Preakness rarely rewards longshot bettors

One of the more noticeable differences from the Derby to Preakness is this: Longshots have a far worse chance, at least historically, to win at Pimlico. Whereas big-priced winners have almost become the norm in the Derby – in the last dozen years, bombers such as Charismatic (31-1), Giacomo (50-1), Mine That Bird (50-1), and Animal Kingdom (20-1) have prevailed – the Preakness is about as formful a race as possible.

Even in 135 runnings, the longest-priced winner remains Master Derby, who scored at 23-1 in 1975. In the last 10 years, only one Preakness winner, Bernardini ($27.80 in 2006) has been higher than 3-1.

Three for those who believe history repeats itself

Three of the 14 runners in the Preakness field Saturday were sired by horses who won the Preakness: Concealed Identity is by Smarty Jones, the 2004 Preakness winner; Norman Asbjornson is by Real Quiet (1998); and Sway Away is by Afleet Alex (2005).

Nine times in race history, the winner was sired by a Preakness winner, the last being Charismatic (1999), by Summer Squall (1990).

As the only Maryland-bred in the field, Concealed Identity could strike a double whammy with an upset. The most recent of nine Maryland-bred winners of the Preakness was Deputed Testamony in 1983.

PREAKNESS STAKES 2011: Contender profiles, news updates, video, and odds