Thoroughbred horseracing experts are beginning to speak up about their picks for the Preakness Stakes, scheduled for a 6:16 p.m. start tomorrow at Pimlico Race Course, in Baltimore.

Animal Kingdom, the three-year-old colt that won the Kentucky Derby on May 7, is the early favorite to win the 1 3/16-mile race on dirt, which carries a purse of $1 million.

The Preakness is the second leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, which awards $5 million to the owner of horse that wins the Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes.

Early predictions:

Joe Drape (New York Times)
Animal Kingdom

Neil Milbert (Chicago Tribune)
Animal Kingdom

Andrew Beyer (Washington Post)
Animal Kingdom

John Cherwa (Los Angeles Times)
Mucho Macho Man

Jerry Brown (Thoro-Graph)
Mucho Macho Man

The Daily Racing Form puts Animal Kingdom as the favorite at 2-1 odds.

The full post positions and odds for the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes are:

  1. Astrology 15-1
  2. Norman Asbjornson 30-1
  3. King Congie 20-1
  4. Flashpoint 20-1
  5. Shackleford 12-1
  6. Sway Away 15-1
  7. Midnight Interlude 15-1
  8. Dance City 12-1
  9. Mucho Macho Man 6-1
  10. Dialed In 9-2
  11. Animal Kingdom 2-1
  12. Isn't He Perfect 3-1
  13. Concealed Identity 30-1
  14. Mr. Commons 20-1
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