Preakness Has Online Gambling Sites Humming

The first Preakness, held on May 27, 1873 was a great success and the tradition continues. This May 16th will usher in the 134 edition of the much loved horse race.

The Preakness Stakes sometimes called "The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans" because of blanket of the Maryland State flowers that are placed on the winner. Since the black-eyed susan doesn't bloom in Maryland until June, another flower Viking daisies is substituted. The Preakness is the second leg in America's thoroughbred racing Triple Crown Series. The Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and then followed by the third leg, the Belmont Stakes. It is limited to horses three years of age.

The bets are flying fast and furious on online gambling web sites offering various odds from all over the world. You can count on Big Drama getting out early and setting the pace and with the #1 spot in the gate that makes him one of the most valuable horse racing picks on the board. Some people are watching for this horse to surprise everyone at the 2009 Preakness. Mine That Bird, the Kentucky Derby idol, and Rachel Alexandra, his filly nemesis, took up their stations at Pimlico yesterday, spaced a few yards apart, but ready for what might be a historic showdown Saturday. The race is thought to be very evenly matched which is sure to be exposed in the betting.

Mine That Bird may show his tail again at Pimlico this year if he can reproduce his blistering Derby stretch run, when he ran the last quarter in about 23.1 seconds, the identical time wonder horse Secretariat made winning his 1973 Derby in record time. Rival trainers are wary of Birdie. Said Bob Baffert, "He looks great. He's going to be tough. It looks like the Derby didn't take a lot out of him." Rachel Alexandra on the other hand has won three of her last five stakes leading all the way. She is a free runner who never has been worse than second in the early part of her last five races. This race is making the online gambling sites hum with anticipation.