Last Updated on May 15, 2010 1:30 pm by Anthony Rome
Aikenite Preview
After finishing second at the Grade III Derby Trial on April 24, long shot Aikenite will battle the field as a contender in the 2010 Preakness Stakes.
Overview:
Trainer Todd Pletcher and his crew were surprised that Aikenite was a dud at the G1 Blue Grass on April 10, a race in which the colt finished eighth. That performance was reason enough not to enter Aikenite in the Kentucky Derby. Instead, after he ran a promising second to winner Hurricane Ike in the G3 Derby Trial on April 24, Pletcher felt confident enough to enter Aikenite into the Preakness.
Updated Odds:
Aikenite opened as an 18/1 long shot to win the 2010 Preakness Stakes, but has since dropped to 25/1 according to oddsmakers from online sports book BroburySports.com. Contenders with comparable odds are Yawanna Twist at 25/1, and Northern Giant at 28/1.
Post Position:
Aikenite had the misfortune of drawing the rail on Wednesday. It’s unfortunate because the three inside positions haven’t won at the Preakness in 10-plus years.
Final Analysis & Outlook:
Aikenite’s second place finish at the Derby Trial was his breakthrough performance, but does that effort complete erase his poor showing at the graded stakes Blue Grass race? In short – no, it doesn’t. While he stalks the pace (a good thing given the nature of the Preakness) and has four starts under his belt this year, he missed the Kentucky Derby, doesn’t have a stakes win in his career and has a best Beyer of just 96. Throw in his poor post position and there’s a reason why he’s a long shot at 25/1.
Preakness Stakes 135 – Saturday, May 15, 2010 – Horse Racing Odds
Super Saver 5/2
Lookin at Lucky 3/1
Paddy O’prado 6/1
Caracortado 10/1
Dublin 10/1
Jackson Bend 11/1
Schoolyard Dreams 14/1
First Dude 20/1
Pleasant Prince 20/1
Aikenite 25/1
Yawanna Twist 25/1
Northern Giant 28/1
Posted: 5/15/10 1:30PM ET