One of the contenders in Preakness Stakes odds is Rule, the Todd Pletcher trained horse who did not race in the Kentucky Derby. The horse is owned by WinStar Farm and may have been a contender in the Derby and now could be a factor in Preakness Stakes betting.
Preakness Stakes odds do not favor Rule but the horse would be interesting if he goes in the race. The horse won the 750,000 Boyd Gaming’s Delta Jackpot Stakes last December and he was third in the Florida Derby. Rule didn’t really take to the track at Churchill Downs so he was not entered in the Derby. Rule is the son of Roman Ruler. On the female side he is from Rockcide who is a half-sister to Funny Cide who won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 2003.
Rule has been among the top three in all seven of his starts. He had won four in a row, including three stakes, all on the lead. That is a good way to win the Preakness. He has proven he can handle the dirt as he won a maiden race at Belmont Park and two stakes at Delta Downs.
The concern for taking Rule in Preakness Stakes odds will be his class. He really got his record by running at places like Delta Downs and Tampa Bay. He finished third in the Florida Derby to Ice Box and Pleasant Prince. The positive is that the shorter distance of the Preakness should suit Rule more than the Derby distance.
One of the reasons that Rule was not entered in the Derby, even though his trainer Todd Pletcher will not say as much, is his style of running. To win the Derby a horse almost always has to follow and not set the pace. Winning the Preakness can be done by going wire to wire.
Rule is not going to be heavily bet in Preakness Stakes betting which will give him some value if he makes the field. He is trained by Pletcher and that makes him a threat. The problem could be the layoff as he didn’t run in the Derby. Normally horses don’t win the Preakness without having at least started in the Derby. History is always changing though as last year it was Rachel Alexandra winning the Preakness even though she did not run in the Kentucky Derby.