2008 Preakness Predictions and Picks

Jarrod Horak - May 16th, 2008 .

Two weeks ago, the Kentucky Derby appeared wide open. Big Brown had seasoning questions and history to overcome, and he passed that test with flying colors to say the least. The second jewel of the Triple Crown series is upon us, let’s see if we can find any value with my 2008 Preakness predictions and picks.

NUMBER 12 GAYEGO (8-1) owns a small upset chance. He was very consistent in SoCal, then shipped Midwest and nabbed the Arkansas Derby in his first conventional dirt start. He never had a chance after much early trouble in the Kentucky Derby. The late Preakness entrant projects a free and clear stalking trip, and if Big Brown does not run his race, he will be in the weeds waiting to pounce. Distance is no doubt a question.

Number 7 Big Brown (1-2) has yet to be tested in four facile tallies, including an effortless Kentucky Derby triumph from the 20-hole. I can envision a regression two weeks after a career top, but he owns the figs to get the job done even with a bounce. Undefeated early/pressing type has no weaknesses, especially versus many overmatched foes in Baltimore.

If you’re still looking for a place to bet on the race we suggest signing up at Bodog or Bookmaker . You cant go wrong with either of these two.

Number 3 Icabad Crane (30-1) is an interesting underneath player at nice odds. He is 3-3 on regular dirt and won the Tesio here last time. Rose/Motion do fine work together, and the local hero can hang with many of these from a numbers standpoint.

Number 5 Behindatthebar (10-1) has done all of his damage on synthetic ground, and his lone dirt start was a disappointing 5th in NoCal. Grade 2 winner has been training at Belmont Park, and Flores strings along. Pletcher has a live contender if he handles conventional dirt.

Number 8 Kentucky Bear (15-1) has raw talent but has been thrown to the wolves since his impressive winning flat mile debut at Gulfstream. He can do some damage later this year if allowed to develop, and he appears capable of landing at least a share in this spot.

Number 11 Giant Moon (30-1) owns decent speed and has been training well for this. NY-bred showed quality after reeling off four straight to kick off his career, but he has struggled since moving to the graded ranks. Dominguez rides him well, and he looms a pace factor at the very least.

Number 1 Macho Again (20-1) has won his last two conventional dirt starts and is clearly on the upswing, but he has done all of his damage versus lesser around one-turn.

Number 10 Riley Tucker (30-1) has hit the board in six of seven, but he is still eligible for an entry level spot. This race is wide open underneath, and he is one of the legit tri/super contenders under local legend Edgar Prado.

Number 13 Hey Byrn (20-1) was dusted by Big Brown in the Florida Derby, and he returned to win a slow renewal of the Holy Bull. His pace figs are below par, and he figures to struggle from the outside post.

Number 4 Yankee Bravo (15-1) owns no early speed and looks better on turf/synthetic. He will be passing tired foes.

Number 6 Racecar Rhapsody (30-1) looks a bit like Yankee Bravo, and he will be rallying late as well.

Number 2 Tres Borrachos (30-1) has shown speed and held the show in his last two graded starts. He might lose his bearings when Big Brown rolls on by him on the backstretch.

Number 9 Stevil (30-1) has lost six straight since his winning bow at Big Sandy last October. Nick Zito is a fixture in the Preakness, and this one will try to grind it out under Johnny V.

THE PLAY: $10 to win on Gayego, $10 Exacta Gayego over Big Brown, $30 Exacta Big Brown over Icabad Crane.

By Jarrod Horak Racingonthenet.com . Bet on the big race at Bodog. Read our review of Bodog here . For further handicapping analysis check out this post at horseracinginsider.com

 

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3 comments | Add One

1. 1 Preakness Stakes Betting Favorites: Who Can Beat Big Brown - 05/16/2008 at 11:33 pm

    

   [...] sure to check out Jarrod’s complete Preakness Predictions and Picks . Check out this post at the National Post for further analysis of Big Browns odds [...]

    

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2. 2 KC - 05/17/2008 at 12:31 am

    

   For those who dont know already Behindatthebar has been scratched.

    

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3. 3 Big Brown goes for Derby-Preakness double - 05/17/2008 at 5:12 am

    

   [...] 133rd Preakness Stakes has arrived, and Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown looks like a short priced winner on paper. [...]

    

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