There's obvious winner or favorite in today's Preakness Stakes 2019, but that's part of the intrigue. The top three finishers from the Kentucky Derby 2019 are out of the Preakness and that leaves Bob Baffert-trained Improbable as the favorite as 5-2 odds.
We've got a rundown here of a Preakness 2019 best bet prediction, contenders, post positions and latest odds.
War of Will is also among the contenders, with the No. 1 post and 4-1 odds. The field will include 13 horses, but it's the first time since 1951 that the first four horses to cross the finish line at the Kentucky Derby will not run. Maximum Security was disqualified from its winning position.
Improbable originally finished fifth at the Kentucky Derby but the horse was moved up to fourth place after the disqualification. Derby winner Country House dropped out of the Preakness due to illness, ending 2019 triple crown chances.
See Preakness 2019 post positions, latest odds and a prediction below.
Preakness 2019 Date: Saturday, May 18
Exact Post Time: 6:48 p.m. Eastern Time
TV Channel: NBC
Among Preakness Contenders:
Bodexpress
This horse has never won a race – never. Yet some bettors like the horses' chances. A late entry into the Kentucky Derby, run in sloppy conditions, But the horse is drawing attention in the Preakness, due in part to its Derby experience. Bodexpress finished second at the Florida Derby earlier this year.
Improbable
Jockey Mike Smith is aboard this horse, which finished fourth officially in the Kentucky Derby but was in fifth place before the disqualification of Maximum Security. Improbable is the favorite at the Preakness at 5-2 odds in the field of 13 horses.
War of Will
Trained by Mark Casse, this is the horse interfered with in the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago. Casse thinks the Derby disaster may draw interest today.
Alwaysmining
Has won six consecutive races by a combined 36 ½ lengths.
Owendale
Won last time out and has looked impressive in morning workouts.
2019 Preakness Prediction (from the Associated Press):
"Big Money Mike, as he's now called, takes his turn Saturday aboard Improbable — who'll have his fourth jockey in as many starts. Smith and seven-time Preakness winning trainer Bob Baffert are a lethal combination. Improbable will be bet down big-time, probably going off no better than 3-1, maybe even lower. There won't be any value there.
"He's the safe play.
"But is Improbable the best closer? Probably not. In this race, where plenty of horses are going to expend probably more energy than they should to get near the front early on, the right play is to go with the best finishing kick.
"Bourbon War is that horse.
"He wins over Improbable, Alwaysmining and Market King."
Preakness 2019 Horses, Post Positions, Latest Odds
War of Will
Post: 1
Odds: 4-1
Bourbon War
Post: 2
Odds: 12-1
Warrior's Charge
Post: 3
Odds: 12-1
Improbable
Post: 4
Odds: 5-2
Owendale
Post: 5
Odds: 10-1
Market King
Post: 6
Odds: 30-1
Alwaysmining
Post: 7
Odds: 8-1
Signalman
Post: 8
Odds: 30-1
Bodexpress
Post: 9
Odds: 20-1
Everfast
Post: 10
Odds: 50-1
Laughing Fox
Post: 11
Odds: 20-1
Anothertwistafate
Post: 12
Odds: 6-1
Win Win Win
Post: 13
Odds: 15-1
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