Preakness 2016 Odds: Horses to Avoid and Safest Jockeys to Bet This Year
The middle leg of the Triple Crown stretch, the 2016 Preakness Stakes manages to match the hype of last year's event thanks to a horse by the name of Nyquist.
Nyquist did what most everyone expected—including those oddsmakers out of Las Vegas—and cruised to a victory at the Kentucky Derby in what was a better class of participants than most thought at the time.
The 141st running of the Preakness Stakes hints at similar depth and competitiveness, especially with rain threatening to put a damper on things. Here's a look at everything to know and some betting advice to consider.
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Date: Saturday
Post Time: 6:45 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra
Preakness Entries and Odds
| 1 | Cherry Wine | Dale Romans | Corey Lanerie | William Pacella, Frank L. Jones Jr., Frank Shoop | 25-1 |
| 2 | Uncle Lino | Gary Sherlock | Fernando Perez | Tom Mansor, Purple Shamrock Racing, Gary Sherlock | 33-1 |
| 3 | Nyquist | Doug O'Neill | Mario Gutierrez | J. Paul Reddam | 4-7 |
| 4 | Awesome Speed | Alan Goldberg | Jevian Toledo | Colts Neck Stables | 33-1 |
| 5 | Exaggerator | Keith Desormeaux | Kent Desormeaux | Big Chief Racing | 15-4 |
| 6 | Lani | Mikio Matsunaga | Yutaka Take | Koji Maeda | 40-1 |
| 7 | Collected | Bob Baffert | Javier Castellano | Speedway Stable | 16-1 |
| 8 | Laoban | Eric Guillot | Florent Geroux | McCormick Racing, Southern Equine Stable | 40-1 |
| 9 | Abiding Star | Ned Allar | J.D. Acosta | Stonehedge LLC | 40-1 |
| 10 | Fellowship | Mark Casse | Jose Lezcano | Jacks or Better Farm | 33-1 |
| 11 | Stradivari | Todd Pletcher | John Velazquez | John Gunther, Michael Tabor, Derek Smith, Susan Magnier | 8-1 |
Horses to Avoid
Uncle Lino
It's going to be tough for bettors to ignore Uncle Lino Saturday because of a smooth payout potential and the fact the Gary Sherlock-trained horse enters the event after a win in the California Chrome Stakes.
While that's an enticing set of circumstances, careful analysis pushes the scales well back in the other direction.
For one, Uncle Lino drew a disappointing second pole position. This might not be such a terrible problem thanks to his great starting speed, but No. 3 happens to be Nyquist, the favorite and epic closer.
To make matters worse, Uncle Lino has a miserable track record against notable names, finishing behind horses such as Mor Spirit, Exaggerator and Danzing Candy in two of his last three outings. Better value plays exist.
Cherry Wine
On paper without much in the way of context, Cherry Wine looks like another stab at a great payout. Dale Romans is a notable trainer, and there's the allure of a well-rested sprinter of a horse who could pull off an upset.
The problem, though, is Cherry Wine will run from the first post and likely get caught on the rail. And Romans is still recovering from injured ribs after a car accident, according to Jake Lourim of the Baltimore Sun. It doesn't sound like a huge deal, but preparation is everything for an event like this, especially for a horse who is still seeking a major first victory.
Oddsmakers seem to love the idea of a rested sprinter who hasn't raced since April pulling off an upset, but bettors have to know better.
Jockeys to Bet
Kent Desormeaux (Exaggerator)
Exaggerator isn't the favorite Saturday and wasn't going into the Kentucky Derby, either.
But the familiar scenario shouldn't deter bettors. Exaggerator and the Desormeaux brothers still ran a superb race in Kentucky, with the Hall of Famer Kent up top charging from behind to somewhat make the race interesting.
Kent always deserves a bet, but this weekend is particularly interesting. Weather.com suggests a healthy dose of rain, which will muddy the track and perhaps throw off Nyquist.
Sloppy conditions wouldn't throw off Exaggerator—he won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby in muddy conditions this past April.
As the Courier-Journal captured, the crew is quite ready for a rematch with Saturday's favorite:
Bettors should find the notion exciting too, especially when the chance at a greater payout than the favorite exists.
Javier Castellano (Collected)
Javier Castellano always deserves a strong look from bettors.
Winner of the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey three years in a row, Castellano forms something of a superteam this weekend with legendary trainer Bob Baffert.
The duo guides Collected, who has won two events in a row, including the Grade 2 Lexington Stakes in April. Well-rested with Castellano up top and the trainer who led American Pharoah to the Triple Crown last year, Collected isn't a horse to ignore.
KY Derby Contenders added a note by Baffert to consider:
Gunning out of the seventh post, Castellano should be able to run the race as he sees fit.
Given the circumstances, it's a situation that bettors have to like.
Stats and information courtesy of Preakness.com unless otherwise specified. Odds via Odd Shark.
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