D. Wayne Lukas is set to send two horses in Preakness Stakes odds. In addition to Dublin who was seventh in the Kentucky Derby, Lukas will also be sending Northern Giant. The horse is likely to be a big longshot in a full Preakness Stakes betting field.
Preakness Stakes odds list a lot of longshots behind the favored Super Saver including Northern Giant. Northern Giant is the son of Giant’s Causeway. He was second in the Grade 2 Lane’s End and third in the Grade 3 Risen Star earlier this year. Northern Giant has had a lot of different jockeys in his nine-race career. Eight different jockeys have been aboard this horse. Victor Espinoza had the mount last time out as the horse was ninth in the Arkansas Derby.
Northern Giant didn’t break his maiden until February of this year. It took him six tries before he finally won. He was 3rd in the Risen Star at the Fair Grounds and 2nd in the Lane’s End at Turfway. The horse did not have enough graded earnings to make it into the Kentucky Derby field so he was pointed to the Preakness. His best Beyer Speed figure is 92.
The last time out Northern Giant was not a factor at all in the Arkansas Derby. He was never in the race and finished last. His previous start in the Lane’s End Stakes was much better. He was second to Dean’s Kitten. The problem for Northern Giant is that he wasn’t going to beat Dean’s Kitten and that horse was no factor in the Kentucky Derby. In the Arkansas Derby, Northern Giant was ridden by Calvin Borel who will be aboard the favored Super Saver in Preakness Stakes betting. Borel said that Northern Giant ran a good race in the Arkansas Derby but just wasn’t ready to win yet. “He ran a beautiful race. He’s just a little green, and it showed. I wouldn’t go by the winner. But, it was a good effort and I think the owners will be happy with that.” In the Risen Star Stakes, Northern Giant finished third in a race that was won by Discreetly Mine. Northern Giant was three wide on both turns in that race and did well to finish third.
Northern Giant will get a glance from bettors in Preakness Stakes odds simply because Lukas is the trainer but if he wins the race it would be a major surprise.