Preakness Stakes 2017 Trifecta Picks, Advice and Tips

The second leg of the famed Triple Crown is the Preakness Stakes. Always Dreaming’s thrilling Derby win has propelled him to odds on favorite for the “Run for Blackeyed Susans” at Pimlico. Here’s my 2017 Preakness Stakes Trifecta pick.

2017 Preakess Stakes Trifecta Part Wheel Bet

• Key 1: Always Dreaming, Classic Empire
• Key 2: Always Dreaming, Classic Empire, Hence
• Key 3: Always Dreaming, Classic Empire, Hence, Gunnevera

Total Cost: $8, $1 per combination

What is a Trifecta Wheel?

Trifecta Part Wheel Bet: Select horses to key into each position: first, second and third. Final order does matter depending on how you key each horse.

You’ll also notice the Preakness field is only 10 horses compared to the Derby’s 20. That means we can choose fewer horses for each key because fewer horses are running. Keying all 10 horses would be wasteful in the Preakness, while keying 10 for the Derby would make more sense given the larger field.

Efficiency Matters

Trifecta Part Wheels are harder to win because you must select and key horses correctly. However a part wheel is more efficient than a box. You will invest less bankroll to potentially win more money.

Preakness Stakes 2017 Trifecta Betting Advice

I recommend a 4 horse Trifecta Part Wheel, keying 2 horses in the first position, 3 horses in the second position, then 4 horses in the third. Why?

A 4 horse Trifecta Part Wheel using my recommendation is only $8, $1 per combination. The cost is relatively cheap because we’re only putting 2 horses in the first key. That allows some flexibility in the third key, so I picked 4 likely horses after heavily favored Always Dreaming and Classic Empire.

Let’s look at the latest Preakess Stakes Odds to Win:

Let’s assemble our Trifecta Part Wheel keys from this table. Always Dreaming and Classic Empire are favored to win. We’ll put them in the first key, second and third keys. Next let’s pick a different second or third position horse. Hence fits the bill and had a respectable Derby run. We place him in the second and third keys. Now let’s pick a fourth horse for the third key only. Gunnevera gets the nod, just in case he sneaks in the third position on May 20, 2017.

2017 Preakness Stakes Trifecta Part Wheel Bet

• Key 1: Always Dreaming, Classic Empire
• Key 2: Always Dreaming, Classic Empire, Hence
• Key 3: Always Dreaming, Classic Empire, Hence, Gunnevera

Total Cost: $8, $1 per combination

How to Place a Preakness Stakes Trifecta Wheel Bet?

Easy. Signup at one of our excellent racebooks. Visit the Preakness Stakes betting page. Select a “Trifecta Bet”, then choose “Wheel”. Enter my picks on your ticket. Remember to enter each horse, from each key, in the recommended position.

More Trifecta betting information, cost tables and advice:

1. Trifecta Wheel Betting – Includes trifecta wheel equation, calculations and cost tables.
2. Trifecta Box Betting – Discussion of Trifecta Box Bet, cost calculation and tables

Good luck from Ron Halfback and the gang!