2011 Preakness Stakes Odds: 5 Horses That Make Us Nervous

If the thought of watching the Preakness Stakes doesn’t excite you, then the names of the horses should. Animal Kingdom, Dance City and Flashpoint are just some of the names of the horses that will compete in this year’s race at Pimlico in Baltimore.

Will Animal Kingdom win the Triple Crown this year, or are we getting excited for a big letdown?

For the love of your wallet and all of those Tums you’ll down this Saturday, here are ten horses that should make you nervous for the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes at Golden Gate Fields.

Animal Kingdom

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LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 07: Jockey John Velazquez, riding Animal Kingdom #16, celebrates with H. Graham Motion after winning the 137th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 7, 2011 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Anytime I see the name Animal Kingdom I think of the Disney park with that huge tree in the middle of it. Kingdom’s jockey John Velazquez was scheduled to ride another horse before he hopped on the Kingdom, and look how that turned out for the both of them?

Before racing in the Kentucky Derby, AK (Animal Kingdom) had never raced on dirt and had only run in four career races. If that isn’t enough to make you queasy, I’m not sure what will do the trick.

Dance City

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BALTIMORE - MAY 15: The pack leaves the gate to start the 135th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 15, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Cool name notwithstanding that Dance City has a helluva chance to take the Stakes. The City was injured in the Derby, which only heightens this horse's mystique for the Preakness.

City has a pretty good trainer in Todd Pletcher, and I’m sure he’ll have DC ready to go for Saturday.

Mucho Macho Man

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LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 05: Kentucky Derby entrant Mucho Macho Man is walked during morning workouts in preparation for the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 5, 2011 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

I swear, these horses have some pretty awesome names. How can you not root for Mucho Macho Man? Only thing missing on the end of this horse’s name is Randy Savage.

Anyway, the Macho Man finished third at the Derby, which shows that he’s ready for primetime. Mucho is a young horse, and those tender legs may prove profitable in Baltimore this weekend.

Shackleford

Rob Carr/Getty Images

LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 07: Jockey Jesus L. Castanon, riding Shackleford #14, leads the field down the front stretch at the start of the 137th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 7, 2011 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

No, not the village in England, but the horse who finished fourth at the all-important Kentucky Derby.

Apparently Shackle is on the cusp of doing something great in the world of horse racing, kind of like LeBron James is on the cusp in ba—you get the picture.

This horse will have to improve greatly to win on Saturday, but if his Florida Derby performance is any indication, we may finally see that potential come to the light.

Astrology

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LINGFIELD, ENGLAND - MAY 09: Age of Aquarius ridden by John Murtagh wins The Totesport.com Derby Trial Stakes (Class 1) race during the race meeting at Lingfield Park on May 09, 2009 in Lingfield, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)

Speedy is the word that’s been used to describe this two year old colt. He has a pretty experienced owner in George Bolton, who has won two Preakness Stakes in his day.

This will be Astrology’s third start of the season and if he can repeat his successes in 2010, he won the Iroquois Stakes that year, then the Maalox and Tums need be in great supply come Saturday.