Afleet Alex tabbed Preakness Stakes favorite

BALTIMORE (AP) — Afleet Alex was made the 5-2 favorite for the Preakness Stakes on Wednesday, while Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo was the fourth choice at 6-1 and drew the ominous No. 13 post.

The last time the Derby winner did not go off as the Preakness favorite was 2001, when Monarchos was the slight second choice behind Point Given, who won the race.

Afleet Alex, the Arkansas Derby winner, earned the favorite's role after a strong run in the Derby ended with a third-place finish, just a length behind Giacomo. Afleet Alex leaves from the No. 12 post — the same gate he broke from in the Derby.

Giacomo came into the Derby with just one victory before pulling off the second biggest upset at 50-1 odds.

The outside posts for the favorite and Derby winner do not bode well for a winning effort. Since 1983, horses leaving from the No. 8 post and outward are 4-for-73 in the Preakness. Since 1917, Preakness starters leaving from the No. 13 post are 0-for-12.

A full field of 14 3-year-olds was entered for Saturday's 1 3-16th-mile race, the first time since 1992 the Preakness drew the maximum entries. High Fly, 10th in the Derby, was the second choice at 9-2 and Derby runner-up Closing Argument was the third choice at 5-1. High Fly drew the No. 2 post, and Closing Argument leaves from the No. 7 gate.