in Triple Crown Betting Trends

You call this a field?

Nine horses are entered for Saturday’s Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, a sharp decline from the 20-horse field we saw two weeks ago at the Kentucky Derby. Only three horses are making the trip after competing at Churchill Downs: Triple Crown, but he’s by no means a lock. Here’s a look at the nine horses in the Preakness field, in order of post position.

1. Like Now: Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin gave serious thought to entering Like Now in the Derby, but passed in order to capitalize on the anticipated smaller field at the Preakness. McLaughlin chose the inside position in the hope that the frontrunning bay gelding would beat everyone around the first turn and hang on from there. There is, however, a lot of speed in this race.

2. Platinum Couple: The longest shot in the field, and likely terribly overmatched after just two minor New York wins in nine career starts. Platinum Couple finished fifth at the Apr. 8 Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct, more than 10 lengths behind winner Bob and John.

3. Hemingway’s Key: Trainer Nick Zito was shut out of the Derby. He insists Hemingway’s Key has the jam to stay with the big boys, despite failing to register a top-three finish in four races this year. Horseplayers will find it difficult to take Zito’s word for it, although he’s racked up his share of upsets in the past. Zito’s horse will be off blinkers for the first time in two races.

4. Greeley’s Legacy: This dark bay was headed for the Sir Barton Stakes before putting in a blazing workout at Belmont on May 14 – five furlongs in :58.69, the fastest of 63 horses that day. That was enough to get trainer George Weaver talking with the horse’s owners about the Preakness. A win is highly unlikely, but the potential payday is well worth the risk.

5. Brother Derek: Horseplayers are lining up to take the longer odds on Brother Derek, who was one of the top contenders to win the Derby before drawing the deadly No. 18 position. Now the proven bay (six wins in nine career starts) is in the middle of the pack, alongside the other two Preakness heavyweights. Brother Derek might find it hard to keep up with Like Now in the early going.

6. Barbaro: The Derby winner is getting at or near even money, which takes all the value out of the impressive dark bay. But with six wins in six career races, who’s to argue? Barbaro remains the most likely to take the Preakness. His excellent post position between Brother Derek and Sweetnorthernsaint gives Barbaro ample opportunity to bide his time before closing on the frontrunners, which is historically the way to win the Preakness.

7. Sweetnorthernsaint: This bay gelding gained enough pre-race support to become the Kentucky Derby favorite, but had to settle for seventh place after a poor start. A much better performance can be expected Saturday – at longer odds than Brother Derek, this may be the best value pick of the field. There is one problem, though: Sweetnorthernsaint isn’t a proven closer, and there is a lot of early speed from Like Now and Diabolical to contend with.

8. Bernardini: The son of A.P. Indy turned some heads at the Withers Stakes on Apr. 29 by beating 3-to-5 favorite Luxembourg. That relatively easy win made it two victories in three career races for the bay colt, but all those races came as a 3-year-old. Bernardini gets the shortest odds outside of the three main Preakness contenders.

9. Diabolical: While Like Now pushes the pace from the inside rail, Diabolical has speed to burn on the outside. He’s been in the top three in all but one of his eight career races; Diabolical also has experience going longer than one mile, enough to threaten the obvious triactors involving Barbaro, Brother Derek and Sweetnorthernsaint.