The second leg of the Triple Crown series, the Preakness Stakes, is scheduled for its 136th running this weekend at the legendary Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race, which is the shortest of the three Triple Crown runs at 1 3/16 miles, features a 14 horse field this year, one that includes Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom and third place Derby finisher Mucho Macho Man. The latest Sports Betting Odds have Animal Kingdom listed as a +200 moneyline favorite to win on Saturday while 2011 Preakness Stakes Prop Bets list the colt at +600 odds to win the Triple Crown.
Preakness Stakes – Official Winning Time 
(Over/Under 1:55.15): In regards to the 1:55.15 designated time, the winning run at the Preakness Stakes has been a streaky one. From 1992 to 1994 all three winners finished Over the time, but a new Under streak was established in 1995 with Timber Country's 1:54.45 that lasted until 1998's victorious sprint by Real Quiet. Nineteen-ninety-nine served as the start of a new Over run that lasted through 2004's 1:55.59 winning turn by Smarty Jones. Afleet Alex kicked off an Under run in 2005 that remains intact heading into Saturday's race. The track conditions at Pimlico should be relatively dry for this weekend's race, despite a forecast of rain for today and possibly tomorrow. If Saturday's current projections of 81 degrees and sunshine hold up, the winner should be able to finish Under 1:55.15.
Will Animal Kingdom Win The Triple Crown (Yes +600/No -900): History is working against Animal Kingdom in a big way as only 11 horses have had enough in the tank to pull off the incredible feat, the last being being Affirmed in 1978. The 1930's and 40's produced seven Triple Crown winners, but there was a long dry spell between Citation's 1948 Triple Crown and Secretariat's trifecta in 1973. That gap is starting to pale in comparison to the current one, though, which reached 32 years in 2010. Eventually a colt will end the streak, so a bet on Animal Kingdom at +600 sure sounds better than one at -900, even with No being the more realistic option.
Will the Winning Horse Have Run in the Kentucky Derby (Yes -300/No +200): With Nehro dropping out of the Preakness Stakes yesterday, the number of Derby runners at Pimlico has been reduced to five. Four of those five, Animal Kingdom, Dialed In, Mucho Macho Man, and Shackleford, happen to be the four most favored horses in Saturday's race. Animal Kingdom, despite the short turnaround, should be fresh as the Preakness represents just his sixth career start. Kingdom also had over a full month of rest between his winning runs at the Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes and Kentucky Derby. The other Derby runners have seen a little more action, but they are in Baltimore for a reason and should show well. Yes is the bet here, even at -300 odds.
2011 Preakness Stakes Prop Bets:
136th Preakness Stakes – Winning Time
Over 1:55.15 (-120)
Under 1:55.15 (-120)
Will Animal Kingdom Win The Triple Crown?
Yes (+600)
No (-900)
Will the Winning Horse Have Run In the Kentucky Derby?
Yes -300
No +200
