2009 Preakness Stakes Betting Favorites - Friesan Fire

2009 Preakness Stakes betting has been all about the filly Rachel Alexandra and to a lesser extent the Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird. A horse that is getting virtually ignored in Preakness Stakes odds is Kentucky Derby betting favorite Friesan Fire. Friesan Fire is co-owned by Fox Hill Farm and Vinery Stables. Tom Ludt is the manager of Vinery and he has made no excuses for Friesan Fire’s performance in the Derby although the horse was bounced around and injured. "You know it was a really hard day for me. It's tough to get there and then have that happen to you," Ludt said.

"But that's racing, it happened, and I make no excuses. Friesan Fire is trained by Larry Jones who had the filly Eight Belles last year. Friesan Fire had a bullet work at Pimlico this past week that has excited the connections of Friesan Fire. "I think his work kind of re-enlightened a few people," Ludt said. The Preakness Stakes betting field seems to be setting up well for Friesan Fire. It is expected that Big Drama (10-1) and Rachel Alexandra (8-5) will contend for the lead. That could set things up well for Friesan Fire in 2009. "Hopefully he's going to rebound, he wasn't the Derby favorite for no reason," Jones said. "Hopefully he's going to live up to it and do what he's supposed to do."

Friesan Fire could end up as one of the favorites before they go to the post on Saturday although he is likely to be behind Rachel Alexandra and Pioneerof the Nile on the odds board. Gamblers are starting to look at Friesan Fire as one of the favorites on Saturday. Rachel Alexandra is 8-5 followed by Pioneerof the Nile at 4-1 and Mine That Bird at 11/2. Friesan Fire is 8-1 which could be a great value although he is not one of the Preakness Stakes longshots. The longshots are Luv Gov 35/1, Flying Private 45/1, Tone It Down 40/1, Terrain 35/1 and Take The Points 35/1.