Despite being set as a 30-1 morning line long shot at the Kentucky Derby, Animal Kingdom shocked the world by winning the Derby as the first horse in the history of the race (137 years) to win his debut on dirt and cashed $43.80 for a $2.00 wager. Animal Kingdom comes into the Preakness this time as the favorite at 2-1 betting odds after dominating the Kentucky Derby field with a two-and-three quarter length victory. The 2011 Preakness Stakes is scheduled to take place on May 21, 2011 at Pimlico in Baltimore, Maryland. This will be the 136th running of the Preakness. Coverage begins on NBC at 4:30 ET, with post time set for 6:18 ET. The Preakness Stakes is the second leg of Horse Racing's Triple Crown.

When checking out Triple Crown props, offshore bookmaker Bodog is currently offering "Yes" at +550 that Animal Kingdom will win the Triple Crown with the "No" wager sitting at -900. In this case we concur with the oddsmakers and feel Animal Kingdom comes up short at the Preakness. Remember that we backed Animal Kingdom at the Kentucky Derby (link), but this Saturday feel the fast pace does not warrant taking this horse at 2-1. Animal Kingdom will be up against a quicker pace in the Preakness, which includes the original Derby favorite Dialed In, along with third place finisher Mucho Macho Man and fourth place finisher Shackleford. With so many horses in this race who can compete with Animal Kingdom at this pace and distance, there is not enough value backing the Derby winner at the Preakness. Even though tossing him in your exotics makes sense, when putting down cash for the winner look at Dialed In or Mucho Macho Man. Animal Kingdom will run out of the 11th spot for the $1 million Preakness Stakes on Saturday.

Comment below: Do you think Animal Kingdom is on pace to be the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978?

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2011 Preakness Stakes - Animal Kingdom
(more Preakness videos at www.Pregame.tv)

Host Marco D'Angelo and Dave Tuley from the Daily Racing Form discuss the chances of Animal Kingdom winning the 2011 Preakness Stakes.