2011 Preakness Stakes
Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland
1 3/16 mile, flat oval track
Saturday, May 21, 2011, post time 6:16 pm Eastern, TV: NBC

After running the best race in his career two weeks ago in the Kentucky Derby, Animal Kingdom now goes for the second leg of the Triple Crown in the Preakness Stakes. He was a 20/1 long shot in the Derby but is a 2-1 favorite in the Preakness. Animal Kingdom will race against a full field of 14 horses, which is a sign that people consider him to be vulnerable. Four other horses raced in the Derby alongside Animal Kingdom, including Dialed In (9/2 morning line odds), Shackleford (12/1), Midnight Interlude (15/1), and Mucho Macho Man (6/1). It is no coincidence that those horses have the lowest odds on the board. In the last 10 Preakness Stakes horses who ran in the Derby have filled 23 of the 30 trifecta spots. Since 2000, the winner of the Derby has placed in the money at Pimlico all but 3 times. For a complete look at the field, click here. Here is a look at some of the contenders, sleepers and long shots.

Animal Kingdom (2/1) Jockey: John Velazquez Trainer: Graham Motion

The day before the Kentucky Derby jockey Robby Albarado suffered a broken nose. He was taken off Animal Kingdom and replaced by Velazquez who was supposed to be on the second favorite in the Derby, Uncle Mo before the horse was scratched. Animal Kingdom has run 5 races in his career and has never finished lower than 2nd. Even though he has never raced at Pimlico, the track plays to his strengths. Fatigue could be a factor as the Derby was only 2 weeks ago. However, he ran 2 races in March with only 3 weeks in between, and wasn’t affected too much. Like the Derby, the Preakness is pretty balanced. Animal Kingdom will certainly contend, but he isn’t unbeatable by any means. He drew a decent post position with the number 11.

Dialed In (9/2) Jockey: Julien Laparoux Trainer: Nick Zito

Though he went off as the Derby favorite, Dialed In finished a disappointing 8th. He hadn’t finished lower than second in 4 previous career races. The owners of Dialed In have extra motivation as they will win a $5.5 million bonus if they win the Preakness, having won the Holy Bull and Florida Derby previously. Was the Derby just a bad day for Dialed In or was he overrated? We will find out on Saturday, but I think he have a better showing than he did in the Derby. I don’t really feel strongly about him either way, but he is probably worth including in your wagers. Dialed In drew the #10 position at Pimlico.

Mucho Macho Man (6/1) Jockey: Rajiv Marach Trainer: Kathy Ritvo

Mucho finished 3rd in the Derby. He has plenty of experience with 9 career races. Though he only has 2 career wins, he has never finished lower than 4th in any race. I see him possibly contending but I don’t think he can win the race.

Shackleford (12/1) Jockey: Jesus Castanon Trainer: Dale Romans

Shackleford finished 4th in the Derby after leading for much of the race. He has 6 career races, and 2 wins. He came in second to Dialed in at the Florida Derby. I think Shackleford is too inconsistent to contend at Pimlico. Shackleford and Flashpoint are the two speed horses and look for them to take the early lead.

Dance City (12/1) Jockey: Ramon Dominguez Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Dance City has the lowest odds of any of the 9 horses who didn’t run in the Derby. He only has 4 career races and 2 wins. He finished 3rd at the Arkansas Derby in his only race against grade one competition. He didn’t have enough earnings to qualify for the Derby, but the rest might help him. He is lightly raced, but is considered to be a sleeper by many experts. I think he is worth a  play either to win or in your exactas and trifectas.

Astrology (15/1) Jockey: Mike Smith Trainer: Steven Asmussen

Though he drew the dreaded number 1 post position and didn’t run in the Derby, Astrology is a nice semi-long shot. He has 7 career starts and 2 wins. He has finished 2nd in his last 3 races. He hasn’t raced since April 23. He is worth a play.

Sway Away (15/1) Jockey: Garrett Gomez Trainer: Jeff Bonde

Sway Away has 5 career starts and only one win. He finished 4th in the Arkansas and 6th in the Rebel Stakes before that, both at Oaklawn. Despite that I think he is a nice dark horse pick in the Preakness. In the Arkansas Derby, he had a clear lead in midstretch but jockey Pat Valenzuela rushed him and he tired down the stretch. Expect Gomez to be more patient, and conserve the horse’s strength. I like him to pull off the upset.

Here are my predictions for the race. Sway Away wins, Dance City places, and Animal Kingdom will finish 3rd. I would box Animal Kingdom, Sway Away Dance City, and Astrology for both the exacta and trifecta.