Preakness Stakes 2011: The 136th People's Race

On Saturday, Animal Kingdom will attempt to win the second leg of the Triple Crown in the 136th Preakness at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. No horse has successfully completed the Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978. The victor will get the Woodlawn Vase and a blanket of Black-eyed Susans.

Over the years some pretty well-known horses have won this event. Names like Man o’ War, War Admiral, Citation, Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Smarty Jones, and Rachel Alexandra.  There have been several lengths added to the race, but it’s been 1 3/16 miles since 1925. Tank’s Prospect (1985), Louis Quatorze (1996) and Curlin (1997) have the fastest times at that length at 1:53.40. Last year, Lookin at Lucky won the Preakness.

Here’s a look at the Preakness 136 contenders (with odds):

Animal Kingdom: 2-1
Astrology: 15-1
Concealed Identity: 30-1
Dance City Todd Pletcher: 15-1
Dialed In: 6-1
Flashpoint: 20-1
Isn’t He Perfect: 50-1
King Congie: 20-1
Midnight Interlude: 15-1
Mr. Commons: 20-1
Mucho Macho Man: 6-1
Norman Asbjornson: 30-1
Shackleford: 12-1
Sway Away: 20-1

Alternate: Saratoga Red: 50-1

Concealed Identity is the offspring of former Triple Crown hopeful Smarty Jones, who won the 2004 Kentucky Derby and the 2004 Preakness before finishing second in the Belmont Stakes.

Dialed In, the Kentucky Derby favorite, looks to settle the score and dash Animal Kingdom’s Triple Crown aspirations.

Sway Away is the son of 2005 Preakness winner Afleet Alex. Norman Asbjornson is the son of 998 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Real Quiet.

The Preakness is also known for the Party. Train, Bruno Mars and others will be performing.  Click here for tickets to the 2011 Preakness InfieldFEST, presented by Bud Light.


Originally published at LestersLegends.com