2021 Preakness Stakes Betting Odds Preview

Controversy hovers over the Preakness Stakes this weekend as Medina Spirit goes for the second jewel of the Triple Crown at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

Medina Spirit was the surprising winner of the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago as a +1200 underdog at Bovada Sportsbook. It looked like that win was going to be taken away, however, after he tested positive for betamethasone, a banned corticosteroid.

Medina Spirit favored despite Kentucky Derby controversy

Right now, Medina Spirit has been given the OK to race and is the Preakness favorite at Bovada at +185. However, if you do place a bet on Medina Spirit, keep an eye on the newswire because he could be pulled again at a moment’s notice before post time on Saturday.

Medina Spirit is trained by legendary trainer Bob Baffert, who has taken seven horses to the winner’s circle at the Preakness, most recently Triple Crown winner Justify in 2018. Baffert also trains Concert Tour, who follows Medina Spirit on the Preakness Stakes odds at Bovada at +200.

Concert Tour has won three of four races in his career. That includes a win in the Rebel Stakes in his last race. Both Medina Spirit and Concert Tour will be under heavy scrutiny in the Preakness due to Medina Spirit’s drug test. Concert Tour’s status also should be watched leading up to post time.

Midnight Bourbon, Crowded Trade get triple-digit odds

The only other horses in this weekend’s 10-horse field getting triple-digit odds at Bovada are Midnight Bourbon at +500 and Crowded Trade at +800.

Midnight Bourbon also raced in the Kentucky Derby, finishing in sixth place. He is trained by Steve Asmussen, who has trained two previous Preakness winners, the most recent being Rachel Alexandra in 2009.

Crowded Trade last raced in the Wood Memorial last month where he finished third. He is trained by Chad Brown, who has been to the winner’s circle at the Preakness once, in 2017 with Cloud Computing.

Keepmeinmind finished seventh in Run for the Roses

Along with Medina Spirit and Midnight Bourbon, the only other horse in the Preakness field that also ran in the Kentucky Derby is Keepmeinmind. He finished seventh in the Derby and is a +1600 underdog in the Preakness at Bovada.

The odds on the rest of the Preakness field are: Risk Taking and Rombauer, both at +1200; Unbridled Honor at +1400; and France Go de Ina and Ram, both at +3000.