To begin with, there were concerns Bob Baffert would pull his two horses out of Saturday’s Preakness Stakes. Baffert is the Hall of Fame trainer and marquee man of the sport. On Sunday, the story broke that Medina Spirit might be disqualified as the Kentucky Derby winner. Cause by a failed drug test. Baffert remains under fire entering this week’s Preakness. He denies any wrongdoing and defiantly entered both Medina Spirit and Concert Tour. Of course, Baffert’s dynamic duo is the top two favorites with the 2021 Preakness Stakes Odds. Horse handicappers are scouring for potential alternatives.
2021 Preakness Stakes
| Date and Time: | Saturday, May 15, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland |
| TV Coverage: | NBC |
2021 Preakness Stakes Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Medina Spirit | 9/5 |
| Concert Tour | 5/2 |
| Midnight Bourbon | 5/1 |
| Crowded Trade | 10/1 |
| Rombauer | 12/1 |
| Unbridled Honor | 15/1 |
| Risk Taking | 15/1 |
| Keep Me in Mind | 15/1 |
| France Go De Ina | 20/1 |
| Ram | 30/1 |
2021 Preakness Stakes SBG Odds Overview
Medina Spirit and Concert Tour bring something that the rest of the field lacks. Namely, Bob Baffert as the trainer. Baffert-trained horses are perpetually marked up for their offshore betting prices. Hence, Baffert’s name is the biggest in the horse racing game. But Midnight Bourbon is quietly lurking is a quality alternative. So too, are Crowded Trade and Rombauer getting hard looks.
Medina Spirit 9/5
Bob Baffert and the Maryland Jockey Club reached an agreement for extensive testing of Medina Spirit. As a result, Baffert will enter the Kentucky Derby winner. Assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes says Medina Spirit shows high energy and is looking great in exercises this week.
Additionally, gamblers love that John Velazquez gets the mount for the Preakness. The veteran jockey is being overlooked in all the noise. Velazquez is as good as any jockey in the sport. And he knows all of the tricks of the trade. On the whole, Medina Spirit was a surprise winner at the Kentucky Derby. His upset win feeds into conspiracy theories that Baffert cheated.
Concert Tour 5/2
Bob Baffert trained Concert Tour gained attention for Grade 2 wins at the San Vicente and the Rebel. But his fade at the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby cost him a shot at the Kentucky Derby. Owners Gary and Mary West opted out of the Run for the Roses because of that run. But Concert Tour is well rested with an impressive body of work.
Midnight Bourbon 5/1
Trainer Steve Asmussen has two careers Preakness Stakes wins. Although Midnight Bourbon was 6th at the Kentucky Derby, his resume is quite impressive. He was 2nd at the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby and winner of the Grade 3 Lecomte.
Crowded Trade 10/1
Chad Brown-trained Crowded Trade is another compelling choice. The last time out was April 3 at the Grade 2 Wood Memorial, where he finished 3rd. Crowded trade was 2nd at the Grade 3 Gotham. On the whole, he has only three career starts. Thus, this horse is well-rested with a quality body of work.
2021 Preakness Stakes SBG Odds Free Picks
On this occasion, we get a quality field to handicap with the 2021 Preakness Stakes Odds. Baffert’s Kentucky Derby-winning horses have five wins in six Preakness starts. Regardless of what anyone thinks of Baffert, he wins. But his reputation and record mean a full retail price on any horse he enters.