2011 Preakness Stakes Odds: The 5 Silliest Bets You Can Place

While the Kentucky Derby draws most of the gambling attention, the Preakness always provides value. The Derby winner, in this case Animal Kingdom, is always bet more heavily than he should be, giving the opportunity for a nice payoff if you can beat him.

If you are trying to make a smart, intelligent bet, this article is not for you. This is for people who just want to have a little fun.

I've come up with five bets worth placing, one for each of five different kind of gamblers, from long shots to exactas to a nice, cool safety bet.

As for me? Well, I've included a sixth slide where I'll tell you exactly what I'm betting.

1. The Long Shot Glory Hunter

You like to put a couple bucks on a long shot and just watch him run? Well, I got your long shot.

King Congie, breaking out of the third gate, has been improving quickly. He did struggle in his two starts on dirt, but those were his first two starts.

Coming from mid-pack along with Animal Kingdom, it's tough to expect him to outrun the Derby winner. But if Animal Kingdom gets caught passing horses, it could be King Congie who comes away with the Black-Eyed Susans. Plus, he's likely to go off at 20-1 or more, while in reality he should be about 12-1.

Oh, and by the way, Robby Albarado, King Congie's jockey, was supposed to be Animal Kingdom's jockey before he was pulled two days before the race after suffering a broken nose in a fall. Wouldn't it be poetic justice if Albarado got revenge in the Preakness?

2. The Just Need to Cash a Ticket Bettor

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BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 20: Trainer Kathy Ritvo watches her horse, Preakness entrant Mucho Macho Man, go over the track at Pimlico Race Course on May 20, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The 136th running of the Preakness Stakes will take place on May 21. (Pho

Did you get wiped at the Kentucky Derby? Is the last ticket you cashed a parking ticket? Have you forgotten what it feels like to win?

Mucho Macho Man got loads of trouble at Churchill Downs and still ran third. It was as impressive a run as any horse in the Derby in some time. The smaller field and quicker pace will only help Mucho Macho Man. Put $2 on him to show and maybe, for once, you finally can make a $0.50 profit.

3. The Daddy Needs a New Yacht High Roller

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BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 18: Susan Faber (R) places the name of Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness entrant Animal Kingdom on the board during the post position draw for the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 18, 2011 in Balti

Is money not an option? Are you just betting because you can and want the highest possible return if you hit? Then why not try a superfecta, where you pick the top four horses in order?

Here's what I'd say to bet:

First: 6, 9, 11

Second: 6, 9, 11

Third: 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11

Fourth: ALL

A $1 wager has 330 combinations, so it'll cost you $330. If you are like me and the money matters, you could do a $0.10 wager, which will only run you $33.

4. The Souvenir Sucker

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ELKTON, MD - MAY 17: Hot walker Noe Lagunas holds Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness entrant Animal Kingdom at the Fair Hill Training Center on May 17, 2011 in Elkton, Maryland. Animal Kingdom is training for Saturday's 136th Preakness Stakes in Baltimo

Are you one of those people who bets $2 on every horse in the Kentucky Derby just so that if your horse wins the Triple Crown, you have the souvenir wager?

Well, then you don't even need me to tell you who to bet on.

Put your $2 on Animal Kingdom and hope this is the year that despite all those losses you finally get to say, "Worth it."

5. The Hunch Play Hoper

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BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 20: Exercise rider Destin Heath takes Preakness entrant Isn't He Perfect over the track at Pimlico Race Course on May 20, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The 136th running of the Preakness Stakes will be run on Saturday. (Photo by Rob Ca

Do you bet based on name or look for a horse that most reminds you of someone you know?

Then how can you not bet on Isn't He Perfect?

I mean, look at the name. How can you not bet on Isn't He Perfect?

Sure, he has no chance, no chance at all. He's 30-1 on the morning line and more likely to go off over 50-1. But come on. Mine That Bird had no chance in the Kentucky Derby, right?

6. The Me

What am I betting on?

Absolutely nothing.

I never bet on the Preakness, a superstition dating back to my primitive years. I bet on the Preakness in 2000, where Red Bullet upset Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, and I bet again in 2001.

2002 to 2004, no bets. None. Each year, the Derby winner won the Preakness.

I want to see a Triple Crown winner, and I am desperately superstitious.

You remember the 2003 World Series? I know, I'm still waiting for the World Series ring I'm owed for making sure the Florida Marlins won their second title. Not to mention what the University of Florida owes me for beating Ohio State in both football and basketball.

So when Animal Kingdom wins the Triple Crown, I expect a gift, Barry Irwin. I expect something.

Unless, of course, the world ceases to exist.