Preakness 2015 Post Positions: Odds, Field Outlook for Undercard and Stakes Race
The world of horse racing will converge Saturday on Pimlico Race Course for the 140th running of the Preakness Stakes, but that is far from the only event with major implications.
There is no question that American Pharoah's pursuit of the Triple Crown's second leg will dominate headlines. However, 13 other races will be hosted at Pimlico, and many of them are stakes races that will have huge purses on the line.
The Preakness Day slate will have something for everyone from hardcore horse players to novices of the sport. For those who are planning to follow along or perhaps even place a few wagers, here is a look at the field for each and every one of Saturday's races along with winning predictions.
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Race 13: Preakness Stakes (6:18 p.m. ET)
| 1 | American Pharoah | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert | 5-6 |
| 2 | Dortmund | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | 15-4 |
| 3 | Mr. Z | Corey Nakatani | D. Wayne Lukas | 25-1 |
| 4 | Danzig Moon | Julien Leparoux | Mark Casse | 16-1 |
| 5 | Tale of Verve | Joel Rosario | Dallas Stewart | 50-1 |
| 6 | Bodhisattva | Trevor McCarthy | Jose Corrales | 40-1 |
| 7 | Divining Rod | Javier Castellano | Arnaud Delacour | 16-1 |
| 8 | Firing Line | Gary Stevens | Simon Callaghan | 17-4 |
Horses don't necessarily feel pressure like human athletes do, but there is little doubt American Pharoah and his team are carrying a heavy burden of expectations entering the Preakness. Observers desperately want to see a Triple Crown winner, and many seem to believe that American Pharoah has the talent to accomplish it.
There are plenty of factors at work that could make winning the Preakness extremely difficult, though. First and foremost, American Pharoah is stuck in the No. 1 post, which has traditionally been less conducive to winning than any other spot in the field, according to 120 Sports:
American Pharoah also will have to deal with some strong opponents, including Firing Line and Dortmund who finished second and third, respectively, in the Kentucky Derby. Add in fifth-place finisher Danzig Moon as well as newcomer Divining Rod, and it is clear that American Pharoah will have to earn a victory Saturday.
One thing that may work in his favor is the fact that he won at Churchill Downs without running his best race. Per Jerry Bossert of the New York Daily News, Tale of Verve trainer Dallas Stewart believes American Pharoah will have to struggle in order for another horse to upset him.
"Oh man, he's a great horse," Stewart said. "He'll have to be off his game to beat him."
Another thing to keep an eye on ahead of the Preakness is the weather. Rain is a possibility, as The Weather Channel lists a 25 percent chance right around the 6:18 p.m. ET post time.
If there ultimately is rainfall, trainer Bob Baffert believes that favors American Pharoah, according to KY Derby Contenders:
Regardless of the conditions, American Pharoah has proved himself to be the best horse in the field to this point. The two-week turnaround won't be easy, but since the Preakness is a little shorter than the Kentucky Derby, he should be able to handle it.
The Belmont Stakes may prove to be a different story, but American Pharoah will give himself a shot at the Triple Crown at the very least by winning at Pimlico.
Race 1: Maiden (10:30 a.m. ET)
| 1 | Don's Girl | 8-1 |
| 1a | Shoot Craps | 8-1 |
| 2 | Wednesdays Only | 20-1 |
| 3 | Crossing Borders | 30-1 |
| 4 | La Nina | 3-1 |
| 5 | Sunshine Life | 5-1 |
| 6 | White Temple | 30-1 |
| 7 | Mafia Muscle Man | 6-1 |
| 8 | Finnegan | 6-5 |
After finishing second to Outwork in his debut race last month, Finnegan seems poised to break out with a victory in the opening race of Preakness Day. The Irish colt will have the outside post, which should give all-world jockey Joel Rosario plenty of options.
La Nina and Sunshine Life will be tough competition, but look for Finnegan to lie back and make a late move to win the five-furlong turf race.
Race 2: Deputed Testamony Starter (11 a.m. ET)
| 1 | Q's Jack | 5-1 |
| 1a | Hideaway Moon | 5-1 |
| 2 | Regal Warrior | 10-1 |
| 3 | Stolen Love | 6-5 |
| 4 | Glich | 12-1 |
| 5 | Fish Whistler | 8-1 |
| 6 | Photogenic | 20-1 |
| 7 | No Brakes | 10-1 |
| 8 | Hurricane Creek | 30-1 |
| 9 | Take Down Two | 6-1 |
Stolen Love is a fairly substantial favorite in the second race of the day, but No. 5 Fish Whistler has what it takes to pull off the upset and yield a strong return at 8-1.
The five-year-old gelding has been knocking on the door of a victory, and he has just the jockey to guide him to one Saturday. Trevor McCarthy will ride Fish Whistler for his 21st birthday on Preakness Day. He'll give himself a nice gift by crossing the finish line first in the Deputed Testamony Starter.
Race 3: Xpressbet Purse (11:31 a.m. ET)
| 1 | Handsome Charlie | 8-1 |
| 1a | Honest Dude | 8-1 |
| 2 | Relentless Ride | 9-2 |
| 3 | My Team | 10-1 |
| 4 | Svindahl | 12-1 |
| 5 | Who Matters | 30-1 |
| 6 | Mack the Knife | 5-1 |
| 7 | Uswain Bolt | 50-1 |
| 8 | Timmy T | 20-1 |
| 9 | Chollie D | 20-1 |
| 10 | Chiropractor | 7-2 |
| 11 | Lava | 10-1 |
| 12 | Proration | 15-1 |
| 13 | Steel Sky | 5-1 |
| 14 | Zoo | 6-1 |
Although he is coming off a tough eighth-place finish in his most recent race, Steel Sky is a horse worth watching out of the No. 13 post in the Xpressbet Purse.
Chiropractor has been installed as a slight favorite, but there is a small handful of horses with seemingly equally strong chances to win. The difference could ultimately be the performance of the jockeys, which is why Steel Sky has an advantage with Edgar Prado in tow.
Steel Sky and Zoo will battle for positioning on the outside, but it will be the former who wins out in the end.
Race 4: James W. Murphy Stakes (12:02 p.m. ET)
| 1 | All I Karabout | 5-1 |
| 2 | Force the Pass | 5-2 |
| 3 | Bluegrass Singer | 10-1 |
| 4 | Lysander The Greek | 12-1 |
| 5 | Commute | 7-2 |
| 6 | Woodwin W | 6-1 |
| 7 | Syntax | 12-1 |
| 8 | First Spark | 5-1 |
Jockey Julien Leparoux and trainer Mark Casse will look to make some magic in the Preakness with Danzig Moon, but that won't be their first joint effort Saturday. In the fourth race on the card, they will look to guide Commute to glory.
The three-year-old colt isn't expected to beat favored Force the Pass, but with five horses at 6-1 or better, this is truly a wide open race. Thanks to the synergy between Leparoux and Casse, Commute will find away to triumph in the James W. Murphy Stakes.
Race 5: Maryland Sprint Hcp (12:39 p.m. ET)
| 1 | Jack's in the Deck | 12-1 |
| 2 | Coup de Grace | 3-1 |
| 3 | Picko's Pride | 9-2 |
| 4 | Happy My Way | 5-2 |
| 5 | Sandbar | 9-2 |
| 6 | Souper Knight | 8-1 |
| 7 | Warrioroftheroses | 15-1 |
| 8 | Service for Ten | 12-1 |
The Maryland Sprint is a race with some star power in terms of jockey as Rosario, McCarthy and Joe Bravo will all take part. With that said, the less-heralded Kerwin D. Clark aboard No. 2 Coup de Grace is the man to watch in this one.
The four-year-old colt has five wins to his credit, and it looks as though he and Happy My Way will duke it out for the win. His level of experience is impressive, and the fact that he is sired by Tapit means that he has the pedigree needed to win the big one.
Race 6: LifeBridge Health Good Neighbor's Race (1:14 p.m. ET)
| 1 | Southern Peach | 15-1 |
| 1a | Tanka | 15-1 |
| 2 | Hooligan | 4-1 |
| 3 | Fortyshadesofgreen | 20-1 |
| 4 | Bonnie K | 15-1 |
| 5 | Billscrystalball | 10-1 |
| 6 | Nine Sixty | 5-1 |
| 7 | Lulu Island | 6-1 |
| 8 | Callmealion | 30-1 |
| 9 | Adding Alpha | 10-1 |
| 10 | Pret Say Eye | 5-1 |
| 11 | High Wire Act | 12-1 |
| 12 | Justlookatmenow | 10-1 |
| 13 | Smart N Smokin | 8-1 |
The field for the LifeBridge Health Good Neighbor's Race is a sizable and talented one, but if there is one horse who seems to stand out above the rest, it is Hooligan.
This race is for fillies and mares only, and while Hooligan only has a couple races to her credit, the three-year-old is extremely strong. With a win in her most recent race and John Velazquez serving as the jockey, all signs point toward a Hooligan triumph.
Race 7: Sir Barton Stakes (1:51 p.m. ET)
| 1 | Fame and Power | 5-2 |
| 2 | Measured | 15-1 |
| 3 | Outlash | 10-1 |
| 4 | Noteworthy Peach | 10-1 |
| 5 | Bold Conquest | 9-2 |
| 6 | Donworth | 2-1 |
| 7 | Henry Jones | 20-1 |
| 8 | Verraco | 12-1 |
| 9 | Conquest Bigluck E | 12-1 |
Among horses who aren't running in the Preakness, Donworth is one of the best. The three-year-old colt has finished second and first in his two races, including a runner-up result to Divining Rod in the Lexington Stakes.
He beat out Fame and Power in the race, who looks to be his closest competition in the Sir Barton Stakes. Donworth seems extremely comfortable with Rosario as his jockey since they have two good finishes as a tandem, and they'll score another one on Preakness Day with a win.
Race 8: Old Bay Nation Race (2:35 p.m. ET)
| 1 | I.C. Lightning | 15-1 |
| 2 | Soup d'Coupe | 12-1 |
| 3 | Lunar Rock | 4-1 |
| 4 | Yes I See | 30-1 |
| 5 | Tru Greek | 20-1 |
| 6 | Camden Street | 30-1 |
| 7 | Arrive | 9-2 |
| 8 | Battlefront | 12-1 |
| 9 | Sir Sidney | 10-1 |
| 10 | Loves Last Chance | 3-1 |
| 11 | Causeworthy | 10-1 |
| 12 | Other Cheek | 7-2 |
| 13 | Slip By | 8-1 |
| 14 | Atherton | 30-1 |
Loves Last Chance is looking to bounce back in the Old Bay Nation Race after finishing fourth in the Maryland Million Turf, and the four-year-old colt undoubtedly looks like the horse to beat.
He had won consecutive races prior to his most recent outing, including one with McCarthy on board. They will team up once again Saturday, and while both Lunar Rock and Other Cheek will make a run, Loves Last Chance will prove to be too much.
Race 9: Stella Artois Gallorette Hcp (3:19 p.m. ET)
| 1 | Bocaiuva | 8-1 |
| 2 | Pagan Priestess | 50-1 |
| 3 | Emotional Kitten | 10-1 |
| 4 | Cat's Claw | 10-1 |
| 5 | Joy | 20-1 |
| 6 | Run of the River | 15-1 |
| 7 | Hard Not to Like | 3-1 |
| 8 | Watsdachances | 6-1 |
| 9 | Token of Love | 5-1 |
| 10 | Mango Diva | 6-1 |
| 11 | Sistas Stroll | 8-1 |
| 12 | Oscar Party | 30-1 |
| 13 | Fasnacloich | 20-1 |
Hard Not to Like is a true veteran with 18 races to her credit, and if everything goes as expected in the Stella Artois Gallorette Handicap, she should be in the line to score one of the biggest victories of her racing career.
The six-year-old mare is a heavy favorite at 3-1, which isn't particularly surprising since she has six wins. Add in the presence of Velazquez, and it is clear that no other horse in this race can match Hard Not to Like in terms of being the total package.
Race 10: Chick Lang Stakes (4:04 p.m. ET)
| 1 | Blame Jim | 7-2 |
| 2 | Ackeret | 20-1 |
| 3 | City of Vengeance | 12-1 |
| 4 | Senor Grits | 8-1 |
| 5 | Victory Is Sweet | 9-2 |
| 6 | Hebbronville | 20-1 |
| 7 | Gimme Da Lute | 3-1 |
| 8 | Grand Bili | 12-1 |
| 9 | Holy Boss | 6-1 |
| 10 | We Miss Anthony | 20-1 |
| 11 | W V Jetsetter | 15-1 |
The odds favor horses like Gimme Da Lute and Blame Jim, but the Chick Lang Stakes is a race that is ripe for an upset. If any horse is going to pull it off, then No. 8 Grand Bili seems like just the colt to do it.
Grand Bili was very nearly entered into the Preakness, but Groupo 7C Racing Stable ultimately decided against it. If they came close to putting him in the race, though, it suggests that his owners believe he has big-time talent. With Javier Castellano installed as the jockey, there are few better longer-shot bets on the program than Grand Bili.
Race 11: The Very One Stakes (4:44 p.m. ET)
| 1 | Awake the Day | 50-1 |
| 2 | Ageless | 5-2 |
| 3 | Paddle Board | 12-1 |
| 4 | Joya Real | 8-1 |
| 5 | Shrinking Violet | 2-1 |
| 6 | Jewel of a Cat | 6-1 |
| 7 | Goldstryke Glory | 12-1 |
| 8 | Satan's Mistress | 20-1 |
| 9 | Aquinnah | 12-1 |
| 10 | Tizgale | 12-1 |
| 11 | Just Got In | 30-1 |
The Very One Stakes, exclusive to fillies and mares, will have no shortage of contenders, but it will likely take an unforeseen circumstance to prevent Shrinking Violet from beating the field. With three wins in her past four races, the five-year-old mare enters the race red hot.
The duo of jockey Rosario and trainer Wesley A. Ward gives Shrinking Violet a great overall support system, as well. Provided Rosario gets a clean trip from the No. 5 post position, it should be smooth sailing for the 2-1 favorite.
Race 12: Longines Dixie Stakes (5:25 p.m. ET)
| 1 | Grand Tito | 6-1 |
| 2 | Ironicus | 15-1 |
| 3 | Cage Fighter | 20-1 |
| 4 | Aripeka | 8-1 |
| 5 | Tricky Hat | 12-1 |
| 6 | Skyring | 20-1 |
| 7 | Beyond Smart | 30-1 |
| 8 | Lochte | 20-1 |
| 9 | Legendary | 12-1 |
| 10 | Manchurian High | 15-1 |
| 11 | Up With the Birds | 9-2 |
| 12 | Long On Value | 8-1 |
| 13 | War Correspondent | 7-2 |
| 14 | Talk Show Man | 12-1 |
| 15 | Chamois | 8-1 |
| 16 | Our Emerald Forest | 30-1 |
No race is slated to have more entrants than the Longines Dixie Stakes, and while that field will feature plenty of quality, no horse has proved to be better than War Correspondent. The five-year-old has never finished worse than third in a race, and he is coming off a win in the Appleton Stakes.
War Correspondent beat both Aripeka and Grand Tito in that race, and they are considered two of his biggest challengers in the Dixie Stakes. Velazquez has himself set up for a big day, as he has plenty of quality rides lined up, but none will yield a greater reward than War Correspondent.
Race 14: Allowance (7:08 p.m. ET)
| 1 | Jigsaw | 7-2 |
| 2 | Old Upstart | 3-1 |
| 3 | Double Whammy | 6-1 |
| 4 | Jack O Liam | 5-2 |
| 5 | Echo Libra | 20-1 |
| 6 | Tooth N Claw | 15-1 |
| 7 | Xixixi | 30-1 |
| 8 | Outofthedepths | 30-1 |
| 9 | Segovia | 5-1 |
Old Upstart has struggled to maintain any type of consistency over the course of his career, but when he is in form, he has shown an ability to turn in some transcendent performances. He was terrific in a win at Aqueduct two races ago, and it is worth banking on him to find his stride in the final race of Preakness Day.
Although the four-year-old gelding isn't favored since that distinction belongs to Jack O Liam, Old Upstart has enjoyed more success. He also has the benefit of Velazquez steering the ship, and that should lead to a winning effort in an intriguing allowance race.
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