Preakness Odds 2016: Picks and Predictions Based on Recent Betting Lines

After a dominant performance in the Kentucky Derby, Nyquist enters the Preakness Stakes as a substantial favorite to take the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown.

While a small handful of Derby contenders will return in an attempt to knock Nyquist from his perch, much of the field is likely to be made up of newcomers looking to prevent a second consecutive run at the Triple Crown after American Pharoah pulled off the feat last year.

Here is a rundown of the odds for horses currently expected to run at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, and predictions for how the Run for the Black-Eyed Susans will play out.

Horse	Odds
Nyquist	5-7
Exaggerator	9-2
Stradivari	12-1
Gun Runner	14-1
Creator	16-1
Collected	25-1
Cherry Wine	25-1
Uncle Lino	33-1
Fellowship	33-1
Awesome Speed	33-1
Lani	33-1
Laoban	40-1

Win: Nyquist

Nyquist was essentially a wire-to-wire winner in the Kentucky Derby as he went straight to the front and stayed there for the duration of the race, and that strategy figures to work well at Pimlico.

The Preakness is a slightly shorter race at 9.5 furlongs, which will give the rest of the field even less time to close the gap. Exaggerator may have had a chance to run down Nyquist in the Derby if the race was a bit longer, but he won't have that luxury Saturday.

Nyquist's Kentucky Derby performance made it clear that he can handle the Preakness and everything that comes along with it, and his preparation has reinforced that notion.

Barbara Livingston of Daily Racing Form remarked at how strong Nyquist has looked during the days leading up to the race:

Trainer Doug O'Neill agreed and is happy with his horse's demeanor prior to the second jewel of the Triple Crown, according to Jonathan Lintner of the Courier-Journal:

"

He's just settled in here, looks great, good energy. He's just a total pro. He's got a lot of energy, and you see it in the afternoon when he competes. But he conserves his energy so well in the paddock and around the barn area here. He sleeps a lot in the stall and just has got the perfect combination for a top racehorse.

"

Every indication is that Nyquist is easily the best horse in the field, so it is extremely difficult to envision him losing if he runs his best race or anything close to it.

A slip-up or poor trip from jockey Mario Gutierrez could open the door for an upset, but that seems like a long shot considering how well everything went for Nyquist in the Derby.

The undefeated colt enters the Preakness 8-0, and there is nothing to suggest that his record won't be unblemished when the Run for the Black-Eyed Susans concludes.

Place: Stradivari

There is perhaps no bigger unknown in the Preakness than Stradivari, and that may make him the biggest threat to upend Nyquist.

The Todd Pletcher-trained colt has just three races under his belt and has never competed in a stakes race. He has won each of his past two outings in convincing fashion, however, which adds some intrigue to the Preakness.

While he has yet to face a horse the quality of Nyquist, Stradivari has displayed an extra gear that could allow him to push the unblemished Kentucky Derby winner to the limit.

According to David Grening of Daily Racing Form (via ESPN.com), O'Neill suggested that Stradivari may have the best chance at spoiling the Triple Crown party: 

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He's obviously very scary with those connections and the way he won at Keeneland last time. He strikes a lot of fear in you. I think the biggest thing is we're not focused on who we're running against. As long as Nyquist continues to do well, we feel very optimistic he's going to run a big race after winning that Derby.

"

Because of Stradivari's lack of experience in big races, he is a major wild card who could realistically finish anywhere on the board.

If his last two performances are any indication, though, he has a legitimate chance to be a factor in the latter stages of the race.

Look for Stradivari to push Nyquist somewhat similarly to what Exaggerator did in the Kentucky Derby, but the result will be the same with Pletcher's horse falling short of the victory.

Show: Exaggerator

Garry Jones/Associated Press

Nyquist won the Kentucky Derby and received all the glory that came along with it, but Exaggerator ran a special race in his own right and proved that he can at least compete with arguably the top three-year-old in the world.

Exaggerator was the only one who posed any type of challenge to Nyquist, and he may have made things even closer had jockey Kent Desormeaux decided to move forward earlier.

Even so, Jeremy Balan of BloodHorse.com came away from the Derby with a great deal of respect for the race Exaggerator ran:

Due to the shorter nature of the Preakness, though, Desormeaux intends to alter his trip in an effort to challenge Nyquist earlier, according to Lintner:

"

It would be very simple just to leave the reins alone, and he'd probably be wherever I'd want him to be. It's something my brother [trainer Keith Desmoreaux] and I discussed. We both have the same mind when it comes to how a horse should be ridden, and we'll probably apply those same things in the Preakness, which should allow him to be closer because I asked him to sit and wait in the Kentucky Derby.

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Making a move sooner could be the strategy best suited to defeat Nyquist, but it could also leave Exaggerator susceptible down the stretch should he expend all his energy beforehand.

Exaggerator is likely to at least be in the mix during the latter stages, but battling Nyquist will allow Stradivari to slip into place position and drop Exaggerator down a spot from his Kentucky Derby showing.

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