Preakness 2013 Horses: Orb and More Contenders to Bet Big

Post time of the 2013 Preakness Stakes is quickly coming up, as the 13-race card at Pimlico Race Course is already well underway.

If you are looking for some last-minute advice on how to bet the main event and trying to make the second jewel of the Triple Crown a profitable one, you’ve come to the right place.

I’ve identified a handful of horses that should hit the board on Saturday evening and included some advice on how you should bet each one of them. Let’s take a closer look at this trio of contenders.

*Odds via Preakness.com.

The Long Shot: Govenor Charlie at 12-1

Any time a horse comes into Preakness having run just three times during his prep career and having skipped the Kentucky Derby, there’s a reason to be skeptical.

Still, Govenor Charlie has been nothing short of excellent in the first few races, winning twice and finishing second in the other. He set a track record at the Sunland Derby and looked prime to be a major contender in the Run for the Roses.

Unfortunately, he suffered a hoof injury that forced trainer Bob Baffert to keep him away from Kentucky two weeks ago.

He’s now healed up and looking great in workouts, which is why he’s a perfect bet to fill out exotics. This three-year-old has a good shot of paying dividends for those that back him to show, which is exactly what I’m recommending in this race.

Advice: Bet to show.

 

Contender: Goldencents at 8-1

Despite a poor finish in the Kentucky Derby, Goldencents should fare much better in this event. While the forecast shows rain in the Baltimore area, it’s doubtful that the slop will be nearly as wet or muddy as it was beneath the Twin Spires a fortnight ago.

There’s also more room for jockey Kevin Krigger to maneuver his mount to avoid kickback, something Goldencents can’t handle well, as the Preakness field only boasts nine horses.

Expect trainer Doug O’Neill to have this horse primed to come flying out of the gate and trying to win it in wire-to-wire fashion, which was a successful strategy during his prep career.

Goldencents is arguably the fastest horse in this competition, and he should have no problem keeping the pack behind him for most of the 9.5 furlongs. I just don’t think he has the stamina to fend off a late surge by the favorite and he will lose by a length.

Advice: Bet to place.

 

Winner: Orb at 1-1

After being adorned with roses at Churchill Downs, Orb heads to Maryland eyeing another prize: the blanket of Black-Eyed Susans. This event is practically a formality in trainer Shug McGaughey’s bid to win the Triple Crown for the first time since Affirmed accomplished the feat in 1978.

There’s simply no other competitor in the field that possesses the same combination of speed and closing ability, which means Orb could come from anywhere after the turn and still win by mile. Just look at his Beyer Speed Figure from the Kentucky Derby, as this colt clocked in at a 104, despite abhorrent conditions and immense traffic out of the gate.

With less horses and slightly better surfaces expected at Pimlico, don’t be surprised when Orb runs away with this and prepares for Belmont as a Triple Crown favorite.

Advice: Bet to win.

 

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

Post	Horse	Jockey	Trainer	Latest Odds
1	Orb	Joel Rosario	Shug McGaughey	1-1
2	Goldencents	Kevin Krigger	Doug O'Neill	8-1
3	Titletown Five	Julien Leparoux	D. Wayne Lukas	30-1
4	Departing	Brian Hernandez, Jr.	Albert M. Stall, Jr.	6-1
5	Mylute	Rosie Napravnik	Tom Amoss	5-1
6	Oxbow	Gary Stevens	D. Wayne Lukas	15-1
7	Will Take Charge	Mike Smith	D. Wayne Lukas	12-1
8	Govenor Charlie	Martin Garcia	Bob Baffert	12-1
9	Itsmyluckyday	John Velazquez	Eddie Plesa Jr.	10-1