There are many methods to handicap horse races. After the Kentucky Derby results, there were many opinions and angles on how to handicap the Preakness Stakes. There are many information and betting guides that can help you identify a Preakness winner or narrow down the list of top contenders.
It takes a lot of research, intuition and time to handicap horses and race horses. A handicapper must be able to analyze past performance charts, horse stats, class ratings and speed figures, jockey stats, trainer stats and even post position. This is especially true for Derby horses who are participating in the Preakness after a short recovery period. You can look at race videos, track and surface footage, or search for horses who have had trouble with trips in recent races. It’s crucial to identify horses that could offer value next time out, or other horses in good form that could provide value wagering opportunities.
Horses and races should be supported based on their positive qualities and not on who is the best. You’ll be better equipped and more prepared to analyze races and use the training and betting tools. This includes the Preakness Stakes and all the Kentucky Derby and prep races leading up the Derby. You will be able to better understand the ‘how’ of a horse before a race and the less important where’ the horse finishes in recent races.
Bob Baffert, the trainer, has won the Preakness 7 times (D. Wayne Lucas), including 2015 with American Pharoah as well as 2018 with Justify. Both went on to win Triple Crowns.
In recent years, the Preakness was dominated by horses that set the pace or press/stalk it. However, these horses were often the best horses, like Justify and American Pharoah as well as California Chrome, Big Brown, Rachel Alexandra, and California Chrome. Exaggerator won the 2016 Preakness despite being a fast-paced horse. A 3-year-old can improve, as well as a fresher and more talented runner such the filly and 2020 Preakness winner Swiss Skydiver. She raced off the pace to reach the three-quarter mile marker and beat 2020 Kentucky Derby winner Authentic to win at 11/1 odds.
Preakness Odds
- Medina Spirit 7-4
- Concert Tour 2-1
- O Besos 7-1
- Midnight Bourbon 8-1
- Risk Taking 8-1
- Rombauer 9-1
- Tarantino 14-1
- Keepmeinmind 14-1
- Crowded Trade 16-1
- Get Her Number 20-1
- Unbridled Honor 20-1
- France Go de Ina 25-1
- Ram 25-1
Odds via Oddschecker
Top 2021 Preakness Stakes Bets
One shocking fact: Bernier is tossing Concert Tour. He is a top Vegas favorite. Concert Tour, owned and bred by Gary West, has won three times in his four career starts. This is his worst career performance. He finished third in the Arkansas Derby as an overwhelming 3-10 favorite.
Concert Tour is most efficient when he sets the pace. However, he won’t be able to lead Saturday’s race with Medina Spirit, his Derby-winning stablemate. Bernier said that Concert Tour is unlikely to be hustled out of the gate by Baffert’s other entrant, given the post draw. “Concert Tour exudes win-or-off-the-board vibes; for a small price, he’s a toss.”
Last Updated on November 18, 2021