2011 Preakness Stakes Odds: 6 Bold Predictions After Post Position Release

The Preakness is officially ready to be run with the full field of 14 set and morning line odds set.

While the field looks like it may hand the race to Animal Kingdom, there are multiple new challengers in the field that may surprise everyone. 

While a bold prediction only a few months ago would be saying that the Preakness would run this year, it’s time to make predictions about what will happen on the track.

1. Mr. Commons Wins

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BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 18: Preakness entrant Mr. Commons grazes outside the stakes barn after arriving at Pimlico Race Course on May 18, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The 136th running of the Preakness Stakes will be run on Saturday. (Photo by Rob Carr/Gett

Mr. Commons is trained by the same trainer, John Shirreffs, of Zenyatta and Giacomo (2005 Kentucky Derby winner). He ran a nice third in the Santa Anita Derby and Shirreffs kept him back in California to train him at home up to the Preakness.

While most people have Mr. Commons out of their minds, he may pull an upset.

2. Animal Kingdom Finishes Last

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ELKTON, MD - MAY 17: Assistant trainer David Rock (R) leads Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness entrant Animal Kingdom with exercise rider David Nava up (L) around the track at the Fair Hill Training Center on May 17, 2011 in Elkton, Maryland. Animal Ki

This field looks pretty nonthreatening to the Derby winner, other than perhaps the distance, but barring injury, the horse shouldn't come close to last.

3. Mucho Macho Man Makes Up for the Derby

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LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 05: Kentucky Derby entrant Mucho Macho Man works on the track in preparation for the 137th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5, 2011 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The Village People's pick won't even be three until next month, but he drew the best post position for him in the No. 9 spot. He got up for third in the Derby and has odds of 6-1 right now; he may even deliver the Triple Crown hopeful's upset.

4. Sway Away Proves He Shouldn't Have Been Left out of the Derby

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LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 04: Sway Away trains during the morning exercise runs session in preparation for the 137th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2011 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Sway Away got the short end of the stick when Uncle Mo scratched after the draw on Derby week. My prediction is that he will come into the race and finish in the top three, as trainer Jeff Bonde is out for revenge and the horse is eager to run.

5. Baffert Pulls Another Triple Crown Upset

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LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 05: Kentucky Derby entrant Midnight Interlude works on the track preparation for the 137th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5, 2011 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Ten years ago, Bob Baffert ended the Triple Crown bid of Monarchos with Point Given. While Midnight Interlude isn't as popular as Point Given (or even as talented in many minds), Baffert has spoiled the Triple Crown bid before (with Looking At Lucky last year) and may pull it off again this year. Midnight Interlude enters the race at odds of 15-1 (same as Sway Away and Astrology).

6. All the Derby Runners Finish at the Bottom of the Placings

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BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 18: Assistant trainer Scott Blasi leads Preakness entrant Astrology to the barn at Pimlico Race Course on May 18, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The 136th running of the Preakness Stakes will be run on Saturday. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty

The prep schedule to qualify for the Derby plus the actual race takes a lot out of a horse. With multiple fresh horses in the field, it isn't totally out of the question to see these horses beat out the Derby runners.