2016 Preakness Stakes Predictions
Who will win the 2016 Preakness Stakes when the contenders compete on Saturday from Pimlico Race Course? Here are our official predictions.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, Nyquist is the favorite at 20/31 odds, while Exaggerator has the next-best odds at 11/4. Stradivari is also in the mix at 10/1, while Collected is 16/1 and Cherry Wine is 18/1. The other mid-range long-shots are Uncle Lino at 33/1 and Lani at 40/1.
WIN: Exaggerator (11/4)
Jockey Kent Desormeaux had to maneuver in and around horses in the Kentucky Derby in order to make up 15 lengths in the last three quarters of a mile to be beaten by just over a length at the finish in the Kentucky Derby. Exaggerator’s close was highly impressive at Churchill Downs and he finished with a career-best 107 Equibase Speed Figure. He has zero issues racing on wet tracks, where he has two wins and a runner-up finish. Nyquist, at 8-0 in his career, should be favored to win the Preakness. But I like Exaggerator to pull off the small upset.
PLACE: Nyquist 20/31
Regardless of whether or not you have Nyquist winning or Exaggerator, you should strongly consider those two horses for your exacta wagers. The reason is that over the last 30 years, only three horses that skipped the Derby have won the Preakness. In each of those three years, a Derby contender finished second. Thus, while Stradivari will receive a ton of play and Cherry Wine will get some consideration as well, Nyquist and Exaggerator are the two safest bets to finish 1-2 at Pimlico this evening.
SHOW: Stardivari 10/1
The ultimate wildcard, Stradivari is a 14 1/2-length allowance winner trained by Todd Pletcher. He only has three starts, but of the new shooters in the Preakness he appears to be the most physically talented. A serious threat to Nyquist and Exaggerator, the only thing holding Stradivari back right now is experience. That said, he should be considered for your trifecta and superfecta tickets.
SUPERFECTA PLAY: Cherry Wine (18/1)
Cherry Wine rallied from 14th to fourth in the Rebel Stakes on March 19 and also came from 12th to finish third in the Blue Grass Stakes in his final prep for the Preakness Stakes. A natural closer, Cherry Wine is a good bet to finish in the top 4 today at Pimlico as other shooters wear themselves out trying to keep pace with Nyquist. While it’s unlikely he’ll win, Cherry Wine is a serious threat down the stretch to finish inside the money.
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