| Preakness Stakes 2009: Mine That Bird 11 to 2 Preakness Odds |
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| Written by Matt Foust | |||||||
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Saturday, 16 May 2009
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Preakness Stakes 2009 at online bookmaker Bodog.com have Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird listed at 11 to 2 odds to take the second race of the Triple Crown Series. The three year old gelding had not demonstrated enough in his three races prior to the Run for the Roses to warrant any sort optimism from the odds makers; he certainly shocked them — along with most Count Preakness Stakes 2009 horse racing expert Anthony Stabile of VegasInsider.com among those flabbergasted by Mine That Bird’s Derby victory. “I can honestly say, him crossing the wire first in the Derby was one of the most shocking things I've seen in my 32 plus years on this planet” Stabile said. However, there were those who felt that Bird would be in the race because of jockey Calvin Borel. Preceding the Run for the Roses, Steve Hastings of Point-Spreads.com had this to say: “In the history of Churchill Downs, Calvin Borel is the sixth jockey to win six races on a single race card so if anyone can get it done on a long shot horse it is him. Borel won the Kentucky Derby in 2007 riding Street Sense. [I would] suggest bettors grab the +5000 odds on Mine the Bird for a few bucks as a long shot to make history.” Unfortunately for Mine That Bird and his trainer, Chip Woolley, Jr., Borel will be riding Rachel Alexandra this afternoon. The Cajun jockey has had the mount on Alexandra’s last five races, all wins. Woolley understood Borel’s decision and was not blindsided by it. “This is a business, and Calvin has to watch out for himself,” Woolley said. “It was his choice and I respect his choice. It was a hard choice for him to make and I appreciate the fact that he and his agent were really upfront with us from Day One, as soon as they knew the prospect was out there (to ride Rachel Alexandra). They came and told us and gave us the opportunity to get the best rider we could.” Replacing Borel will be veteran rider Mike Smith. Smith was aboard 50 to 1 Giacomo when the horse won the 2005 Kentucky Derby. He will receive the same kind of instructions from Woolley that Borel did in order to take advantage of Bird’s pace stalking ability. “If he dropped back at Sunland, he’d have won them all,” said Woolley. “That’s the problem. He doesn’t need to be up there [in front early]. He needs to drop back. That’s the only way to win races like these with him. He’s not as versatile as his form makes him look like he is.” Given Mine That Bird’s style, Woolley feels that the number two post draw is almost ideal. “We’ve got speed on both sides of us; speed on the inside and outside of us,” Woolley said. “That should clear away from us and leave us in a nice spot to coast down the front side and into the backstretch. It’s a good spot.” Check out Mine That Bird’s Preakness Stakes run at 4:30pm ET today at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race will be broadcast live on NBC. Bodog.com Preakness Stakes 2009: Mine That Bird 11 to 2 Preakness Odds Rachel Alexandra 8/5 Visit Bodog.com today to get down on your favorite to win the Preakness Stakes 2009. Get a $50 Casino Chip Bonus when you bet on the Preakness.                        |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 06 November 2009 ) | |||||||
