Preakness Stakes 2023 Picks, Odds, and Preview (May 20)

• Second Triple Crown race of the season is staged on Saturday, May 20, 2023
• The ‘Run for the Black-Eyed Susans’ was won in 2022 by Early Voting

The Triple Crown series in the United States continues this weekend, as the Middle Jewel takes place at Pimlico Race Course. Mage will be the horse to beat, as the Gustavo Delgado runner looks to land a historic second Triple Crown win following his success in the Kentucky Derby.

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Schedule and How To Watch

• When: Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 7:00 p.m ET
• Where: Pimlico Race Course, Maryland   
• Distance: 1 3/16 miles
• Grade: Grade 1
• Purse: $1.5 Million
• How To Watch: NBC

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Preakness Stakes 2023 Odds

Horse	Odds
Mage
First Mission
National Treasure
Blazing Sevens
Perform
Red Route One
Coffeewithchris
Chase The Chaos

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Race Preview

All eyes will be on Pimlico this weekend, as the Triple Crown action in the United States continues. The Preakness Stakes has been staged annually since 1873, and it is now run over a distance of 1 3/16 miles. The time record over the current distance is held by the legendary Secretariat, who finished in 1:53 in 1973. Bob Baffert and R. Wyndham Walden are tied for the most race wins as a trainer, while Eddie Arcaro leads the jockey standings with six wins.

Mage undoubtedly comes into the Preakness Stakes as the contender to beat after winning the Kentucky Derby by a length from Two Phil’s. His win in the Derby saw him record an Equibase speed figure of 104, and that is the best of any of the eight contenders lining up at Pimlico. However, the big concern is the quick turnaround, as the Derby was staged just two weeks ago.

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Therefore, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Mage is the only Derby runner taking his chance in the Preakness Stakes. First Mission is undeniably the value play in the betting for trainer Brad Cox. The three-year-old scored an Equibase rating of 103 when winning the G3 Lexington on his previous start, and he has won two from three starts.

The post positions have been set for the 148th running of the Preakness Stakes!#Preakness148 pic.twitter.com/3xmWjJZR1g

— Preakness Stakes (@PreaknessStakes) May 15, 2023

In truth, there are few rivals that look on the same level as First Mission and Mage in the Preakness field. National Treasure is the Bob Baffert runner, but he is without a win in two starts this year. Blazing Sevens will also take money as the ride of Irad Ortiz, but he was well held in both the G2 Fountain of Youth and G1 Blue Grass.

Therefore, if you’re looking for a potential outsider then it may be worth siding with Red Route One. The experienced three-year-old for Steven Asmussen was a winner on his previous start in the Bath House Row Stakes, scoring a speed rating of 102. He was also second in the G2 Rebel Stakes earlier in the season.

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Preakness Stakes 2023 Picks

If bouncing back, Mage could be very difficult to beat this weekend. The draw looks a solid chance toward his chances of victory this weekend, while his late pace is an asset that few others possess. Red Route One looks set to run a big race at a price, while First Mission is our selection to complete the Exacta.

Preakness Stakes Picks:

• Exacta Box: Mage/Red Route One/First Mission