With the 2023 Preakness Stakes upon us here's everything we thought you needed to know about the 2023 Preakness Stakes updated odds, picks and best bets.
In the latest Preakness Stakes updated odds, picks and best bets, there was big movement across the board. Mage is currently the betting favorite at 8-5 on the 2023 Preakness Stakes odds, drawing post No. 3 for the Preakness.
For the 2023 Preakness Stakes Order of Finish, Results and Payouts, check out 2023 Preakness Stakes Order of Finish, Results, Payouts | National Treasure Wins at 5-2 Odds.
Mage was 8-5 on the morning line, before second favorite National Treasure moved from 4-1 to 5-2 and Mage moved to 2-1 in the hour ahead of the Preakness. But minutes before the start of the 2023 Preakness Stakes, Mage was back to 8-5.
Here is everything you need to know about the 2023 Preakness Stakes odds, best bets and picks and Mage's attempt to continue his Triple Crown run.
2023 Preakness Stakes Updated Odds, Best Bets, Picks
| Post | Horse | Closing | Morning Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Treasure | 5-2 | 4-1 |
| 2 | Chase the Chaos | 10-1 | 50-1 |
| 3 | Mage | 7-5 | 8-5 |
| 4 | Coffeewithchris | 10-1 | 20-1 |
| 5 | Red Route One | 8-1 | 10-1 |
| 6 | Perform | 8-1 | 15-1 |
| 7 | Blazing Sevens | 9-2 | 6-1 |
| 8 | First Mission | Scratch | Scratch |
*Odds via TwinSpires at closing of Preakness Stakes betting.
Mage looked to win the second leg of the 2023 Triple Crown at the 148th running of the Preakness, after winning the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago as a 15-1 longshot.
One additional note: On Saturday morning, it was reported that Mage had received stitches above his right eye for a cut sustained after bumping his head in his stall on Thursday. He subsequently passed the state vet's test and was reportedly good to go for the Preakness. That is in addition to second-favorite First Mission being scratched earlier this week. First Mission had been 5-2.
Will Mage's Triple Crown run continue? Betting expert Mike Conti has Mage on his betting tickets, but his 2023 Preakness Stakes best bets and picks feature a different winner.
2023 Preakness Stakes Best Bets
To Win — No. 1 National Treasure (4-1)
Exacta— 1 | 3 (Mage)
Superfecta: 1 | 3 | 5,6 | 5,6
Preakness Stakes Expert Picks
No. 1 National Treasure (4-1) is coming off a fourth-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby. He was forced to nearly stop on the far turn, but was able to find his stride again in the last 16th of a mile and was gaining on the leaders late. He will be forwardly placed in a race that lacks pace and will get blinkers back on here today.
Live Contender for Exotics
No. 3 Mage (8-5) won the Derby two weeks ago at 15-1 odds. He has done nothing wrong in his career. Some will say he got a dream set up in the Derby with the fastest half-mile time ever, but he did it fairly effortlessly. I'm looking for more value here, but I won’t let him beat me.
Looking for an expert best bet that does have Mage winning the 2023 Preakness Stakes? You'll want to head over to Preakness Stakes Best Bets: Expert Picks to Win, Superfecta, Longshots.
Preakness Stakes Superfecta Best Bet (1 | 3 | 5,6 | 5,6)
Given all of the above, I'm going with National Treasure up top and Mage in second. In third and fourth, I'm putting Perform and Red Route One.
Before the scratch, I was going to do just Perform and First Mission in the third spot, then Red Route One, Perform and First Mission in the fourth spot. With First Mission's scratch, we'll play both longshots in both positions.
Race 13 — Preakness Stakes
- Distance: 1 and 3/16 Miles
- Surface: Dirt
- Post Time: 6:50 p.m. ET, NBC
2023 Preakness Stakes Day Best Bets, Full Betting Card
In addition to the featured 148th running of the Preakness Stakes, here were our Preakness Stakes Day best bets and picks for the full betting card.
Race 6 — Pick 4: 3,7 | 1 | 1,3,6 | 6
Race 7 — Pick 5: 1 | 1,3,6,7 | 6 | 3,13 | 7,10
Race 7 — To Win: No. 1 Whitebeam (BEST BET OF THE DAY)
Race 9 — Pick 5: 6 | 3,13 | 7,10 | 9 | 1,3
Race 9 — To Win: No. 6 Gunning
Race 13 (Preakness Stakes) — To Win: No. 1 National Treasure
Race 13 (Preakness Stakes) — Exacta: 1 | 3
Race 13 (Preakness Stakes) — Superfecta: 1 | 3 | 5,6 | 5,6
Race 6 — Chick Lang Stakes Betting Picks
- Distance: 6 Furlongs
- Surface: Dirt
- Post Time: 1:29 p.m. ET
Top Pick
No. 3 Frosted Departure (8-1) was once on the Derby trail and then ran in the Pat Day Mile last time out. Although he finished fourth in that race, he did post a career-best Beyer speed figure. He’s cutting back in distance to six furlongs, where he had his last win. He will look to pick up the pieces late when a number of others get into a speed duel early.
Live Contenders
No. 7 Prince of Jericho (9-2) is a local Maryland horse. He has been bet in each of his seven starts and has only missed the board once. The turn back in distance, as well as his closing style, make him a serious contender in this spot.
Race 7 — Gallorette Stakes Betting Pick
- Distance: 1 and 1/16 Miles
- Surface: Turf
- Post Time: 2:08 p.m. ET
Top Pick
No. 1 Whitebeam (3-1) is making her second start in the United States and her second start off a six-month layoff. Trainer Chad Brown wins at a 30% clip second off the layoff. She was able to close into a slow pace last time out, showing her explosive turn of foot. There’s much more pace signed on here and she should be able to sit the ideal trip.
Race 8 — Dinner Party Stakes Betting Picks
- Distance: 1 and 1/8 Miles
- Surface: Turf
- Post Time: 2:49 p.m. ET
Top Pick
No. 1 Atone (9-5) finished last as the odds-on favorite last time out, but he had an excuse as the Fair Grounds turf course had issues this winter. He will be forwardly placed in what appears to be a fairly paceless race. He’s run over this turf course before, which is more than all but No. 6 Never Explain can say. If we get the horse we saw back in January, he wins this race.
Live Contenders
No. 6 Never Explain (10-1) won at Pimlico last year in an allowance race and has a third-place finish from his other local start. He will be forward and Flavien Prat was aboard for his win here last year too. He’s in top form coming in here, winning both of his last two starts. Trainer Shug McGaughey wins at a 22% clip with horses that won their last start.
No. 3 Easter (10-1) is a closer. He has taken money is all but one of his U.S. starts and that start was the G1 Man O War. He won first off the layoff and trainer Graham Motion is 30% second off the layoff.
Race 9 — Skipat Stakes Betting Pick
- Distance: 6 Furlongs
- Surface: Dirt
- Post Time: 3:31 p.m. ET
Top Pick
No. 6 Gunning (6-1) has a stalking style that should suit this race very well. He’s cutting back to a distance where he is a perfect 1-for-1. He has also proven he can win over a fast track or an off track, which is key as there is rain in the forecast.
Race 10 — Jim McKay Turf Sprint Stakes Betting Picks
- Distance: 5 Furlongs
- Surface: Turf
- Post Time: 4:12 p.m. ET
The Pick
No. 3 Artemus Citylimits (5-2) makes his second off the layoff. He has always fired second off the layoff with two wins, one second and third finish from four starts in this situation. He’s not facing any world beaters today and is getting class relief.
Live Contenders
No. 13 Beer Can Man (8-1) was sidelined for more than a year prior to his last start. He was bet down to favoritism but didn’t load into the gate easily, wasting energy. It was clear that he needed that race. Coming in second off the layoff and with the outside post he should be able to sit his ideal stalking trip. He’s won 50% of his turf starts and five of seven at the distance.
Race 11 — Maryland Sprint Stakes Betting Picks
- Distance: 6 Furlongs
- Surface: Dirt
- Post Time: 4:53 p.m. ET
Top Pick
No. 7 Nakatomi (5-2) is one of the only horses in here with a closing kick. He will get pace to run into. This is his third start as a 4-year-old and will look to continue to build on the prior two efforts. He’s also won at the distance.
Live Contenders
No. 10 Wondrwherecraigis (4-1) is the local horse with two wins at Pimlico. If you go back to 2021, he won back-to-back graded stakes. He won last out, which was first off a six-month layoff. He’s a need-the-lead type and will be sent hard from the start.
Race 12 — James W. Murphy Stakes Betting Pick
- Distance: 1 Mile
- Surface: Turf
- Post Time: 5:51 p.m. ET
Top Pick
No. 9 Nagirroc (8-5) has never missed the board in six career starts. Last time out was his first start as a 3-year-old and he produced his highest Beyer speed figure. He should be able to improve off that effort and it doesn’t hurt that the third-place finisher came back to win the American Turf and the fourth-place finisher won next out in a non-graded stakes. Trainer Graham Motion also adds blinkers and he’s 28% first time with blinkers.
