| Preakness Stakes Picks: Rachel Alexandra 8 to 5 Preakness Odds |
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| Written by Matt Foust | |||||||
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Saturday, 16 May 2009
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Preakness Stakes Picks at online bookmaker Bodog.com have Kentucky Oaks winner Rachel Alexandra installed as an 8 to 5 odds favorite in this afternoon’s Run for the Black Eyed Susans. The filly, which was recently purchased with a Preakness Stakes run in mind, has won her last five races, all of which jockey Calvin Borel had the mount. The highly touted horse will start today’s race from the thirteen post. Most trainers and owners would consider the far outside a bad draw, but that does not appear to be the case with Rachel Alexandra’s handlers. The filly’s assistant trainer, Scott Blasi, indicated that his team feels that their horse has all the tools to overcome any circumstance. “I was just speaking with Jess (Jackson) [Rachel’s owner] and Steve (Asmussen) [Rachel’s trainer] and we’re very happy with it, being on the outside” Blasi said. “You’ve got a long run to the first turn here, [but] we know that she does have good tactical speed and she should be able to get a good position going into the first turn. With having a filly in the race, what you’re worried about is traffic and everything that can happen. In the Derby, when you break they all come together. I think it’s a very good spot for us.” Despite what may be viewed as a hard luck start (consider that the last win from the far outside at the Preakness occurred in 1909), Blasi indicated that the combination of Rachel Alexandra and Borel is enough to ease any bad nerves. “Calvin knows her as well as anybody and has been a big part of her success in her works up to her races and her development in Hot Springs this winter,” Blasi said. “We’re very comfortable.” Anthony Stabile, Preakness Stakes Picks analyst at VegasInsider.com, believes that Alexandra could provide the horse racing world with a special moment this afternoon. “We can sit here for days talking about whether a filly should be running against colts, especially under these circumstances. She wasn't with her new connections for a day before it was announced that she'd try the Preakness after her old connections completely closed the door on her running against the boys. Many will bring up Eight Belles, while some will mention the success Rags to Riches had when she defeated Curlin in the Belmont two years ago. I'm siding with the latter folks and think she'll be right there when the Preakness dust settles.” The 134th Preakness Stakes will take place today at 4:30pm ET in Baltimore, Maryland. NBC Sports will broadcast the event live from the historic Pimlico Race Course. Bodog.com Preakness Stakes Picks: Rachel Alexandra 8 to 5 Preakness Odds Rachel Alexandra 8/5 Visit Bodog.com today to get down on your favorite Preakness Picks. Get a $50 Casino Chip Bonus when you bet on the Preakness.                        |
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 16 May 2009 ) | |||||||
