I was asked a few times prior to the Kentucky Derby if I thought there was a chance a horse could win the Triple Crown for the first time since Affirmed last did it 35 years ago.
Orb was my one and only choice and now he has a legitimate shot going into the second phase after his strong performance in the slop at Churchill Downs two weeks ago. His dominating win by 2 1/2 lengths in the Derby while pulling away makes it hard for me to believe that any of his rivals coming out of that same race can reverse the outcome of the Preakness.
The new shooters Orb will face today are entitled to move forward but still rank them well below the favorite. I'll be keying Orb in my exotic tickets while using some major players beneath him. Payoffs in the Preakness are not as attractive as they are in the Derby but still can pay handsomely.
Over the past 15 years the Exacta and Trifecta payouts are well above average.
Main Players with Betting Strategies
ORB The nervous whispers started as soon as Orb was assigned the rail position for today's race. Folks, this is not a problem for him. He won the Fountain Of Youth Stakes starting from the rail with the same amount of runners as today's race. He will sit closer to the pack but I expect jockey Rosario to sit dead last before picking his rivals off one-by-one. Orb trained wonderfully this week and trainer Shug McGaughey called it "breathtaking" and also saying it was more impressive than the workout before the Derby.
DEPARTING Coming off the Illinois Derby victory by 3 1/4 lengths in closing fashion circling the field makes this new shooter the most logical new threat to Orb. This well rested 3 year old has won 4 of 5 starts with his only loss in the Louisiana Derby finishing behind Revolutionary and Mylute. A Concern would be not the toughest of fields in his last win in the Illinois Derby.
MYLUTE Another closer who finished 5th in the Derby and losing by 4 lengths after running in to some minor traffic problems. I do like the fact that he seems to be improving each race and has been training well. Will have to make his closing kick sooner running a 1/16 of a mile shorter today but won't have the congestion with the smaller field.
