The 19-horse field at the Kentucky Derby has been cut in half for the 2013 Preakness Stakes on Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.
Derby-winner Orb will be the overwhelming favorite come post time, but there are a handful of other popular picks that bettors are considering at the Triple Crown's second leg this weekend, including Rick Pitino's Goldencents and Illinois Derby winner Departing.
Below we'll take a closer look at the Preakness field, highlighting a trio of popular picks to avoid on Saturday evening.
Despite winning the Grade III Illinois Derby last month, Departing wasn't fast enough to catch Revolutionary or Mylute at the Grade II Louisiana Derby back in March.
Both Oxbow and Mylute, who will start right alongside Departing this weekend, posted strong finishes at Churchill Downs two weeks ago and have the closing strength to outlast Departing down the stretch.
Goldencents is a popular pick to win the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, but after a disappointing 18th-place finish at the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago, bettors would be wise to avoid the Santa Anita Derby winner this weekend.
The Doug O'Neill-trained colt got off to a fast start at Churchill Downs, pulling into second place through the first quarter of a mile, but he then faded, falling way back and out of contention.
That's not to say Goldencents and jockey Kevin Krigger are going to finish dead last again this Saturday, but horse racing fans should be wary of the tandem following an eye-opening Derby performance.
Goldencents will start from post No. 2 right alongside favorite Orb on Saturday, and if he doesn't get off to a quick start, he could be forced to the back early.
After winning the Grade III Holy Bull Stakes and then finishing second in the Grade I Florida Derby, Itsmyluckyday turned in a shockingly bad performance at the Kentucky Derby on May 4, coming home 15th.
Like Derby favorites Goldencents and Verrazano, Itsmyluckyday started well but then fell off the pace late in the race.
Eddie Plesa's colt will start way on the outside from post No. 9 on Saturday, which could be tough with Orb starting opposite along the rail. He challenged Orb in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park in March but was ultimately outclassed by this weekend's favorite.
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