My favorite part of the Triple Crown season is that I always learn a lot about the Sport, because it isn't something I (like most people I assume) pay much attention to throughout the rest of the year. This 2011 Triple Crown season, and the 2011 Preakness Stakes in particular is no exception. Today's lesson is on the term "New Shooter."
New Shooter refers to a horse that has entered one of the final two legs of the Triple Crown without having run in the Kentucky Derby. If you're a betting man, it is not smart to side with those New Shooters, according to the Daily Racing Form.
Only three horses have won the Preakness without having run in the Kentucky Derby since 1983, with Rachel Alexandria being the most recent in 2009. That means that horses like Animal Kingdom, Nehro, even the disappointing Dialed In are smarter choices than the newcomers would be.
Here are the the most recent odds for the Preakness, from SB Nation.
Animal Kingdom 5-2
Nehro 5-1
Dialed In 6-1
Mucho Macho Man 6-1
Saratoga Red * 10-1
Shackleford 12-1
Astrology 15-1
Dance City 15-1
Midnight Interlude 15-1
Flashpoint 20-1
Mr. Commons 20-1
King Congie 20-1
Sway Away 20-1
Norman Asbjornson 30-1
Concealed Identity 30-1
Isn't He Perfect * 50-1