recognition with the gambling community? But gamblers still believe they have what it takes to rebound with a potential Preakness Win.
Bob Baffert’s Medina Spirit Tests Positive for Drug Post-Derby
Following his Kentucky Derby win, Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone. Such a test result can potentially lead to disqualification. Now, the integrity of the Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown is in turmoil. From a competitive standpoint, how can the May 1 Run for the Roses be undone? It can’t. And from a legal perspective, it could be a costly and divisive issue too.
Medina Spirit’s Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has long had a cloud over him with such issues. To illuminate, Baffert was under intense scrutiny and criticism in 2018. That year he led Justify to Triple Crown glory but was accused of utilizing illegal drugs in doing so. Baffert angrily denied the most recent charges against him and adamantly denied giving Medina Spirit betamethasone. In fact, Baffert says the issue is an injustice and that he will aggressively fight all charges.
Previously, Baffert has beaten all performance-enhancing drug charges against him. Much of the buzz was created on social media. Baffert was labeled a cheater, only to prevail in the end. For example, Justify was ruled to have tested positive after a tainted test result. Also, there was a case of assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes touching a pain relief patch before working with other horses that tested positive. Again, Baffert was cleared.
Still, many fans and gamblers are screaming, “NO SALE!” These individuals that Baffert always has a trick up his sleeve to escape responsibility. Meanwhile, Baffert backers and fans retort with yells of “WITCH HUNT!”
2021 Preakness Stakes SBG Odds Free Picks
Correspondingly the field can still change later this week for the 2021 Preakness Stakes Odds. Check Back here at SBG for further updates and odds. Concert Tour is a potential hidden gem. Handicappers should not forget his phenomenal record heading into this race. Concert Tour has everything it takes to win the Preakness Stakes and at a better price. Including the trainer. Certainly, more interesting developments are coming this week!