National Treasure to keep Mage from Triple Crown at Preakness Stakes

The 2023 Preakness Stakes will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.

The race is a 1 3/16 mile grade 1 stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds. The winner of the Preakness Stakes will earn 100 points toward qualifying for the 2023 Belmont Stakes.

Before placing your bets on the Preakness check out our top-rated horse racing betting sites. You can double your initial bankroll with tons of sign-up bonuses, deposit bonuses, rebates, or even referral incentives.

Preakness Stakes Horses and Odds

1 National Treasure (Bob Baffert/ John Velazquez) – 4-1

2 Chase the Chaos (Ed Moger, Jr./ Sheldon Russell) – 50-1

3 Mage (Gustavo Delgado/Javier Castellano) – 8-5

4 Coffeewithchris (John Salzman, Jr. /Jaime Rodriguez) – 20-1

5 Red Route One (Steve Asmussen/ Joel Rosario) – 10-1

6 Perform (Shug McGaughey/ Feargal Lynch) – 15-1

7 Blazing Sevens (Chad Brown/ Irad Ortiz, Jr.) – 6-1

8 First Mission (Brad Cox/ Luis Saez) – 5-2

Let’s take a look at some of the places you can bet on the Preakness at.

HorseBetOnline ReviewBovadaBetUS Review
Mage+145+140+125
First Mission+275+250+250
National Treasure+500+450+450
Blazing Sevens+750+900+800
Perform+1600+1600+1800
Red Route One+1600+1200+2000
Coffeewithchris+4000+2500+5000
Chase the Chaos+5000+3300+6600

It’s important to note that the Preakness Stakes has a higher success rate for favorites compared to the other Triple Crown races. The betting favorites win around half of the time in the Preakness.

Keep reading to discover the leading contenders for the 2023 Preakness and uncover which horses have the greatest potential to make a significant impact in the second jewel of the Triple Crown.

Favorites

Mage

Mage, initially considered a long shot in the Kentucky Derby, has emerged as a favorite to win the Triple Crown after an impressive victory at Churchill Downs.

This success positions him as the frontrunner in the upcoming Preakness Stakes, where a strong start will be crucial. With his demonstrated stamina and undeniable talent, Mage has the potential to make a significant impact in Baltimore.

Gustavo Delgado is renowned for his expertise in developing stamina in horses. Although he has only entered one horse in the Preakness Stakes previously, Bodexpress in 2019, that horse became a fan favorite despite unseating its rider at the start of the race.

However, it’s important to note that Bodexpress was a long-shot maiden, whereas Mage, as a Kentucky Derby winner, is considered a much stronger and more promising contender.

Javier Castellano, the rider who guided the Kentucky Derby winner to victory, is set to return for the 2023 Preakness Stakes. As a Hall of Fame jockey, Castellano has excelled on numerous prestigious stages, including triumphing twice in the Preakness Stakes.

This demonstrates his proficiency in navigating the 1 3/16-mile distance at Pimlico Race Course, and his experience and skill should enable him to bring out the best in Mage.

I would not recommend betting on Mage to win the Preakness despite the short odds price of +140 at Bovada.

MageTO WIN 2023 Preakness Stakes
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+140
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First Mission

Among the promising new shooters, First Mission stands out as the most captivating contender with a strong possibility of emerging as the Preakness winner.

While venturing into Grade 1 competition for the first time, he left a notable impression in the Lexington (G3) at Keeneland, establishing himself as a formidable competitor.

With his tactical speed, he is well-positioned to secure a favorable trip, and the advantageous outside gate should ensure a clear path to navigate. Based on Preakness Stakes odds, First Mission is expected to be the second choice, further highlighting his prospects for success.

Brad Cox, a highly acclaimed trainer, has been the recipient of two out of the last three Eclipse Awards for an outstanding trainer. He has achieved numerous victories in some of the most prestigious races across the country.

Although the Preakness Stakes has eluded him so far, he did secure a triumph in the Belmont two years ago with Essential Quality, a horse owned and bred by Godolphin, who also has First Mission in the race.

Cox’s most notable Preakness Stakes result came in 2019 when Owendale finished third behind War of Will.

Luis Saez is recognized for his assertive riding style, and his prominence in major horse races has risen significantly in recent years.

While he has yet to claim victory in the Preakness Stakes, he achieved a second-place finish with Bravazo in 2018, trailing behind Justify.

Saez has a proven track record with Brad Cox, having been in the saddle when Essential Quality won the Belmont in 2021 and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in 2020.

This makes them a highly successful and established partnership. I would recommend betting on First Mission at +450 odds at Bovada.Ā 

First MissionTO WIN 2023 Preakness Stakes
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+250
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National Treasure

National Treasure competed in several Kentucky Derby prep races on the west coast under the guidance of trainers Bob Baffert and Tim Yakteen.

Initially, the horse was transferred to the Yakteen barn for eligibility considerations related to the Derby. However, following a fourth-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby, National Treasure returned to the care of Bob Baffert.

National Treasure has returned to the stable of renowned trainer Bob Baffert for the Preakness Stakes. While Baffert was rendered ineligible by Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, he can still participate at tracks not owned by Churchill Downs.

With seven victories in the second leg of the Triple Crown, Baffert shares the record for the most wins, showcasing his exceptional ability to condition Preakness winners.

However, there is a slight concern regarding Baffert’s recent performance when reverting to blinkers (2 wins out of the last 25 attempts), as National Treasure will be making that equipment change in the Preakness.

National Treasure’s regular rider is an esteemed Hall of Fame jockey. He has guided the colt in races such as the Santa Anita Derby.

He has impressive record that includes four Kentucky Derby wins and two Belmont Stakes victories. Similarly, he has triumphed in many of the most prestigious races in the country.

Although he has yet to secure a Preakness victory, his Preakness Stakes history cannot be considered unsuccessful, having achieved second place three times.

National TreasureTO WIN 2023 Preakness Stakes
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+450
Bet now

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Longshots

Coffeewithchris

Born and bred in Maryland, this talented colt by Ride On Curlin showcased his potential by securing his maiden victory at Pimlico nearly a year ago, demonstrating his proficiency in handling different track conditions.

With his notable early speed, he possesses a valuable asset that can give him an advantage in races. However, there remain uncertainties regarding his class and stamina.

While he has achieved success as a two-time stakes winner at Laurel, his performance in the Tesio left much to be desired, as he was significantly outperformed by Perform.

I would throw a small sprinkle on Coffeewithchris just for fun.

CoffeewithchrisTO WIN 2023 Preakness Stakes
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+2500
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Chase the Chaos

Initially regarded as a promising contender for the 2023 Preakness Stakes, he caught attention with a victory in the El Camino Real at Golden Gate Fieldsā€”a race that served as the launching pad for Rombauer’s triumphant Preakness campaign in 2021.

However, his performance has since plateaued, and his recent showing in the California Derby resulted in an underwhelming eighth-place finish against a notably less competitive field.

I would not recommend betting on Chase the Chaos to win the Preakness.

Chase the ChaosTO WIN 2023 Preakness Stakes
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+3300
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The Pick

The best bet for the Preakness is National Treasure at +450 odds. Enjoy the race!

National TreasureTO WIN 2023 Preakness Stakes
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+450
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Tony Reyes

Tony is an avid sports fan and a pro sports journalist who dedicates most of his free time to watching the latest matches and games on TV. When he's not indulging in sports-related activities or seeing his friends, Tony finds joy in outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and playing basketball. In addition to being a sports expert, Tony has extensive knowledge in finances and accounting. He leverages this expertise to provide insightful betting analysis for women's basketball, identifying value based on overlooked factors.