My 2023 Preakness Stakes Odds, Predictions & Picks

 I have circled my favorite, three legitimate contenders and one live longshot for winning the Preakness Stakes as the second jewel in the 2023 Triple Crown.

My Favorite

As an  8/5 favorite on the morning line odds for the Preakness Stakes, Mage is trying to extend his streak after winning the $3 million Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 6. Trained by Gustavo Delgado, he finished in first or second place in three of four races in his early career. Mage will have jockey Javier Castellano on board, starting out in the No. 3 gate for the Preakness Stakes.

As a son of Good Magic, Mage has the pedigree to win this major graded event. I am at least counting on this colt finishing in the money in the Preakness Stakes

Three Legitimate Contender

First Mission is an obvious contender at 5/2 odds on the morning line. He finished first in the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes on April 22 at Keeneland Race Course. First Mission has placed first or second in competitive races at Fair Grounds and Keeneland during his early career as a three-year-old. Sired by Street Sense, he has raced 1 1/16 miles on dirt in his last two events. Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by jockey Luis Saez out of the No. 8 gate in this race, First Mission has earned the 6.78 rating from Horse Racing Nation.

My second choice is National Treasure. He is a legitimate contender at 4/1 odds for the Preakness Stakes after placing first, second or third in four races as a two-year and three-year colt.  National Treasure finished fourth in the Santa Anita Derby on April 8 in tough competition. However, with Bob Baffert as his trainer and John Velazquez as his jockey, he has two of the breaks going his way at the No. 1 gate for this race.

At 6/1 odds on the morning line, Blazing Sevens is set at gate No. 7 with Irad Ortiz Jr. as his jockey. Also helping out the cause is Chad Brown as his trainer. Blazing Sevens finished  third in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes on April 8 at Keeneland. He has cleared more than a mile on dirt in his last three races. As a Kentucky-bred colt with Good Magic as his father, Blazing Sevens is ready for the Preakness Stakes

One Live Longshot

Red Route One is 10/1 odds on the morning line for the Preakness Stakes as a live longshot. He is starting at the No. 5 gate with Joel Rosario has his jockey. Trained by Chad Brown, the three-year-old colt finished first in the ungraded Bath House Row Stakes at Keeneland as the prep race for the Preakness Stakes. Red Route One went 1 1/8 miles on dirt in his last two races as a three-year-old, which is always a plus in a major stakes event like this one.

Previously posted at Geek Brand Media