Horse racing news and analysis from Saratoga, Santa Anita and the 2023 Breeders' Cup.

Preakness 2018 Post Positions, Odds & WizCapper’s Final Take

Preakness Horses

If the 143rd running of the Preakness Stakes was going to be just another race, just another day in the life of a handicapper, then Justify would be the target not the hero that casual fans will be pulling for when the horses are loaded into the starting gate for race two of the three-race test.

And given the fact that he’s already won the first jewel in the Triple Crown when he won the Kentucky Derby while beating three of the other seven he’ll face on Saturday, he’ll be the odds-on favorite to beat those three plus the other four who show up to the track.

So as a professional handicapper (i.e., gambler) who’s always looking to beat the favorite, it’s hard to see how Justify gets beat.

Post positions were drawn on Wednesday with no real surprises. Bolt d’Oro who is without question not what he was billed to be as a two-year-old will sit this one out.

Post Horse Trainer/Jockey Odds Comments
1. Quip Brisset/Geroux 12-1 Off-track will help his cause as much as it will Justify and has the best chance of completing the exacta tickets. Note, I said “complete” not “top”
2. Lone Sailor Amoss/Ortiz Jr. 15-1 His first and only win was an 11 length romp in the slop at the Spa so he moves up over the wet Pimlico surface. Toss the Derby effort because of the crowded field and he comes rolling to hit the board.
3. Sporting Chance Lukas/Contreras 30-1 One of two for “coach” Lukas who won this race in 2013 with Oxbow. But this guy is no Oxbow and will have distance concerns as he tries to keep the pace honest for his stablemate.
4. Diamond King Servis/Castellano 30-1 Local talent gets new rider and gives connections a chance to say they danced in the Preakness. But holds a very low dance card number with little shot at going home as the leading man.
5. Good Magic Brown/JL Ortiz 3-1 Liked him in the Derby but like him more over a fast track. Obviously must consider his chances in the exotics but he barely held on for 2nd in Louisville. Note his sire won this in a head-bob over Street Sense on a fast track.
6. Tenfold Asmussen/Santana 20-1 Another son of Curlin. Exits the Arkansas Derby won by Magnum Moon who beat one horse home in the Derby. Lightly raced and could be setting things up for a shot at the third leg of Triple Crown on June 6 at Belmont.
7. Justify Baffert/Smith 1-2 Relishes the slop and should have every chance to become Baffert’s second Triple Crown winner in four years after today. Has all the right moves to get position early and control the race.
8. Bravazo Lukas/Saez 20-1 Ran much better than expected in Kentucky two weeks ago which may have been the result of the rain. He’ll get another chance to come from off the pace against a much smaller field and could complete deep tickets.

Preakness Picks

7 – 5 – 8 – 2

Free Preakness Past Performances

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