Trainer Dale Romans is going to have two horses in the Preakness Stakes betting field. He will be sending Paddy O’Prado who finished third in the Kentucky Derby and newcomer First Dude. Both of those horses will be listed behind Super Saver in Preakness Stakes odds.
Preakness Stakes betting will give some respect to Paddy O’Prado since he looked good in the Derby. Trainer Dale Romans has never run a horse in the Preakness but on Saturday he will have two. Romans actually wanted to enter First Dude in the Derby but he couldn’t get the horse in the field because he didn’t have enough earnings. “I’d actually wanted to run First Dude in the Derby because he was doing so well after the Blue Grass, and I thought he could’ve been an impact player,” said Romans. “But obviously he couldn’t get in because of earnings. Maybe the extra time will help him. He sure worked good this morning.” First Dude, breezed five furlongs at Churchill in his final work in 1:00.60 with Ramon Dominguez in the irons.
Paddy O’Prado came out of the Kentucky Derby in good shape so Romans is going to enter him in the Preakness. He “came out of the race in such good shape, we can’t find a reason not to go to the Preakness,” said Romans. “I know it’s back quick, but the horse is telling us he’s ready to go again.” Paddy O’Prado is a speed horse and the shorter distance at Pimlico could make him a factor on Saturday in Preakness Stakes betting. The horse had a chance to win the Blue Grass but got into a speed duel with Odysseus. He put that horse away but the duel cost him and he tired in the stretch and was beaten by Stately Victor. The concern for Paddy O’Prado is that the Blue Grass and the Kentucky Derby may have taken a lot out of the horse. Despite what Romans said, this horse may not have enough left to win the Preakness.
First Dude could be the interesting horse in Preakness Stakes odds. He is not going to get a lot of respect but he could be coming into this race in better shape than his stablemate. First Dude is owned by Donald R. Dizney and he was named in honor of Sarah Palin’s husband, Todd.