2008 Preakness Stakes Wagering Preview

[Shame About Ray]

Preakness Wagering - Dozen Challengers Try to Upset Big Brown

Big Brown was installed as the heavy sports betting odds-on early favorite in the 133rd Preakness Stakes that attracted a surprising number of challengers -- 12.

The last 13-horse fields came during the past decade and both winners of the Kentucky Derby prevailed: War Emblem in ’02 and Charismatic in ’99.

Ironically, they posted slower speed figures than in Louisville. Four other Derby champs stepped up in Baltimore and their speed figures climbed.

Big Brown, 1-2, will break from post 7, which has produced five winners in the past 19 years. He’s 13 slots closer toward the rail than he was in the Derby. The son of Boundary and Gayego are the only two from this year’s online betting event favorite Run for the Roses.

It’s the sixth time since Derby horses began running in the Preakness 90 years ago that two starters at Churchill Downs raced at Pimlico. The last year was ’80 when Codex beat the Derby-winning filly Genuine Risk by 4 ¾ lengths.
Naturally, undefeated Big Brown holds the upper hand off his impressive Derby triumph. He has taken it easy, jogging over an off track at Churchill Downs several times because of wet weather.

“He’s good,” trainer Rick Dutrow said. “He came out of the race good and he’s been training good.”

Gayego, 8-1, unfortunately will break from post 12. The son of Gilded Time finished 17th in the Derby, but trainer Paulo Lobo pointed out he didn’t overexert himself after a sluggish start from the 19th post. He was steadied in traffic during the first quarter-mile and a bit rank behind Big Brown while very wide on the first turn.

“He came back very well,” Lobo said. “He’s been eating everything. He’s feeling happy. He’s an extremely good shipper.” Gayego traveled from California to Oaklawn Park where he won the Arkansas Derby on April 12 with a Beyer speed figure of 103. Blinkers should help him concentrate.

With undefeated Big Brown in a class by himself, averaging 107 Beyers in three victories this year, the dozen challengers will be going for runner-up honors.

First, the pretenders have several things in common, but all are in trouble – they’re too slow.
Stevil, 30-1, post 9: Finished fourth in the Blue Grass, has no stakes victories and is slowest of the bunch.

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