2009 Preakness Stakes Betting Favorites - Mine That Bird

The question that horse racing bettors have to answer on Saturday in Preakness Stakes betting is whether or not Mine That Bird’s Kentucky Derby win was a fluke or not. Mine That Bird was 50-1 in the Derby and given very little chance to win, even by his trainer Chip Woolley. Now, after a dream trip in the Derby the horse is 5-1. Mine That Bird is one of the favorites but does he deserve that role? He did win the Kentucky Derby but the perfect storm that developed in that race is unlikely to ever happen again.

This time Mine That Bird has to beat a superstar filly in Rachel Alexandra, the Kentucky Derby betting favorite Friesan Fire who shouldn’t have nearly as bad a trip on Saturday and Pioneerof the Nile. That doesn’t even count the newcomers in Preakness Stakes betting that look better than some of the horses in the Derby. Mine That Bird’s jockey in the Derby, Calvin Borel, has decided to get off the horse and ride Rachel Alexandra. It will be the first time in history that a jockey has gotten off the Derby winner to ride another horse in the Preakness Stakes. That fact alone should give horse bettors cause for worry if they are backing Mine That Bird. Other Preakness trainers are jumping at the chance to take on Mine That Bird. Big Drama’s trainer David Fawkes really wants a shot at the Derby winner.

"The whole picture kind of fell apart," Fawkes said about the Kentucky Derby, "You know, there was no outstanding horse. I mean yeah, the winner, he was impressive, but as far as all of the favorites, you know, they all had reasons for what happened." Mine That Bird’s trainer isn’t really concerned about what other people are saying. "I do not mind that too much," Woolley said. "You know, my horse's form didn't say he could win the Derby; I will be the first to say that. But he passed 18 head of horses from the 3/8 pole to the wire that were all Grade 1 horses. So I don't know that it was fluke. But I guess we'll find out down the road." Mine That Bird has gone from Derby longshot to one of the Preakness Stakes betting favorites in a matter of two short weeks. Whether he is deserving of that role is something that everyone will find out on Saturday.