Preakness 2014 Contenders: Updated Race-Day Outlook for Top Favorites
The 2014 Preakness Stakes is one of the most talked-about horse races in the world, and the frenzy surrounding the 1 3/16-mile battle is amped up as California Chrome contends for the first Triple Crown since 1978.
While California Chrome has the chance to make history, there are nine other horses in the field with the strength and speed to contend for the victory. The horse that wins the Preakness will have earned it.
Here is the full lineup for Saturday’s race, post positions, odds and a focus on a horse off the radar that could make noise in the 2014 Preakness Stakes.
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Where: Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland
When: Saturday, May 17
Post Time: 6:19 p.m. ET
TV: NBC (coverage begins at 4:30 p.m. ET)
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra
| 1 | Dynamic Impact | Miguel Mena | 12-1 | $26.00 |
| 2 | General a Rod | Javier Castellano | 15-1 | $32.00 |
| 3 | California Chrome | Victor Espinoza | 3-5 | $3.20 |
| 4 | Ring Weekend | Alan Garcia | 20-1 | $42.00 |
| 5 | Bayern | Rosie Napravnik | 10-1 | $22.00 |
| 6 | Ria Antonia | Calvin Borel | 30-1 | $62.00 |
| 7 | Kid Cruz | Julian Pimentel | 20-1 | $42.00 |
| 8 | Social Inclusion | Luis Contreras | 5-1 | $12.00 |
| 9 | Pablo Del Monte | Jeffrey Sanchez | 20-1 | $42.00 |
| 10 | Ride On Curlin | Joel Rosario | 10-1 | $22.00 |
Underrated Contender to Watch: Ride On Curlin
The biggest storyline coming into Saturday’s Preakness Stakes is California Chrome’s attempt to make history, but one of the horses not getting talked about enough is Ride On Curlin.
Despite coming off a tough seventh-place finish at the Kentucky Derby, Ride On Curlin is still one of the strongest horses in this field. Add in third-place finishes at the Southwest Stakes and Rebel Stakes and a second-place finish at the Arkansas Derby, and there is no doubt this horse should contend for the win in a 10-horse field.
Jay Privman of Daily Racing Form talked about Ride On Curlin’s improvements:
One of the reasons Ride On Curlin struggled in the Kentucky Derby was his post position. After starting 18th of 19 horses, he was slow out of the gate, he was unable to deal with traffic and he struggled to find his way back into contention.
In the post draw for the Preakness Stakes, Ride On Curlin's bad luck continued as he drew the No. 10 post.
When asked about starting from a less-than-ideal post, trainer Billy Gowan told the Associated Press, via USA Today, “It's OK, I'm an outsider anyhow. I don't think it's bad here. With the kind of pace we have in the field, I think it's fine. He's a tough horse and he can take a lot of work. He moves good over this track.”
Caton Bredar of Horse Racing TV also talked to Gowan about his horse:
The key will be contending with traffic. While an outside post is never ideal, jockey Joel Rosario understands that this is a long race (1 3/16 miles) and that he must have a fast start to avoid being marred in traffic.
With Mother Nature dumping a heavy deluge of water on the track Friday, getting stuck in the back of the pack will likely mean contending with mud in the face of the horses. If Rosario gets Ride On Curlin out of the gates quickly, he could get an early lead and hold on.
Even if the horse must stay on the outside until the crowd thins out, he has the strength and endurance to be a contender for the win.
Despite the tough post draw, a great start would catapult this horse into contention.
Predicted Finish: fourth
Stats via HorseRacingNation.com.
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