Big Brown and Preakness Stakes Top Contenders

[Shame About Ray]

After Big Brown’s dominating victory in the 2008 Kentucky Derby, he now has all of the pressure and expectations placed firmly on his 3-year-old haunches. While “The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans” may not have quite the celebrity cache of the julep-soaked Kentucky Derby, it has always proven to be every bit as dramatic as the first leg of the Triple Crown races.

The Second Leg
So, before you pick your winner at the Bodog Racebook, in no particular order, here’s a look at some of the top contenders for the 2008 Preakness Stakes…

Preakness Stakes Contenders

Big Brown
Trainer: Richard Dutrow Jr.
The least experienced horse in this year’s Derby got an early lead and didn’t look back. After that dominating performance, lots of people are predicting that Big Brown will be the next Triple Crown winner. One thing is for certain this year: He’s the only horse with a chance.

Yankee Bravo
Trainer: Patrick Gallagher
This 3-year-old colt won the California Derby in January, but could not compete in the Kentucky Derby due to insufficient graded stakes earnings. He was pulled back and has been focusing on the Preakness Stakes.

Continued at BodogLife.com...

[Buzz B Berkeley]

Here's the entire field for the Preakness Stakes in post position order:

PP Horse Odds Jockey Trainer

1) Macho Again 20-1 Julien Leparoux; Dallas Stewart
2) Tres Borrachos 30-1 Tyler Baze; Beau Greely
3) Icabad Crane 30-1 Jeremy Rose; Graham Motion
4) Yankee Bravo 15-1 Alex Solis; Paddy Gallagher
5) Behindatthebar 10-1 David Flores; Todd Pletcher
6) Racecar Rhapsody 30-1 Robby Albarado; Ken McPeek
7) Big Brown 1-2 Kent Desormeaux; Rick Dutrow Jr.
8) Kentucky Bear 15-1 Jamie Theriot; Reade Baker
9) Stevil 30-1 John Velazquez; Nick Zito
10) Riley Tucker 30-1 Edgar Prado; Bill Mott
11) Giant Moon 30-1 Ramon Dominguez; Richard Schosberg
12) Gayego 8-1 Mike Smith; Paulo Lobo
13) Hey Byrn 20-1 C.C. Lopez; Eddie Plesa

Want the winners? 7 - 8 - 5

Here's my free Preakness Picks.

1. Big Brown
2. Gayego
3. Racecar Rhapsody