Preakness 2013: Latest Betting Lines and Predictions

The 2013 Preakness Stakes is just around the corner and the latest buzz seems to be centered on Orb’s chances to capture the second jewel of the Triple Crown.

However, there are nine other horses likely to compete in this prestigious event at Pimlico Race Course and each one of them will be looking to dethrone the 2013 Kentucky Derby winner.

Keep reading to find out the odds for each of these contenders, some advice on how to bet the race, a prediction on the outcome and much more.

2013 Preakness Stakes | Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, MD | Purse: $1 Million | Grade I | Distance: 9.5 furlongs | Post Time: 6:20 p.m. ET | Watch Live on NBC | Live Stream on NBC Sports

Odds updated May 18.

*Info via Preakness.com.

Titletown Five owners—former Green Bay Packers stars Paul Hornung and Willie Davis—may have won numerous championships together on the football field but they don’t have a winning colt on their hands.

This horse has only been able to enter the Preakness due to the sheer number of actual contenders that dropped out of contention following the Kentucky Derby.

He wasn’t able to qualify for the 2013 Run for the Roses, as he finished poorly in his three races during the three-year-old season. He placed fourth at the Kentucky Derby Trial and ninth in the Louisiana Derby.

Titletown Five's best showing came all the way back in early March, when he finished second at the Gazebo Stakes.

Despite being an unfamiliar face that has some intrigue to sports fans due to the owners, resist the urge to place a bet on this long shot that won’t finish near the front of the pack come Saturday. 

After pulling out late from Derby contention, Govenor Charlie is making an appearance at the Preakness Stakes and could pay dividends for those that back him at 12-1.

He’s been practicing at Churchill Downs in the days leading up to the second jewel of the Triple Crown, which may help him to keep pace with the favorite—Orb—down the stretch.

With a brisk six-furlong time of 1:10 four-fifths in warmup runs, you can expect the colt to perform much better than his current odds indicate.

This horse has hit the board in every race he’s participated in, including first-place finishes at the Sunland Derby and a maiden special weight race at Santa Anita.

While he’s a bit unproven, Govenor Charlie is worth some serious consideration, especially to place or show and round out exotics. 

Goldencents disappointed the nation when he finished 17th during the Derby, but he has a chance to atone this coming Saturday.

Trainer Doug O’Neill is confident that his horse will perform better at Pimlico, especially with clear conditions in the forecast.

He admitted that it wasn’t the horse’s day beneath the Twin Spires. Jockey Kevin Krigger apparently took it easy on Goldencents in order to save his energy and not risk injury with the Preakness looming.

Bettors are certainly on board with that statement, as he should go off close to 8-1, behind favorite Orb, but not by much.

Remember, this colt was the fastest in the field heading into the derby, but simply couldn’t handle the slop and kickback at Churchill Downs. Those obstacles will be absent on May 18, so expect a whole different level of performance out of this challenger.

Orb is looking like a true contender to claim the first Triple Crown since Affirmed accomplished the feat back in 1978.

After his romp through the mud at the Kentucky Derby, it’s no surprise that he’s a huge favorite to be adorned with the blanket of Black-Eyed Susans after the Preakness Stakes.

It’s not an unprecedented task, as 12 horses have won the major races at both Churchill and Pimlico in the 35 years since Affirmed’s accomplishment—including I’ll Have Another in 2012.

As long as Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey and superstar jockey Joel Rosario continue to do their job, this race is almost a formality—especially considering the small field and weak competition.

Orb’s true test will come in early June at the Belmont Stakes, so back the colt now and worry about his Triple Crown chances later.