Preakness Stakes Morning Line and Post Positions Revealed
- By A.J. Ryder on May 19, 2011 03:20 GMT
The 2011 Preaknes Stakes is the second jewel of the American Triple Crown and it is set to unfold this Saturday at Pimlico Racecourse in Maryland. The starting posts and official morning line were revealed today and this prompted a slight reshuffling of the odds by several European-based bookmakers currently offering ante post on the Preakness Stakes.
2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimeaux) is listed as a slim favourite for this one with a 2/1 outright price to continue his winning ways and set up a dramatic fixture at Belmont in June should he hit the line first. It will only be his second career dirt start but the Team Valor-owned colt should relish the slight drop back in distance for this one.
Animal Kingdom drew the #11 stall and will retain jockey John Velasquez.
The second favourite will be just to his left as 9/2 Dialed In (Mineshaft), who runs for a massive $6,100,000 bonus should he win this contest after being the only qualifier for the Preakness 5.5, will be likely taking a considerable amount of wagering from the betting public as they assume the extra payout might motivate something extra special from the Florda-campaigned late-closer. The shorter distance and lessons learned from the Kentucky Derby will likely result in him not being dropped so far back during the race and his 10 second flat final furlong stands as a stark warning of what he can do if he's in the mix and gets the right trip.
Many observers expect Dialed In to take a considerable amount of money on the day.
Derby runner-up Mucho Macho Man (Macho Uno) will be lining up at a 6/1 as he enters out of the #9 stall next to Dialed In. He will be looking for a stronger performance as well but some observers have wondered whether his campaign might be catching up with him as his season goes on.
These are the only contender priced within single digits.
The 2011 Preakness is the marquee event at Pimlico and a full undercard will be unfolding on the day. The Black Eyed Susan Stakes will be running on the Friday prior and works similarly to the Kentucky Oaks with numerous contests for female entrants and a themed Breast Cancer fundraiser.
