Betting guide to Preakness 2023 with expert picks, past performances

When the racing world turns its attention to Pimlico each year for the second leg of the Triple Crown, there’s only one horse with a chance to achieve immortality.

But while Kentucky Derby winner Mage will be a solid favorite when they load the field for the 148th Preakness into the starting gate Saturday, there are seven fresh challengers looking to end the quest to become the first Triple Crown winner since Justify in 2018.

And that means plenty of options for bettors in what looks to be an interesting race, with Mage as the lone Kentucky Derby entrant opting to run back two weeks later.

Who will be looking to hit the wire first at the end of the 1 3/16-mile test?

Here are the selections from our USA TODAY Network/Northeast Region staff and experts who have been top finishers at the NTRA/National Horseplayers Championship and Horseplayers World Series. (Keep checking back as we add predictions during the week):

2023 PREAKNESS FIELD

PP Horse (Jockey) Odds

1. National Treasure (Velazquez) 4-1

2. Chase The Chaos (Russell) 50-1

3. Mage (Castellano) 8/5

4. Coffeewithchris (Rodriguez) 20-1

5. Red Route One (Rosario) 6-1

6. Perform (Lynch) 15-1

7. Blazing Sevens (I. Ortiz Jr.) 6-1

8. First Mission (Saez) 5/2

Brisnet past performances via Horse Racing Nation

OUR PREAKNESS CHOICES

Steve Edelson, USA TODAY NETWORK NJ racing writer

8. First Mission is lightly raced and figures to be on the lead or pressing the pace. The win in the Lexington Stakes was impressive, with a 98 Beyer Speed Figure, and this Brad Cox-trained colt is getting better with each start.

5. Red Route One got off to a terrible start in the Arkansas Derby and ended up sixth. Throw that start out and you have a horse that always hits the board, regardless of the level of competition, and will be closing fast in the stretch.

3. Mage ran huge in the Derby, obviously, picking up a gaudy 105 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort. Can the colt summon that same kind of effort two weeks later, against a group of fresh challengers?…