In 151 editions of the Preakness Stakes (it was run in two divisions in 1918), 74 winners have left the post as the public’s betting choice.
Since 1911, when pari-mutuel wagering made its debut at Pimlico, 20 Preakness favorites have started at odds of even-money or less and 19 have won.
Ten favorites paid .50-1.00 or less:
Citation, 1948 (.10-1.00)
Spectacular Bid, 1979 (.10-1.00)
Count Fleet, 1943 (.15-1.00)
Big Brown, 2008 (.20-1.00)
Native Dancer, 1953 (.20-1.00)
Secretariat, 1973 (.30-1.00)
Nashua, 1955 (.30-1.00)
War Admiral, 1937 (.35-1.00)
Seattle Slew, 1977 (.40-1.00)
Justify, 2018 (.40-1.00)
Affirmed, 1978 (.50-1.00)
California Chrome, 2014 (.50-1.00).
A year ago, Journalism left the gate as the even-money favorite and won by a half-length. Triple Crown winner American Pharoah was 4-5 in 2015.
In 1975, Master Derby was the longest-priced Preakness winner when he returned $48.80 on a $2 win bet. No horse has paid more in the years since. In 1925, Coventry left the gate at 21-1 and returned $45.60. Display paid $40.70 at odds of 19-1 in 1926 while Bee Bee Bee in 1972 rewarded his backers with a $39.40 return at 18-1.
Oxbow, 2013 (15-1, $32.80)
Hindus, 1900 (15-1 $32)
Don Enrique, 1907 (15-1, $32)
Deputed Testamony, 1983 (14-1 $31)
Cloud Computing, 2017 (13-1, $28.80)
Bernardini, 2006 (12-1, $27.80)
Shackleford, 2011 (12-1, $27.20)
The Bart, 1886 (12-1 $26.40)
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
