Trainer Chad Brown can win the middle leg of the Triple Crown for the second time when he sends out two runners, Crowded Trade and Risk Taking, in the 2021 Preakness Stakes on Saturday at Pimlico Race Course. The 42-year-old Brown has had just two previous starters in the race, winning with Cloud Computing in 2017 and finishing fourth with Good Magic in 2018. This year, Crowded Trade is an 8-1 long shot in the latest 2021 Preakness Stakes odds, while Risk Taking is even longer at 12-1.
The Bob Baffert-trained Medina Spirit, whose win in the Kentucky Derby is in jeopardy after he tested positive for a corticosteroid in a postrace exam, is one of the favorites in the 2021 Preakness Stakes field at 3-1. Concert Tour, who also is trained by Baffert, is 4-1 in the current Preakness Stakes odds 2021. Post time is 6:47 p.m. ET. With questions surrounding the morning-line favorite on Saturday, you need to see how handicapping champion Jonathon Kinchen has broken down the race.
Kinchen is one of the nation's most successful and recognizable horseplayers. An analyst for Fox Sports' "America's Day at the Races" and co-host of the "In the Money Players' Podcast," Kinchen won the National Horseplayers Championship Tour in 2015, a demanding, yearlong series of handicapping events across the country. That same year, he became the only player in history to have both of his entries qualify for the final table of the National Horseplayers Championship.
In addition, Kinchen has scored huge on some of racing's biggest days. In November, he finished second out of 418 contestants in the prestigious Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge, which earned him $215,000 in prize money. After factoring in his profit during the 14 Breeders' Cup races, he took home more than $366,000 on the day.
It's no fluke, either. At the 2015 Kentucky Derby, he cashed for $150,000 after nailing the Pick 6 and a Pick 3 that paid $50,000. Anyone who has followed him is up big.
Now, Kinchen has handicapped the 2021 Preakness Stakes horses, made his picks and constructed his bets. You can only see them here.
Top 2021 Preakness Stakes predictions
After studying the past performances of every horse in the race, Kinchen is completely fading Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit, even though he is one of the Preakness Stakes 2021 favorites. It's been a whirlwind week for Medina Spirit, whose failed Kentucky Derby drug test was disclosed on Sunday. Trainer Bob Baffert later admitted that a medication given to the colt contained the banned substance, which put his Kentucky Derby victory in doubt.
Rather than travel to Baltimore to coach his trainee during Preakness 2021 week, Baffert went to California. Plus, if Medina Spirit is unable to get to the front after drawing the No. 3 post position, his ability to set the pace like he did two weeks ago in the Kentucky Derby could be in doubt. "In Louisville, he got loose on the lead and held off all challengers, but I don't think he gets the same favorable setup in Baltimore," Kinchen told SportsLine.
Another shocker: Kinchen also is 100 percent against Concert Tour, even though he is the second favorite at 5-2. A speedy chestnut colt, Concert Tour won the first three starts of his career, making him one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby, but in his last race, he turned in a head-scratching third-place effort in the Arkansas Derby.
After that race, the connections chose to bypass Louisville and instead point for the Preakness. "If Concert Tour were doing well, he would've run in the Kentucky Derby," Kinchen told SportsLine. "The fact that Bob Baffert and his connections skipped that race for the Preakness doesn't give me confidence." Kinchen will not use Concert Tour as part of his Preakness 2021 betting strategy.
How to make 2021 Preakness Stakes bets
With Kinchen completely fading the top two favorites, one of his top contenders is a must-see double-digit long shot who "could win the whole thing," giving you a huge return. Kinchen is including this horse prominently in his wagering, and so should you. See who to back for a huge payday here.
Which horse wins the Preakness Stakes 2021? Which double-digit long shot is a must-use? And how has Kinchen structured his wagering? Check out the latest Preakness Stakes odds 2021 below, then visit SportsLine to see Kinchen's picks for the Preakness Stakes.
2021 Preakness Stakes contenders, odds
Midnight Bourbon 5-2
Medina Spirit 3-1
Concert Tour 4-1
Crowded Trade 8-1
Unbridled Honor 11-1
Keepmeinmind 12-1
Ram 12-1
Rombauer 12-1
Risk Taking 12-1
France Go De Ina 20-1