in Triple Crown Betting Trends

When unbeaten Barbaro takes the track at Pimlico for the second leg of the Triple-Crown on Saturday, he'll do battle with two Derby contenders andsix new faces. The small field ofnine is the smallest since 2000 when Red Bullet upset Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, eliminating post position concerns giving all horses a fair shake at running down the Triple-Crown hopeful Barbaro.

A horse thatfigures tobe the biggest beneficiary of the small field will be Brother Derek, wholeft from post No. 18 in the Derby, and was forced to run wide most of the race to finish in a dead heat for fourth with Sweetnorthernsaint. Prior to the Derby, Brother Derek tookthe San Rafael, the Santa Catalina and the Santa Anita Derby with ease. Brother Derek will break from post 5 and will likely be made the second betting choice behind Barabaro.

Barbaro will start along side from post 6 as the morning line favorite at even money. The big dark brown bay colt had previously taken the Tropical Park Derby, the Holy Bull and the Florida Derby prior to crushing the Derby field,making hima perfect 6-for-6 heading into the 1 3/16th-mile Preakness. As well, with the Derby victory Barbaro takes over as this year'stop money maker with$2,203,200 earned.

Sweetnorthernsaint is the other Derby runner who will compete in the Preakness, who finished in a dead heat for fourth. Sweetnorthersaint disappointed his backers who bet him down to be the favorite at post time. He'll break from the 7 hole after being installed 4-1 in the morning line.  New faces that will compete in this year's Preakness include: Greeley's Legacy (20-1), Like Now (12-1), Hemingway's Key (30-1), Platinum Couple (50-1), Bernardini (8-1) andDiabolical (30-1).