Looking for Long Shots
A detailed look at every horse in the Preakness Stakes field
May 15, 2019, 10:37 pm
Getty Images
The Preakness Stakes on Saturday will lack star power. The horse that finished first in the Derby won't be here. The horse that was gifted the Derby via DQ won't be here. But that does not mean the race lacks intrigue. Can War of Will bounce back from his controversial role in the Derby to run well? Is Improbable the right favorite? Which new shooter will have the best chance? Let's take a look at the field:
1) War of Will (4-1)
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Race record: 9 starts, 3 wins, 1 second, 1 third.
What he has done: Had two dominating stakes wins early in the year at Fair Grounds, and was at the center of the controversy in the Derby when he was cut off by Maximum Security. He did not finish poorly after that, but never looked like a winner. Will likely take a lot of action.
Status: Contender, but will fault no one for tossing him.
2) Bourbon War (12-1)
Trainer: Mark Hennig
Jockey: Irad Ortiz
Race record: 5-2-1-0
What he has done: Lightly raced horse finished fourth in the Florida Derby last out, but that race was won by Maximum Security (who was DQ'd in the Derby) who walked on the front end that day. It gave the closers no chance. Code of Honor ran third in the Florida Derby and ran well in the Kentucky Derby. So did second-place finisher Bodexpress. He is bred to be a champ, is well rested and should be sitting on a big effort.
Status: Live long shot and our key horse.
3) Warriors Charge (12-1)
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Race record: 5-2-0-3
What he has done: Since he figured out how to be a front runner, he has buzz sawed two fields at Arkansas. This is a big step up but he should be the controlling pace of the race.
Status: Fringe player
4) Improbable (5-2)
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith
Race record: 6-3-2-0
What he has done: He never really runs a bad race, but he also has been pretty pedestrian as a 3-year-old. He finished fifth in the Derby, but was one of the few who did not have trouble.
Status: Favorite, but vulnerable.
5) Owendale (10-1)
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Race record: 8-3-1-1
What he has done: Won the Lexington Stakes at a nice price with a solid late move. Prior to that, however he had a fairly nondescript career. Distance seems to be a question for him but further improvement puts him in the mix.
Status: Contender to get a piece of the trifecta.
6) Market King (30-1)
Trainer: D Wayne Lukas
Jockey: Jon Court
Race record: 8-1-1-2
What he has done: Not much. Has only a maiden win to his credit and his best effort was a third in the Rebel. Still, hopeless looking Lukas horses like this have a habit of showing up on the big stage.
Status: Should be a throw-out but will use on the bottom of tris.
7) Always Mining (8-1)
Trainer: Kelly Rubley
Jockey: Daniel Centeno
Race record: 12-7-0-1
What he has done: Local star has reeled off six in a row at nearby Laurel Park and been extremely impressive doing it. This is a big step up, but it is not like this is a scary group. Could easily be a big factor and should be near the early lead.
Status: Contender.
8) Signalman (30-1)
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Brian Hernandez
Race record: 7-2-2-2
What he has done: Was a promising 2-year-old, but has just been OK at 3. Should be sitting on a decent effort but would be a surprise if he won it.
Status: Fringe player; use in exotic wagers.
9) Bodexpress (20-1)
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
Jockey: John Velazquez
Race record: 6-0-3-0
What he has done: Qualified for the Derby by finishing second in the Florida Derby, then hung around for a while before throwing in the towel after he was bothered.
Status: Looks to be a pace factor but hard to see him impacting the finish.
10) Everfast (50-1)
Trainer: Dale Romans
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Race record: 10-1-1-1
What he has done: Late entrant finished second in the Holy Bull in February at 128-1. Besides that? Nothing. Love his trainer in Triple Crown races but the horse looks hopeless.
Status: Not exactly aptly named. Be surprised if he has any impact.
11) Laughing Fox (20-1)
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Ricardo Santana
Race record: 7-3-0-0
What he has done: An all or nothing type, his last two have been solid, finishing right behind the fake Derby winner and taking down a decent field at Oaklawn. May be coming around at the right time.
Status: Contender at a price.
12) Anothertwistafate (6-1)
Trainer: Blaine Wright
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Race record: 6-3-2-0
What he has done: A monster on synthetic surfaces, he has a pair of seconds on traditional dirt. Solid, consistent type who never really runs a bad race but does not seem good enough to win this.
Status: Has to bus used but hard to see him winning.
13) Win Win Win (15-1)
Trainer: Michael Trombetta
Jockey: Julien Pimentel
Race record: 7-3-2-1
What he has done: Missed hitting the board for the first time in the Derby. Liked him as a long shot that day, and he split the field. The fact that he wheels right back is a good sign.
Status: Live long shot who has a big chance.
The bottom line
Check back Friday for some plays, but I like Bourbon War quite a bit to be a factor. I also think Always Mining, Win Win Win and Laughing Fox should be in the mix as well.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
The Houston Astros kick off a pivotal weekend series against the Boston Red Sox on Friday night at Fenway Park — and they'll do so with a familiar face back in the lineup. Carlos Correa, reacquired in a stunning trade deadline move on Thursday, is set to make his return to the Astros and will hit cleanup in his first game back with the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2012.
Correa rejoins a Houston club that sits atop the AL West at 62-47 and is coming off a resounding 9-1 win over Washington on Wednesday, fueled by Jose Altuve’s four-hit performance. The Astros are 27-23 on the road and enter Friday with the fourth-best on-base percentage in the American League (.321).
The Red Sox, meanwhile, have won six of their last 10 games and hold a 34-21 record at home. Boston enters the weekend third in the competitive AL East at 59-51. Outfielder Jarren Duran has been a spark plug, hitting .265 with 29 doubles and 12 triples on the year.
Houston will send right-hander Hunter Brown (9-5) to the mound, while Boston will counter with RHP Cooper Criswell (1-0).
Friday marks the first meeting of the season between these two clubs.
All eyes will be on Correa’s return in a stadium where he’s delivered countless postseason moments. Now, he begins the next chapter of his Astros career, joining a team counting on him to help fuel their playoff push.
Starting lineup
So how will Joe Espada deploy his new toys? Pena is back at shortstop and leading off, with Altuve hitting second and serving as the DH. Jesus Sanchez gets his first Astros, start hitting third, and playing left field. Correa begins his Astros reunion hitting fourth and playing third base.
Big night in Beantown.
⚾️: 6:10 PM CDT | 7:10 PM EDT
📺: @AppleTV +
🎙️: @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 93.3 FM#BuiltForThis x @reliantenergy pic.twitter.com/ILoVlyqRQg
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 1, 2025
Yainer Diaz (C) will hit fifth, followed by Christian Walker (1B), and Taylor Trammell (CF). It's interesting to see Cam Smith hitting so far down the lineup at eighth. He'll play right field and finally, Mauricio Dubon will hit ninth and play second base.
Betting odds
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -134, Red Sox +113; over/under is 8 runs
___________________________
*ChatGPT assisted.
Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!