Preakness Odds: Best Bets for Triple Crown's 2nd Leg

Orb will undoubtedly leave the gates at the 2013 Preakness Stakes as a huge favorite, but that is exactly why he's not a good bet.

This race will be wide open, and the potential of other horses to derail Orb's quest at history makes taking an overwhelming favorite at Pimlico on May 18 an unsavory proposition. 

The next three horses offer up a little more bang for your buck, and all have a great shot at finishing in the money. 

2013 Preakness Contenders and Odds

Departing	7/2
Goldencents	7/1
Govenor Charlie	20/1
Itsmyluckyday	9/1
Mylute	12/1
Normandy Invasion	6/1
Orb	7/5
Oxbow	20/1
Street Spice	25/1
Titletown Five	30/1
Vyjack	15/1
Will Take Charge	12/1

All horses probable or possible via Horse Racing Nation. All betting information via Bovada.

Govenor Charlie (20/1)

I expect this horse to gain a little momentum and go off with lower odds than 20/1, but not so low that he isn't a solid bet.

This horse is flying under the radar, and it's understandable. He hasn't had a start since March 24. That came in the Sunland Derby (in the above video). He took that race and looked headed towards the Kentucky Derby, but a bruised foot kept him from running. 

Not only has this horse had a lengthy layoff, but he is also severely lightly tested, as he has run in just three races. However, he's won his last two starts and was second in his first. 

This Bob Baffert horse has shown good speed and a the drive to win. While he is low on experience, Baffert will make sure this horse is ready to go on race day. 

Oxbow (20-1 Odds)

Oxbow's performance at Churchill Downs hasn't generated a ton of buzz. He came in a pedestrian sixth, but it was a solid run.

He was in second late into this race, and then just didn't have enough in the tank to keep up with some of the bigger finishing kicks. There was enough promise shown by the horse in that race for trainer D. Wayne Lukas to likely have him starting the Preakness, and he wouldn't do that if he didn't feel he had a strong shot a finishing in the money. 

With the smaller field at the Preakness, this horse will have more room to run his race, and with Hal of Fame jockey Gary Stevens again getting the mount, this horse will run a smart race. 

Mylute (12-1 Odds)

Mylute finished fifth at the Kentucky Derby and he was just a neck away from finishing in the money. The showing, combined with his quick recovery and good form after the race, was enough for trainer Tom Amoss to send this horse onto the Preakness. 

This horse has never won on a track that is over a mile long, but he has shown a nice finishing kick. Not only at the Kentucky Derby, but also in the Louisiana Derby. This horse has as good a finishing kick as anyone, it's just about timing that kick right. 

Rosie Napravnik will again get the mount, and she is definitely excited for it:

As she continues to get a feel for this horse, she will find the right mix and turn that neck deficit into a neck victory.