Preakness Stakes wagering and handicapping is definitely different than Kentucky Derby and Belmont wagering. The Preakness is the shortest of the three Triple Crown races and that means for some different Preakness Stakes odds. Let’s look at a few things to keep in mind when betting the Preakness.
Preakness wagering will always be different than Derby or Belmont wagering because the race at Pimlico is shorter. The shorter distance means that your Preakness Stakes wagering and handicapping must be different. Since Pimlico is a different track it means that speed holds a lot better than at Churchill or at Belmont. Speed horses almost never win the Derby or the Belmont but they have a chance in Preakness Stakes wagering. That is the first thing to keep in mind with your handicapping. In fact, one out of five Preakness Stakes wagering winners has gone wire to wire to win the race.
Preakness wagering and handicapping does have similar factors to consider like the jockey and trainer but they are not of critical importance. It is nice if you have a jockey that has won at Pimlico in the past and if the trainer has had success in Preakness Stakes wagering, but it is not a necessity.
With Preakness Stakes wagering you have a unique dynamic in that the race follows just two short weeks after the Derby. The winner in Preakness wagering will usually be a horse that was in the Derby. It might not be the Derby winner, but it almost always is a horse that was in the Derby field. This should narrow your Preakness wagering contenders down to a manageable few. The favorite in Preakness Stakes odds is usually going to be the Kentucky Derby winner but there are exceptions to that rule. In 2005 the favorite in Preakness Stakes odds was Afleet Alex while the Derby winner Giacomo was the fourth choice at 6-1. In 2009 it is almost a certainty that Mine That Bird will not be the favorite in Preakness wagering since he won the Derby at odds of 50-1.
As you look at Preakness wagering and handicapping keep in mind that speed is important and having a horse that can bounce back quickly to run again is critical since the Preakness is just two weeks after the Derby. Enjoy the second race in the Triple Crown as you bet Preakness odds this year.
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