Preakness Field 2014: Triple Crown Predictions and Latest Odds for All Horses
There is always plenty of buzz surrounding the Preakness Stakes, but the level of intrigue is even higher this year due to California Chrome's Triple Crown status.
No horse has taken the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes in the same year since Affirmed in 1978. There is plenty of work left for California Chrome to do after winning at Churchill Downs, but he will be a heavy favorite at Pimlico with good reason.
California Chrome is quite obviously the best three-year-old out there right now, but so many factors have to play out perfectly in order for a horse to take all three gems of the Triple Crown.
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Here is a look at the horses that will have an opportunity to upset California Chrome along with their odds and final Preakness predictions.
Where: Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore
Post Time: Saturday, May 17 at 6:18 p.m. ET
Watch: NBC
Preakness Field
| 1 | Dynamic Impact | Miguel Mena | Mark Casse | 12-1 |
| 2 | General a Rod | Javier Castellano | Mike Maker | 15-1 |
| 3 | California Chrome | Victor Espinoza | Art Sherman | 3-5 |
| 4 | Ring Weekend | Alan Garcia | Graham Motion | 20-1 |
| 5 | Bayern | Gary Stevens | Bob Baffert | 10-1 |
| 6 | Ria Antonia | Calvin Borel | Tom Amoss | 30-1 |
| 7 | Kid Cruz | Julian Pimentel | Linda Rice | 20-1 |
| 8 | Social Inclusion | Luis Contreras | Manuel Azpurua | 5-1 |
| 9 | Pablo Del Monte | Jeffrey Sanchez | Wesley Ward | 20-1 |
| 10 | Ride On Curlin | Joel Rosario | Billy Gowan | 10-1 |
*Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com as of Saturday, May 17 at 7 a.m. ET
Preakness Prediction
Win: California Chrome
After such a dominant performance in the Kentucky Derby, it is tough to imagine any horse other than California Chrome prevailing in the Preakness. The betting public clearly agrees with that notion, as half of all bets have been placed on the overwhelming favorite, according to Covers.com:
The rest of the Preakness field seemingly isn't as deep or talented as the group that ran in the Kentucky Derby. The fact that there will be less traffic on the track bodes well for California Chrome, too, since it is less likely that he'll get stuck with a bad trip. Add California Chrome's five-race winning streak into the equation, and that is a lot to love about his chances at Pimlico.
With that said, some concerns have cropped up in recent days regarding California Chrome's health. The fantastic colt was heard coughing on Friday, but assistant trainer Alan Sherman insists that there is no issue, per Tom LaMarra of BloodHorse.com.
"California Chrome is fine," Sherman said. "His throat is fine. He got a little tickle, but he's not going to be scratched. I don't know why it was blown out of proportion. The horse is in perfect shape."
It is possible that Sherman is simply trying to downplay a greater issue, but California Chrome's handlers wouldn't put him in a dangerous situation. There is every reason to believe that California Chrome is feeling good, and there is no reason to pick against him if that is the case.
Place: Kid Cruz
He isn't the subject of much hype entering the Preakness since most of that is reserved for California Chrome, but Kid Cruz is definitely a horse worth watching. He has run in just five races and has never really been on the big stage, but his results are quite impressive.
Kid Cruz enters the Preakness having won consecutive races and three out of his past four. Perhaps the most important factor to note is that Kid Cruz's most recent win came at Pimlico Race Course. The level of competition, as well as the distance, will be different for the Preakness, but his experience on the track can only help.
Commanding Curve was considered a non-factor ahead of the Kentucky Derby, but he had winning experience at Churchill Downs. That obviously played a role and resulted in Commanding Curve stealing a second-place finish.
Perhaps Kid Cruz can pull off something similar. He is viewed by some as a sneaky bet for Saturday's race, including Doug Salvatore of BloodHorse.com:
Although bettors won't make much money solely betting on California Chrome, identifying a place horse with long odds such as Kid Cruz could be lucrative. The speed stats may not be in Kid Cruz's favor, but his Pimlico familiarity should play a role.
Show: Ride On Curlin
Things didn't go according to plan for Ride On Curlin in the Kentucky Derby, as he finished a disappointing seventh, but he figures to be in the mix at Pimlico. Ride On Curlin had a nightmarish trip at Churchill Downs, as jockey Calvin Borel dropped him back and brought him to the rail. Unfortunately, he was never able to recover.
That same strategy won't be used in the Preakness since trainer Billy Gowan has switched jockeys to Joel Rosario. According to Mike Gathagan of Maryland Jockey Club, Gowan wants Ride On Curlin to be just off the pace as the horses come down the stretch:
If the pace that is set is a bit too frantic, then California Chrome could be susceptible in the latter stages. That would allow a stalking horse like Ride On Curlin to potentially usurp California Chrome for the win.
Since Victor Espinoza figures to control his horse quite effectively, just as he did in the Kentucky Derby, California Chrome should still be fine. The strategy of Ride On Curlin's camp should be enough for a top-three finish, though.
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