The 2009 Preakness Predictions Experts at internet racebook Bodog.com has posted head to head match up odds for Friesan Fire vs Mine That Bird. The oddsmakers have made the favorite Friesan Fire at –190 odds with the 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird listed at +155 odds. Trained by Larry Jones, Friesan Fire will be ridden by jockey Gabriel Saez from the 5th post position.
“Friesan Fire flopped after being bumped and squeezed as the lukewarm 7-2 favorite in the Kentucky Derby,” stated Horse Racing Predictions Expert Ron Rippey in his 2009 Preakness Predictions article on NJ.com. “But his previous three consecutive victories, including a 7 1/2-length triumph in the slop, and a blazing 58.2 workout for five furlongs over the Pimlico strip where the Preakness will leave him in the hunt. Like Take the Points, Friesan Fire owns early speed and a distance-loving pedigree, considered important at Pimlico which has tighter turns than Churchill Downs.”
The oddsmakers at Bodog.com have Friesan Fire listed at 8 to 1 odds to win the 2009 Preakness Stakes race outright. Rippey went on to say: “He doesn't need the lead which would be a costly mistake against Rachel Alexandra and his 42 1/2-length loss in the Derby may be deceiving since he had a tough journey, suffered minor leg cuts and was eased up by jockey Gabreil Saez. Trainer Larry Jones said Freisan Fire's leg injuries healed quickly due to the use of Eclipse, a cream made for diabetic patients with wounds that are slow to heal.”
Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith will ride Mine That Bird for the first time in the 2009 Preakness Stakes. Smith won the 2005 Kentucky Derby on 50 to 1 long shot Giacomo. The 2009 Kentucky Derby winner trained by Bennie “Chip” Woolley Jr., Mine That Bird will be riding out of the 2nd post position. The oddsmakers at Bodog.com have Mine That Bird listed at 6 to 1 odds to win the race outright.
"I'm very excited to have this opportunity," stated jockey Mike Smith about getting the chance to ride 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine that Bird. "I know some people think it was kind of a fluke that he won, but when you look at his past performances he's never really run a bad race. I think with the combination of taking him way back and the wet track, it really worked. He's not a big horse and I think … not getting him involved in the early pace and not matching strides early really helped him. He obviously has a good turn of foot."
Bodog.com has posted their 2009 Preakness Predictions Odds on the Friesan Fire vs Mine That Bird Head to Head Match Up:
Friesan Fire: -190
Mine That Bird: +155
