The Preakness Stakes is the second leg of the highly-coveted Triple Crown Series, which is composed of the most significant three American thoroughbred horse racing events. The event was traditionally held every third Saturday of May, two weeks after the Run for the Roses.
Also known as The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans, the Preakness Stakes features 14 three-year-old thoroughbreds running on the dirt surface of Pimlico Racecourse, Baltimore, Maryland. With a few days left before The Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown, let us walk you through the top contender, betting guide, and much more about the race.
The Basics of Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes was first held 149 years ago on May 27, 1873. It is run over a distance of 1 and 3/16 miles. The purse money of the horseracing event is US$1.5 million, making it one of the most anticipated sports events in the United States. Secretariat holds the fastest racing record in the Preakness Stakes and the other two races in the Triple Crown Series. He finished the race at Pimlico in under two minutes, with an official time record of 1:53.
The Contenders
While the race date is fast approaching, there’s still no definite list of contenders in the Preakness Stakes. But, spectators of the race are eyeing some thoroughbreds to compete in the Run for the Black-Eyes Susans. To give you an idea of who will likely run in the Pimlico Racecourse and who to back on Preakness horse betting, check out our list below.
1. Mage
With his recent win in the Kentucky Derby last May 6 at Churchill Downs, his supporters are looking forward to seeing him in the Preakness Stakes this May 20. The team behind Mage’s recent success claims that the champion plans to run in the Triple Crown’s second leg. They are just observing if the horse is conditioned and willing to complete the second time this month and will confirm once they are sure about Mage’s readiness.
2. Forte
Forte is the early favourite in the Kentucky Derby, but the three-year-old thoroughbred was scratched hours before the actual race. He was placed on the mandatory 14-day veterinary list, and his team was yet to announce the horse’s status in the upcoming Preakness Stakes.
Last Monday, May 8, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission vaguely announced that Forte may not compete in the Preakness Stakes. Still, Todd Pletcher, his trainer, looks forward to hearing positive confirmation about Forte’s participation in the second leg of the Triple Crown Series.
3. Arabian Lion
Trained by Bob Baffert, Arabian Lion is one of the three-year-old colts expected to compete in the 2023 Preakness Stakes. The chestnut colt placed second at Keeneland in the 2023 Lexington last April 15, 2023. He also placed fourth in the 2023 Rober B. Lewis at Santa Anita last February 4, 2023.
4. Blazing Sevens
Blazing Seven was among the four horses scratched in the Kentucky Derby dues to health concerns. However, the dark bay colt is expected to come back stronger in the Preakness Stakes. Last April 8, 2023, Blazing Sevens placed second in the $1 million Toyota Blue Grass Stakes.
5. Chase the Chaos
Bred in Pennsylvania, Chase the Chaos is expected to participate in the Preakness Stakes after placing first in the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields and seventh in the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita Park. He is considered a long shot in the upcoming race, but his trainer, Ed Moger Jr., doesn’t mind his initial standing in the race and confirms the thoroughbred’s presence in Pimlico this May 20, 2023.
Betting Guide
The Triple Crown experience wouldn’t be complete without betting on the races. The Preakness Stakes has betting windows at the Pimlico for those who want to bet and watch the race on May 20. You can also bet online with many betting sites available in your area. To know more about your betting options, here are the types of bets you can enjoy in the upcoming race.
-
Win
This type of bet would require bettors to pick one horse to win the Preakness Stakes. If the prediction comes out right, the bettor wins the prize money.
-
Place
With place bets, bettors must pick a horse to place first or second in the Preakness Stakes. The bet is won only if the horse comes in the first two places in the final order of finish.
-
Show
The bettor must pick a horse to place first, second, or third in the Preakness Stakes. This type of regular bet is easier to win than the first two bets on our list. However, the payout would be lesser than the other bets.
-
Exacta
Exacta would require bettors to pick two horses to place first and second in the Preakness Stakes in exact order.
-
Trifecta
In a trifecta, bettors must pick three thoroughbreds to place first, second, and third in the Preakness Stakes, in exact order.
-
Superfecta
Superfecta works the same as exacta and trifecta, only that bettors must pick four horses to place first, second, third, and fourth in the Preakness Stakes. Positions in the race’s final order of finish must be in exact order.
Conclusion
Few days left before the Preakness Stakes, spectators are now busy checking out which horses will prevail in the second leg of the Triple Crown Series. While there are early favourites to win the race, horseracing can be the most unpredictable sports event. So, other than looking at the prospective thoroughbreds to run in the race, other factors like jockeys, experience on the type of track, and weather conditions, among many others, should be considered.
