2009 Preakness Betting Odds Longshots - Papa Clem

Papa Clem is 10-1 in 2009 Preakness betting odds, making him one of the longshots for Saturday's 134th "Running of the Black-Eyed Susans". Papa Clem was a close fourth in the Kentucky Derby and comes into the race as the fourth choice for gamblers. Papa Clem put in a poor workout on Tuesday and trainer Gary Stute made sure his horse got some added exercise on Friday. “Watching it, it was exactly what I wanted,” Stute said.

“[It was] letting him know that at the eighth pole he better not be fooling around. He seems to lose focus. I don’t mind that, but I don’t want him to get the idea that down the lane he’s supposed to fool around. That’s why I usually throw in these blowouts either a day or two days before the race to make sure he’s got a run on his mind.” Friday’s work was only two furlongs but it might be a concern to some gamblers who were considering Papa Clem. Working a horse the day before a race is unusual but in Papa Clem’s case it was definitely needed. This is the second straight time that Papa Clem has needed a blowout right before a race as the same thing happened before the Kentucky Derby.

Papa Clem has shown the ability to be in the mix to win races but oftentimes he falls just short. The same thing could happen and that is why he is one of the longshots. Papa Clem was fourth in the Derby and he was second to Friesan Fire in the Louisiana Derby. Papa Clem ran a good race in the Derby and still lost. Now he faces a super horse in Rachel Alexandra and a horse in Friesan Fire who should not have nearly as much trouble. Asking Papa Clem for anything more than a third place show in Preakness betting may be asking too much.

Preakness betting odds have Rachel Alexandra as the 8-5 favorite on Saturday followed by Pioneerof the Nile at 5-1, Mine that Bird at 6-1, Friesan Fire at 8-1, Big Drama at 9-1 and then Papa Clem and Musket Man at 10-1. Any horse with more than double-digit would be considered one of the longshots for Saturday's race and Papa Clem fits into that category with 10-1 odds.