The 2011 Preakness Stakes will take place on Saturday at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The post time is scheduled for 6:19 p.m. on NBC, at which point 14 horses will vie for the second leg of the Triple Crown. Most people are picking Animal Kingdom, the winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby, to also win the Preakness. However, with 2-1 odds at last glance, the payoff isn't great for gamblers.
Because of this, other horses should be considered. While he is also one of the favorites, Dialed In might be a better play, despite his struggles in the Kentucky Derby. Matt Gardner of SB Nation's And Down The Stretch They Comebelieves the Preakness suits Dialed In's strength better.
Dialed In should find things a bit more to his liking at Pimlico than at Churchill. A clean break is essential, as is more speed on the front end to soften things up in the final quarter mile. Dialed In's 9/2 morning line odds are decent, but I'd really like to see 5/1 or better.
As for a longshot pick, Gardner likes Norman Asbjornson (30/1) and Mr. Commons (20/1) to possibly make some noise.