Derby Winner Nyquist Taking Heavy Action in Preakness Stakes Betting
It should come as no surprise that the undefeated Nyquist is the heavy favorite for the 141st running of the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes (G1) coming up on Saturday, May 21 at Pimlico in Baltimore, Md.
The Kentucky Derby (G1) champ is at Preakness Stakes betting odds of 5-7 at online sportsbook Bodog, and a victory would send the colt off to New York for a bid at becoming just the 13th Triple Crown winner.
American Pharoah became the 12th and was the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years in 2015, Affirmed the last to do so in 1978.
The betting favorites have fared well in the Preakness in recent years, with both California Chrome and American Pharoah winning at short prices in the last two years. Four of the last eight betting favorites have won the second jewel of the Triple Crown.
Over the past 27 years, 20 of the Preakness winners were sent off at betting odds of 7-2 or less,
Exaggerator made a good late run to finish second in the Kentucky Derby at odds of 5-1 and is the second choice on the Preakness Stakes odds at Bodog at 9-2.
The colt won the Santa Anita Derby (G1) in his previous outing and has now landed in the exacta in seven of his 10 career starts with earnings of $2,071,120. However, contenders coming from far off the pace have not fared well in recent years in the Preakness.
Gun Runner ran third in the Kentucky Derby, completing the shortest priced trifecta in the history of the race. The colt is at odds of 14-1 for the Preakness, but his connections have not yet decided if the colt is headed to Baltimore.
The third choice in Preakness wagering is Stradivari, a Todd Pletcher trainee who has won his last two starts by a combined 25 ¾ lengths.
The son of Medaglia d’Oro broke his maiden in his second career start by 11 ¼ lengths, and then beat first level allowance company at Keeneland by 14 ½ lengths in fast time and will be making his stakes debut in the Preakness.
Next in the wagering are four runners coming out of the Derby whose connections have not confirmed they will race—Suddenbreakingnews (14-1). Destin (16-1), Mor Spirit (16-1) and Creator (16-1).
Even if several of those foes do attempt to turn the table on Nyquist, the Derby winner is going to remain the heavy favorite for the race, and will end up going off at less than even money to keep his Triple Crown bid alive.
Handicapper Michael Dempsey provides his full card analysis for Preakness Stakes Day at turfnsport.com. Kentucky Derby Odds readers can use the coupon code “sport” for 20% off reports.