Preakness Stakes 2023 predictions, odds: Expert picks for win ...

The 2023 Preakness Stakes will try to live up to the thrilling Kentucky Derby when the race begins on Saturday at Pimlico Race Course. Mage closed at 15-1 in his Kentucky Derby victory and is the lone horse from that race in the 2023 Preakness Stakes field. Mage is the 8-5 favorite in the 2023 Preakness Stakes odds, while National Treasure (4-1) and Blazing Sevens (6-1) are two of the other 2023 Preakness Stakes contenders. Should you include any of them in your 2023 Preakness Stakes bets? The Preakness Stakes 2023 features a significantly smaller field than the one Mage beat at Churchill Downs, slimming from 18 to just seven Preakness Stakes horses.

Post time is scheduled for 7:01 p.m. ET at Pimlico Race Course. With so much to consider while making your 2023 Preakness Stakes picks, a little expert help can go a long way.

The Preakness Stakes is held on Armed Forces Day each year at Pimlico Race Course, taking place two weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks before the Belmont Stakes. It is colloquially referred to as "The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans" because a blanket of Maryland's state flower is placed across the winning horse. The Preakness annually ranks second in attendance in North America among equestrian events, sitting behind the Kentucky Derby. Seven early editions of the Preakness were run under handicap conditions, with the favored horses being assigned to carry heavier weight. The race is limited to 14 horses, but there are only seven in this year's field. 

Given all the history, there's a method to picking which horses to focus on for exacta, trifecta and superfecta bets in a Preakness Stakes like this, and SportsLine expert Jody Demling knows what it is. He can help you make the best 2023 Preakness Stakes picks possible.

A fixture in the horse racing world who has been writing about, talking about and betting on races for years, Demling has called the Preakness winner nine times in the last 18 years, and nailed his 2022 Preakness exacta. Demling also enters the 2023 Preakness Stakes having nailed the winner of the Belmont Stakes four of the last five years, including an exacta in 2022 with Mo Donegal and Nest. He also called Flightline's win at the Breeders' Cup Classic last November. 

Additionally, he has hit 10 of the last 15 Derby-Oaks doubles at Churchill Downs. That means he held a ticket with the winners of both races all but five times in the last 15 tries. Anyone who has followed him on these races is way up. Now, he's sharing all of his 2023 Preakness Stakes bets here.

Top 2023 Preakness Stakes expert picks

Here's a refresher on these types of bets from SportsLine's Jody Demling:

Preakness Stakes Exacta: Pick the first- and second-place finishers in the correct order. A $2 exacta returned $25.80 at the 2022 Preakness Stakes with Early Voting and Epicenter.

Preakness Stakes Trifecta: Pick the first-, second- and third-place finishers in the correct order. A $1 trifecta returned $66.50 at the 2022 Preakness Stakes with Early Voting, Epicenter and Creative Minister.

Preakness Stakes Superfecta: Pick the first-, second-, third- and fourth-place finishers in the correct order. A $1 superfecta returned $162.90 at the 2022 Preakness Stakes with Early Voting, Epicenter, Creative Minister and Secret Oath.

While Demling has no quibbles with the favorite status of Mage, he plans to hold tickets with National Treasure (4-1) and is using a middle-of-the-pack longshot who could really spice up the payouts. You can see his picks here.

How to make 2023 Preakness Stakes bets

Demling has specific recommendations for exacta, trifecta and superfecta wagers so you can cover all your bases at the Preakness Stakes 2023. He's sharing them over at SportsLine.

So which horses do you take? And in what combinations? Visit SportsLine to get Demling's picks for exacta, trifecta and superfecta bets for the 2023 Preakness Stakes.

2023 Preakness Stakes odds, futures