Bodemeister isn’t the one chasing Triple Crown glory, but he’s the favorite as 11 top horses gather Saturday in the Preakness Stakes.
Preakness Stakes Odds Favor Bodemeister Over Kentucky Derby Winner
Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another is trying to become the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win the Triple Crown, but he’s the second betting choice, according to the Preakness Stakes odds menu at Odds Shark.
Bodemeister is currently 8/5 odds, with I’ll Have Another right behind at 5/2. While it could be another 1-2 finish, they could also be beaten by a pair of 6/1 bets who are primed for solid efforts.
Creative Cause and Went The Day Well are each 6/1 in early Vegas and online racebook betting action.
“(Creative Cause) is flying under the radar and will likely offer us some betting value,” said handicapper Michael Dempsey, after watching Creative Cause close quickly on the lead at Churchill Downs.
Went the Day Well might end up being the best wagering value at Pimlico Saturday.
“His trainer, Graham Motion, has won plenty of races at Pimlico over the years," Dempsey said. "This colt may be the biggest threat to the two top betting choices.”
Cozetti is one of four horses at 33/1 odds, and bettors are watching him closely. He comes from the same barn as last year’s winner, Shackleford. Optimizer, Tiger Walk and Pretension are the other 33/1 longshots.
Daddy Nose Best is the only other Derby runner going to Baltimore. Union Rags is skipping to point towards the Belmont Stakes in New York in three weeks.
The odds of I’ll Have Another winning the Triple Crown were stacked at +1000 at Bovada’s racebook earlier this week.
Current Preakness Stakes odds:
1- Tiger Walk 33/1
2 - Teeth of the Dog 15/1
3 - Pretension 33/1
4 - Zetterholm 22/1
5 - Went the Day Well 6/1
6 - Creative Cause 7/1
7 - Bodemeister 7/4
8 - Daddy Nose Best 14/1
9 - I’ll Have Another 5/2
10 - Optimizer 33/1
11 - Cozetti 33/1
Michael Dempsey provides his full card report for the Preakness Stakes as well as for Belmont Park and Churchill Downs each racing day. Mike’s full card report includes his selections, analysis, fair odds line, and wagering recommendations. Mike’s Best Plays Report is available each weekend, with his strongest Preakness plays and selections including the top stakes races.
