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2023 Preakness Stakes Contenders

by Joey House - 5/17/2023

Preakness Stakes contenders Mage

The second jewel in the Triple Crown is almost upon us. Now that the post-position draw occurred, handicappers can accurately start trying to break down how the race will be run and come up with a strategy that implements that knowledge. Let Docs be your guide in handicapping all of the major races.

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Post Position 1- National Treasure (4-1)

Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: John Velazquez

Trainer Bob Baffert makes his return to the Triple Crown following his 2-year suspension in 2021 from the Kentucky Derby. National Treasure returned to the Baffert fold after he attempted to earn his way into the Derby via the Santa Anita Derby (G1). Racing exclusively in graded stakes after breaking his maiden in Del Mar. Probably won't win but could factor in exotics

Post Position 2- Chase the Chaos (50-1)

Trainer: Ed Moger Jr. Jockey: Sheldon Russell

Winning the El Camino Real Derby (LS) gave Chase the Chaos an automatic entry into the Preakness. It's a good thing because in his next two attempts on dirt (the Real Derby was on synthetic), he wasn't a factor. He shouldn't be a factor Saturday, either. Pass.

Post Position 3- Mage (8-5)

Trainer: Gustavo Delgado Jockey: Javier Castellano

All eyes will be on the Derby favorite to see if he can keep the dreams of a Triple Crown winner alive. Deep closers haven't fared well in the Preakness, with only three winning since 2000. Mage's Derby run was the epitome of a deep closer. I think his bid to be the 14th Triple Crown winner ends at Pimlico.

Post Position 4- Coffeewithchris (20-1)

Trainer- John Salzman Jr. Jockey: Jaime Rodriguez

A local entrant with 12 starts on the Maryland Circuit, Coffeewithchris has two local stakes wins at Laurel, and his most recent run was a 5th-place effort in the Federico Tesio (LS), a Preakness prep race. The first start in a graded stakes race won't be pretty for this java lover. Pass.

Post Position 5- Red Route One (10-1)

Trainer: Steve Asmussen Jockey: Joel Rosario

A deep closer who started his career out on Turf, Red Route One had a couple of seconds on the Derby trail until he won the Bath House Row Stakes (LS) by a head. In that race, he used Lasix for the first time but will have to race without for the Preakness. I don't think Mage is going to win with his running style that is similar, but better, than Red Route One.

Post Position 6- Perform (15-1)

Trainer: Shug McGaughey Jockey: Feargal Lynch

Perform has had seven career races, each one in a different venue. He's on a two-race winning streak, having broken his maiden in March down in Tampa and then won the aforementioned Federico at Laurel, punching his ticket to the Preakness with an expertly run race that saw him use his tactical speed to the fullest. At 15-1, he is an interesting long shot.

Post Position 7- Blazing Sevens (6-1)

Trainer: Chad Brown Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.

Even though Blazing Sevens had earned enough points to qualify for the Kentucky Derby, trainer Chad Brown held him out in order to make the Preakness his focal point. Brown has used this strategy successfully in the past, winning in 2017 with Cloud Computing and last year with Early Voting. Being fresh and having the training focused solely on this race is going to put Blazing Sevens in a great position to win the jackpot.

Post Position 8- First Mission (5-2)

Trainer: Brad Cox Jockey: Luis Saez

Two weeks ago, holding First Mission out of the Kentucky Derby probably seemed like the prudent move to make. However, after watching Mage break the "Curse of Apollo," I wonder if trainer Brad Cox had second thoughts. Winner of his last two, including the Lexington (G3), First Mission is one of the few horses I feel that can stop the Triple Crown at Pimlico.

While the Kentucky Derby has all of the pomp and circumstance that goes with being the prized jewel in the Triple Crown, the Preakness offers a true horse fan plenty of strategy and excitement in its own right. With much of the field being a bit fresher than their Derby-running counterparts, stamina and conditioning take on a critical role in handicapping. With Mage trying to take his place alongside some of the greats, such as Secretariat and American Pharoah, the Preakness guarantees to be "must-see TV" on Saturday evening.

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