Florida bettors and the nation’s horse-racing enthusiasts have been drawn into the sport’s compelling major storyline. It’s all about when Mage takes the stage.
And that’s Saturday, at 6:50 p.m., in the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. That’s when the Kentucky Derby winner, whose career was developed at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, seeks the second leg of racing’s Triple Crown.
Florida horse racing betting fans can access the race through all the usual channels. There is also an excellent lineup of undercard stakes events both to bolster one’s appreciation of the sport and get a sense of how the track plays.
Pimlico is notoriously speed-favoring, a factor that plays to the plight of Mage, a horse who rallies.
Fine level of Preakness competition to obtain Mage
Preakness Stakes trends fell into place perfectly for Mage, who became a 15-1 Kentucky Derby winner on May 6. He is the only Kentucky Derby graduate competing in Saturday’s Preakness, causing his betting odds to drop to 8-5 in Monday’s draw.
Derby runner-up Two Phil’s was not entered in the Preakness, nor was third-place Angel of Empire. Forte, who challenged Mage in the memorable Florida Derby showdown, is still sidelined due to a bruise that ruled him out of the Derby.
Now, it’s Mage against seven others in a race he should, by all rights, win.
Nothing is guaranteed in horse racing, of course, except for the expectation that Mage will prevail against a smaller field.
Make sure you monitor Mage’ s probabilities
Odds won’t be official until post time, according to pari-mutuel regulations. However, it’s safe to assume that Mage’s value could decrease if the price goes significantly lower than it currently is. He’s approaching what I refer to as TFN territory (Thanks for Nothing) in the betting market. Gamblers may be tempted to overlook the win bet and instead focus on exotic bets if his odds continue to decrease.
Merged emotions to obtain bettors, supporters over Stand out point scratch
Because Forte was placed on a veterinary watch list after the Derby, he wasn’t allowed to participate in the Preakness, as per the rules. This came as a surprise to many, as the anticipated rematch between Forte and Mage was expected after the Derby, although there was no real chance of it happening. The current understanding is that Forte should be fine and will compete in the June 10 Belmont Stakes. He will be ridden by Irad Ortiz, the talented jockey who rode him in the Florida Derby and won the Gulfstream Park meet riding title. If the postponed rematch does take place, it will be even more significant than the one anticipated for the Preakness. So, Sunshine State bettors, what does this mean? It may be an omen of a potential Triple Crown sweep, as evidenced by Forte’s late surge to overtake Mage in the final 50 yards of the Florida Derby. Ortiz delivered an exceptional ride, patiently positioning Forte on the outside and executing a well-timed stretch run to catch Mage just before the finish line. However, for the Mage-Forte debate to matter next week, Mage needs to perform well today.
Mage appears strong inside Tuesday exercise
He galloped 1 1/2 miles at Pimlico on Tuesday. According to the Daily Racing Form, he covered 3 furlongs in just over 41 seconds, an impressive pace for the distance he was traveling. Mage was one of four Preakness horses to train at Pimlico on Tuesday. National Treasure, First Mission and Blazing Sevens also galloped. The rest of the field will be training throughout the week.
Handicapping Mage’ s possibilities in the Preakness Stakes
Here’s a glance at Mage’s prospects within the Preakness.
Mage drew 3 of the post within a field regarding eight
He might be challenged early by National Treasure on the rail and Coffeewithchris to his immediate outside. The challenge for him at this 1 3/16-mile distance is that there is less room to work with compared to the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby. Additionally, there may be less speed to chase down. Mage bettors would prefer him to be positioned mid-pack early, not as far back as he was in the Kentucky Derby.
Initially Mission is definitely the second alternative at 5-2
This is a good, strong horse who captured the Lexington Stakes with a definitive burst of speed. He may have the early position advantage over Mage heading for home. One thing that hasn’t been discussed much is that Mage won the Derby and First Mission won a minor Derby preparation. There may be an over-reaction to First Mission’s victory, but at least this perspective keeps Mage’s odds a little higher for his bettors. On paper, he’s one of the three best in here and breaks from the outside 8 post.
Bob Baffert is back, together with National Prize, 4-1
The Hall of Fame trainer would become the first to nab ten Preakness victories. National Treasure is certainly not the best horse trained by the conditioner who led the past two Triple Crown winners in American Pharoah (2015) and Justify (2018).
“But don’t let that fool you,” Johnny Avello, the director of race and sportsbook operations for DraftKings, told PlayFL this week. “This horse was injured and has been coming back. If Baffert brings him to the Preakness from Florida, that’s saying something.”
Avello’s company launched the racing app DK Horse in 13 states, including Florida, in March. Bettors can download the app, watch races, view exacta prices, and place wagers, among other features of the app.
Other Preakness horses
Red Route One, 10-1, is an entertaining late runner who, if he raced in Florida, would fall behind as far as Georgia before making a mad late run. This race’s style doesn’t suit him, but he’s entered nonetheless. His chances rise if the track becomes wet.
Accomplish, 15-1, has a similar running style. He rallied from nowhere to steal a minor stakes in Baltimore. Owners are taking a shot that he found something.
Blazing Sevens was a good third in the Blue Grass Stakes and makes sense to hit the board here at 6-1.
Coffeewithchris has peaked at being in the money for low-level stakes races in Baltimore. He’s a candidate to take the early lead and go as far as he can. He’s 20-1.
Keepinmind is 50-1 because he would be chasing this field. He wasn’t in the top tier at the San Felipe Stakes, a Derby prep, in March.
Good luck with your Preakness bets.
Bettors will eventually know if Mage will dominate the horse-racing media market for three days.
Sawzag Bontempo is often a multiple nationwide award-winning boxing commentator in addition to writer. He or she writes NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE betting content for the Click of Ocean City, iGaming Player among others. For PlayFL, he will concentrate on the world of Lakewood ranch horse auto racing.
