2019 Preakness Stakes Exotics Betting Preview: BlackJack’s Trifecta, Superfecta Plays

It's finally time for the horse racing world to move on from the chaos of the Kentucky Derby. Neither the horse that crossed the wire first, Maximum Security, nor the winner, Country House will be at Pimlico.

Just because we don't have the biggest names, doesn't mean that there isn't a chance to make money with some frisky exotic bets. Let's do it.

2019 Preakness Stakes Odds

No. 1: War of Will (4-1)
No. 2: Bourbon War (12-1)
No. 3: Warrior’s Charge (12-1)
No. 4: Improbable (5-2)
No. 5: Owendale (10-1)
No. 6: Market King (30-1)
No. 7: Alwaysmining (8-1)
No. 8: Signalman (30-1)
No. 9: Bodexpress (20-1)
No. 10: Everfast (50-1)
No. 11: Laughing Fox (20-1)
No. 12: Anothertwistafate (6-1)
No. 13: Win Win Win (15-1)

2019 Preakness Stakes Exotics

No. 1 War of Will was the horse who was most directly impacted by Maximum Security veering horribly off course in the Kentucky Derby. He was clipped twice by the front runner and it significantly slowed his momentum.

Nobody knows whether War of Will would have ultimately won the Kentucky Derby, but he looked poised to make a big move at the top of the stretch. He had a rough trip in the Louisiana Derby, but was the winner of the Risen Star and Lecomte Stakes races down in New Orleans. He, unfortunately drew the first post position again at Pimlico, but he should still be a factor on the board at the end of this race.

If No. 2 Bourbon War can hit the board, he will provide some significant value. His morning-line number is 12-1 and he should go off in that range.

He was fourth in the Florida Derby, but he started too far behind the pace to be in position to rally. Trainer Mark Casse is adding blinkers to his horse so that he will stay closer to the pace, which will allow him to make his run to the front as they hit the stretch.

It doesn't hurt that his rider is Irad Ortiz Jr. and is the son of Tapit.

It would be silly to leave No. 4 Improbable off your card.  The Bob Baffert-trained colt will be ridden by Mike Smith and is a consistently good horse, if not great.

Smith will likely have him just off the pace and will ensure he gets the desired trip around Pimlico. This horse may be the class of this field and he deserves a spot in your exotics.

In addition to that trifecta box, I'll look to use the No. 3 Warrior's Charge, No. 7 Alwaysmining and No. 12 Anothertwistafate in my Superfectas.

Trifecta (box): 1, 2, 4
Superfecta (box): 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 12