When: Saturday, May 17th 2014 at 6:20pm ET
Where: Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland
Watch: Live on NBC

After a dominant performance at the Kentucky Derby, California Chrome will look to move closer to the Triple Crown. The last time a horse won the Triple Crown was back in 1970 (Nijinsky) and while I don’t want to jinx anything, California Chrome could change that.

2014 Preakness Stakes Post Positions

Odds @ Bovada Sportsbook

• PP #1: Dynamic Impact 14/1 – Trainer: Mark Casse – Jockey: Miguel Mena

• PP #2: General A Rod 17/1 – Trainer: Mike Maker – Jockey: Javier Castellano

• PP #3: California Chrome 5/8 – Trainer: Art Sherman – Jockey: Victor Espinoza

• PP #4: Ring Weekend 22/1 – Trainer: Graham Motion – Jockey: Alan Garcia

• PP #5: Bayern 11/1 – Trainer: Bob Baffert – Jockey: Rosie Napravnik

• PP #6: Ria Antonia 22/1 – Trainer: Tom Amoss – Jockey: Calvin Borel

• PP #7: Kid Cruz 14/1 – Trainer: Linda Rice – Jockey: Julian Pimentel

• PP #8: Social Inclusion 6/1 – Trainer: Manny Azpurua – Jockey: Luis Contreras

• PP #9: Pablo Del Monte 22/1 – Trainer: Wesley Ward – Jockey: Jeffrey Sanchez

• PP #10: Ride On Curlin 13/1 – Trainer: William Gowan – Jockey: Joel Rosario

The odds-on favorite will only have to beat nine other horses in the Preakness Stakes on Saturday and he has drawn PP #3, which is basically perfect. The early speed in the race is on the outside, which will allow Espinoza to settle in behind the lead pack if needed.

California Chrome, Ride On Curlin and General A Rod are the only three colts that raced in the Kentucky Derby. Here’s an interesting tidbit – this will be the first time in the 100+ year history of the race that a female jockey and horse compete in the same race.

Should I Bet on California Chrome to Win the Preakness Stakes

This colt had the perfect trip at the Derby and after drawing PP #3 it’s shaping up that way again. The pace in the Derby wasn’t too fast and it’s expected that the pace will be quicker this weekend, but California Chrome made the Derby look effortless.

He stalked the leaders perfectly and pulled away down the stretch while looking strong the entire race. The only potential concern is if California Chrome falls behind the early pace in the race and is unable to make up the distance on the 9.5-furlong dirt track.

California Chrome is easily the most talented horse in the race and it would take a bad trip for this colt to lose the race. The field was stronger in the Derby as well plus there was much more congestion early in the race, but CC was able to overcome those obstacles.

2014 Preakness Stakes Top Contenders

• Social Inclusion: I’m not too sure what people see in this colt? He only has three career races. He won his maiden and an allowance race earlier this year before finishing 3rd in the Gr. 1 Wood Memorial Stakes. I think stamina will be an issue.

• Bayern: Here is another colt that has only raced in 2014 (4X). He won his maiden and an allowance race. He then finished in 3rd place in the Gr. 1 Arkansas Derby and 2nd place in the Gr. 3 Derby Trial Stakes. Distance will prove to be a problem.

• Ride On Curlin: I expect a much better trip from this colt compared to the Derby. Borel needs to jump out of the gates in this race before moving to the rail. Curlin can handle the distance in the race and I expect this colt to place in the top 3.

• Dynamic Impact: He has posted a Beyer rating of 102, which is the third best in the field. He won the Gr. 3 Illinois Derby and if he’s like his sire he could be dangerous in this race. Still untested, but I think will surprise on Saturday.

• General A Rod: Followed up a 3rd place finish in the Gr. 1 Florida Derby with an 11th place finish in the Kentucky Derby. I think distance is a problem for this colt. He’ll receive a lot of attention this week, but I’m passing on this colt.

2014 Preakness Stakes Predictions

Bet on the Preakness Stakes at the Bovada Sportsbook and earn a free $250.

• 1st Place – California Chrome

• 2nd Place – Ride on Curlin

• 3rd Place – Dynamic Impact

I’ll be going with a boxed trifecta that includes the colts above. I can’t see California Chrome losing although for the sake of a better payout I wouldn’t mind him finishing in 2nd or 3rd place with Dynamic Impact pulling off a surprise win on Saturday.

With a few days still before the race you should continue paying close attention to late withdrawals. Hopefully all ten horses will be able to race, as the field is already on the small scale. I’m also betting on California Chrome to win the Triple Crown at 2/1 odds.

If he wins the Preakness he’ll likely be the odds-on favorite to win the Belmont Stakes. I think the best bet is to take him to win the Triple Crown at 2/1 odds rather than bet on him to win both races at shorter odds. Good luck this weekend.

Related Posts

• 2018 Preakness Stakes Odds: Justify vs The Field At PimlicoThere are many differences between the first 2 legs of the Triple Crown. The Kentucky Derby is an annual celebration of horse betting (and booze) that draws casual fans and... more
• 2018 Kentucky Derby: Current Odds and Long-Shot PicksThe movement of the betting odds for the 2018 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs has been something like a dramatic horse race in itself. Bolt d’Oro is the early front-runner.... more
• Kentucky Derby – Updated Betting Odds and Wet Track TrifectaYou don’t think meteorologists would be part of an old-fashioned, 1920’s-style swindle do you? Just think of it. With days to go in betting action on the Kentucky Derby, the... more

More Free Betting Picks