Preakness Stakes Betting Could be Much Hotter This Year

With the 2009 Kentucky Derby presenting Gambling911.com with its biggest traffic day in the website's 8 ½ years existence, the focus now shifts to the Preakness Stakes.

Traditionally, the amount of action on this event is much less than the Derby, though it still ranks right up there with other top gambling events. 

And this year Gambling911.com is anticipating traffic to surpass last year's race. 

Mine That Bird won as the biggest longshot in Saturday's race paying out 80-1 odds at the online sportsbook Sportsinteraction.com.

"With the recession in full force there are many believing there is another long shot waiting to win in the Preakness," says Payton O'Brien of Gambling911.com.  "It's already happened twice in four years that a huge underdog has won the Kentucky Derby."

Giacomo won in 2005, paying 50/1 odds. 

The Preakness Stakes would be even bigger if Kentucky Oaks sensation Rachel Alexandra were to participate.  She's the filly that won Friday's race by a landslide.

But Rachel Alexandra's owners have all but ruled out a Preakness Stakes appearance.

Dolph Morrison, who bred and co-owns Rachel Alexandra, all but ruled out a run versus males in the May 16 Preakness in the immediate aftermath of the Oaks, saying he believed the Triple Crown should serve as a showcase for the future stallions of the industry.

Rachel Alexandra paid a mere $2.60 on Friday but returned $8.40 to those who backed her in March in the only Kentucky Oaks Future Wager pool offered this year by Churchill.

All the hype about Rachel Alexandra didn't exactly equate to an increase in betting on the Kentucky Oaks as numbers were down from $9.1 million last year to $6.8 million this year.

Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher