The 2011 Preakness Stakes is just one day away and barring the end of the world on May 21, it should be a fantastic race. The experts are mixed in their picks and predictions which gives the better some interesting choices to make. Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom is a 2/1 favorite but much of that is based on uninformed public betting on name recognition alone. T
he best handicapper looks at all factors, including the pedigree, race history, and how the horse looks in workouts leading up to post time.
Jack Jones of Bet Firms likes Shackleford to win with Mucho Macho Man to place and Midnight Interlude to Show. He had Animal Kingdom coming in fourth. Jones feels like a front-running horse like Shackleford benefits from the shorter 1 3/16 mile course at Pimlico.
2011 Preakness Stakes Predictions & Picks to Win
Win: Shackleford (+800) – This horse has not been getting the respect it deserves, and I am going to continue buying into this overachiever Saturday. Shackleford was the front-runner at the Kentucky Derby and led from the gate deep into the stretch before giving away. He finished in fourth place, beaten by 3 ½ lengths by Animal Kingdom.
The Baltimore Sun has a full range of picks and predictions from their expert, Liam Durbin. He thinks the faster pace in the Preakness will help the Derby winner track down the field even faster. Of the non-Derby horses, Astrology is Durbin's underdog.
Preakness picks: Baltimore Sun predictions for 13 races at Preakness 2011 - baltimoresun.com
What to Bet: I will play Animal Kingdom to win. I will box Animal Kingdom, Mucho Macho Man and Dialed In for my exacta. For my trifecta box, I will throw in Astrology.
Expert horse handicapper Arthur Bodley of 1800-Sports.com has Mucho Macho Man as his winner with
Preakness Picks - 2011 Preakness Stakes Picks
"Mucho Macho Man was one of my early Triple Crown favorites for months. He performed well at the Derby with his natural stride. He is nearing the age to step up and put on the Grade 1 performance he is capable of. Posting +550 odds at SBG Global, Mucho Macho Man remains my Preakness pick."
Here's an updated look at the odds for the 2011 Preakness as of Friday:
1 Astrology 15/1
2 Norman Asbjornson 30/1
3 King Congie 20/1
4 Flashpoint 20/1
5 Shackleford 12/1
6 Sway Away 15/1
7 Midnight Interlude 15/1
8 Dance City 12/1
9 Mucho Macho Man 6/1
10 Dialed In 9/2
11 Animal Kingdom 2/1
12 Isn't He Perfect 30/1
13 Concealed Identity 30/1
14 Mr. Commons 20/1
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 19: Exercise rider Dana Barnes takes Preakness entrant Midnight Interlude over the track at Pimlico Race Course on May 19, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The 136th running of the Preakness Stakes will be run on Saturday. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The 2011 Preakness Stakes gets underway on May 21 at Pimlico racetrack. Stay with our 2011 Preakness Stakes StoryStream for odds, contender profiles, post positions and more. To look back at the Derby, check out our 2011 Kentucky Derby StoryStream. Also, our horse racing blog And Down The Stretch They Come has two must-read resources for Derby and Preakness fans: A Beginner's Guide To Following Horse Racing and a glossary of horse racing terms.