California Chrome Preakness Odds
BALTIMORE, MD (The Spread) – After winning the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago, California Chrome remains the favorite to win the 2014 Preakness Stakes.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, California Chrome is a 4/7 favorite to win Saturday’s Preakness, while Social Inclusion has the next-best odds at 6/1 despite not running in the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago. Bayern is also 12/1 while Ride On Curlin is 14/1 and Dynamic Impact is 16/1.
California Chrome has collected wins in five consecutive starts, including May 3’s Kentucky Derby. He also placed first in the Santa Anita Derby, the San Felipe Stakes, the California Cup Derby and the King Glorious Stakes. The knock on him entering the Kentucky Derby is that California horses have struggled at Churchill Downs over the years, but California Chrome shut doubters up when he cruised down the backstretch to a rather easy victory.
That said, one thing that could play a huge factor in California Chrome winning the second leg of the Triple Crown is the weather in Baltimore. Rain has hit the area for the past 24 hours and the contenders might be dealing with a muddy track. Why is that a factor? Weather conditions and track surface can level the field at times, just like what happened in 2009 when 50/1 long shot Mine That Bird won on a muddy track in the Kentucky Derby.
Thus, monitor the weather leading up to the 6:20PM ET post time at the Preakness. If the weather is good and the dirt is dry, then the track should run fast, which obviously benefits California Chrome. If the track is muddy, then just be cautious with your play. That’s not to say that California Chrome won’t win, but he’s already the heavy favorite and you lose some value if the conditions are less than ideal.
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