There are many tips that were valid in the Kentucky Derby that can be used when labeling the best bets in the 2011 Preakness Stakes. There are nine unfamiliar horses that deserve a look because just like the Derby, the winner of this race may be as unexpected as Animal Kingdom’s magical Run for the Roses. Sway Away, the son of 2005 Preakness winner Afleet Alex and grandson of 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, has seen incremental increases in distance lately. His most recent trip around the track in April at the Arkansas Derby saw the horse taking a short lead through the stretch before being passed by Archarcharch in the final straight-away to finish just out of the money at 3¼ lengths back. Entered into the Derby field, this horse was passed up due to insufficient graded stakes results, but Sway Away as a +1250 favorite, should not be discounted at Pimlico after drawing a favorable #6 post.

One horse to stay away from is Dance City at +900. His trainer, Todd Pletcher, won the Belmont with Rags to Riches four years ago, and last year claimed his first Kentucky Derby as Super Saver won with Calvin Borel aboard to end his futility streak at 24 at Churchill Downs. Pletcher has never been able to settle on a consistent jockey though, using both John Velazquez and Javier Castellano before settling on Ramon Dominguez in Baltimore. Like several others, Dance City will be hoping for a slower pace on Saturday if he is to finish in the money. His horse racing odds at SBGGlobal.com seem a little more generous because he drew the 8th post position, but don’t let that fool you.

Dialed In’s trainer Nick Zito and his crew have the motivation of winning a special bonus of over $5 million for their successes of the spring at Gulfstream and at Pimlico. The extra motivation could finally leave Julien Leparoux with the swift horse we’ve come to expect when we see that name as it heads up to the post. Dialed In was expected to win the Triple Crown by quite a few people this year, and although he didn’t win the first leg, Dialed In comes into this race as a +450 favorite to redeem himself, and I expect him to be a part of the majority of Saturday’s winning tickets.

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