General A Rod 30-1 Odds to Win Preakness Stakes: Too Slow or Too Underrated?

Both internal (4f) and Final Pace figures suggest that General A Rod is too slow to win the 2014 Preakness Stakes race on Saturday.  His odds were set at 30-1.

Still, he will be ridden by Javier Castellano, the leading jockey based on money earned in 2013 and year-to-date 2014.

It’s interesting to note that General A Rod’s odds to win are nearly twice as long as what they opened at (opening at 18/1). 

He’ll start at the number 2 post position.  11 horses have won from this position in Preakness Stakes history.

Odds to win the Preakness Stakes 2014 as of Friday May 16, 2014 (afternoon lines):

California Chrome to win Preakness YES -155, NO +140 (post position 3).

That said, with a quick start from the rail, General A Rod could stand a much better chance of winning the Preakness.  The General did get stuck in early traffic at this year’s Kentucky Derby, thus impacting his performance.

One thing is for sure, at 30-1 odds there is definitely some value here.

1. Dynamic Impact 10/1 (was 18/1)
2. General A Rod 30/1 (was 18/1)
3. California Chrome -155 (was +135)
4. Ring Weekend 43/1 (was 30/1)
5. Bayern 16/1 (was 10/1)
6. Ria Antonia 34/1 (was 40/1)
7. Kid Cruz 21/1 (was 20/1)
8. Social Inclusion 9/1 (was 3.5/1)
9. Pablo Del Monte 33/1 (was 18/1)
10. Ride On Curlin 8/1 (no change)

- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com