Top Jockey/Horse Combos for the Preakness Stakes

by Bodog Racebook | May 20 2011

The short 1 3/16 mile distance of the Preakness Stakes - taking place this year on Saturday, May 21 - means that the winning trip must be flawless - and the trophy often goes to the pairing with the best chemistry.

Here's a look at the top jockey/horse combinations for the 2011 Preakness Stakes:

Paired up only days before the Kentucky Derby, Animal Kingdom and John Velazquez combined to win the biggest race of their careers so far.

Velazquez gained the mount after Animal Kingdom's connections decided that Robby Albarado, injured in the days leading up to the Kentucky Derby, did not represent their best chance to win. And Velazquez was available to ride only because his mount, Uncle Mo, had been scratched.

A series of unforeseen circumstances combined to produce the 2011 Kentucky Derby champion – will it happen again on Saturday? Trained by Graham Motion, Animal Kingdom will go into the Preakness Stakes with a career record of 5-3-2-0 and earnings of $1,738,700 – while Velazquez will go into the race looking to add the middle jewel of the Triple Crown series to his lengthy list of accomplishments, which already includes the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes (won in 2007).

Looking to bounce back with a big performance after being excluded from the Kentucky Derby, Robby Albarado has picked up the mount on King Congie for the Preakness Stakes. Albarado will be one of three jockeys in the field who has won the Preakness Stakes before – he did so in 2007 aboard Curlin.

And King Congie will need every bit of Albarado's experience; though he started his career on dirt with two races in 2010, he has raced exclusively on turf/synthetics in 2011.

Trained by Thomas Albertrani – who already has a Preakness Stakes win under his belt – King Congie has earned $174,290 from six starts and has a record of 2-0-2.

Julien Leparoux has been aboard for each of Dialed In's five career starts, from his maiden-breaking victory at the end of 2010 to his best finish so far, a win in the Florida Derby (G1) in April. The 2009 Eclipse Award-winning jockey was also aboard Dialed In for his eighth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, a performance that was hindered by the relatively slow pace.
With the Preakness Stakes setting up to be a speedy affair, the Nick Zito trainee should have all the pace he needs to return to the winner's circle with Leparoux this Saturday. Dialed In has five career starts and is 3-1-0; he has earned $879,206.

Which jockey/horse combination do you think will win the 2011 Preakness Stakes? Bet on Triple Crown horse racing at the Bodog Racebook!