2011 Preakness preview

Post Time: Saturday, May 21, 6:18 p.m., NBC

	Andrew Beyer's Analysis	Odds
1. Astrology Trainer: Steve Asmussen Jockey: Mike Smith	Second in his last three starts, he's the second-stringer in Asmussen's barn behind Nehro, who finished second in the Derby.	15-1 BSF: 93
2. Norman Asbjornson Trainer: Christopher Grove Jockey: Julian Pimentel	Trainer says his colt is "peaking right now," but 4th-place finish in slow Wood Memorial wasn't encouraging.	30-1 BSF: 87
3. King Congie Trainer: Tom Albertrani Jockey: Robby Albarado	All of his good form is on grass or synthetic tracks. Soundly beaten in two starts on dirt.	20-1 BSF: 93
4. Flashpoint Trainer: Wesley A. Ward Jockey: Cornelio Velasquez	Lightly raced colt zipped 7 furlongs in 1:22 winning a stakes in Florida, indicating that he's the fastest of the speed horses in the lineup. Speed in the Preakness.	20-1 BSF: 102
5. Shackleford Trainer: Dale Romans Jockey: Jesus Castanon	He'll never have a nicer set-up than he did in the Derby, getting an uncontested lead while setting a slow pace, but he couldn't finish better than fourth.	12-1 BSF: 97
6. Sway Away Trainer: Jeff Bonde Jockey: Garrett Gomez	Excluded from the Derby because of insufficient earnings, he's a better colt than many who ran. Made a strong move before finishing 4th in the Arkansas Derby.	15-1 BSF: 101
7. Midnight Interlude Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Martin Garcia	"In the Derby," Baffert conceded, "he just laid a big goose egg." But previously the colt won the Santa Anita Derby.	15-1 BSF: 97
8. Dance City Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Ramon Dominguez	Pletcher colt comes to Pimlico after a 35-day layoff since a gutsy 3rd-place finish in the Arkansas Derby. Definitely a contender. "Fresh" horses in the Preakness.	12-1 BSF: 95
9. Mucho Macho Man Trainer: Kathy Ritvo Jockey: Rajiv Maragh	After his third-place Derby finish, he gives Kathy Ritvo a realistic shot to become the first of her gender to train a Preakness winner.	6-1 BSF: 99
10. Dialed In Trainer: Nicholas P. Zito Jockey: Julien Leparoux	The slow early pace may have compromised the Derby favorite. Zito understandably will give him another chance: He'll collect a $5.5 million bonus if he wins. Beaten Derby favorites in the Preakness.	9-2 BSF: 97
11. Animal Kingdom Trainer: H. Graham Motion Jockey: John Velazquez	His 20-to-1 victory at Churchill Downs was a surprise, but no fluke. Nobody behind him had a legitimate excuse. The deserving Preakness favorite. Animal Kingdom might have staying power Animal Kingdom is early 2-1 favorite	2-1 BSF: 103
12. Isn't He Perfect Trainer: Doodnauth Shivmangal Jockey: Edgar Prado	Ex-claiming horse, soundly beaten in two stakes tries, is way out of his element here.	30-1 BSF: 84
13. Concealed Identity Trainer: Eddie Gaudet Jockey: Sheldon Russell	One-eyed gelding captured the Tesio at Pimlico, but it's hard to see him improving enough to be a contender here.	30-1 BSF: 86
14. Mr. Commons Trainer: John Shirreffs Jockey: Victor Espinoza	Finished third in the Santa Anita Derby. The two colts ahead of him ran 16th and 19th in Kentucky.	20-1 BSF: 93