[May 20, 2005] Bodog.com Preakness Odds Favor ''Afleet Alex'' at 5/2 over Derby Winner Giacomo at 6/1; Leading Online Sportsbook Bets Preakness Wagering May Surpass Kentucky Derby Tweet SAN JUAN, Costa Rica --(Business Wire)-- May 20, 2005 -- Despite a stunning victory in the Derby as a 50-1 long shot, Giacomo currently lists longer odds (6/1) from online sportsbook Bodog.com for this Saturday's Preakness than three horses he defeated: Afleet Alex (5-2), High Fly (9-2) and Closing Argument (5-1). (For the most up to date odds see http://bodog.com/sports-betting/horse-racing.jsp) "Most bettors go with the expected favorite," said Calvin Ayre, founder and CEO of Bodog.com. "The Preakness has always been a gambler's race for a host of reasons. Coming just two weeks after we've seen many of these horses run in the Derby, the Preakness comes as a shorter race with a more limited field." He added that many of the factors that lead to upsets like the Derby were eliminated. "In this race," he said, "the betting strongly favors the favorites." Giacomo's unexpected victory at Churchill Downs also made a winner of online sportsbooks like Bodog.com, resulting in a 40 percent hold (profit). The average hold on a horse race for the Internet books is just shy of 20 percent. A long shot win at Saturday's Preakness may prove to be even more profitable yet. Ayre says wagering on the Preakness is likely to be even greater than the Derby because many more people will be motivated to bet long shots with the hope of striking it rich. 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. Ayre added that although six of the last eight horses that won the Kentucky Derby have also won the Preakness, this year's 50/1 long shot Derby win by Giacomo is likely to mean that trend won't continue. This is why the horse fell behind three more consistent runners in Bodog.com's odds for the Preakness. Ayre says, "We'll have to wait and see if the betting patterns change that." While plenty of sports analysts, writers and commentators are offering their own opinions on the Preakness' outcome, Bodog.com lines and odds show what the fans, placing approximately $1 million or more in wagers at Bodog.com, expect before Saturday's race. Bodog.com Sports Casino Poker located in San Jose, Costa Rica, is federally licensed by the Costa Rican and UK governments. One of the pioneers in the field, Bodog.com is the top ranked US facing online gambling brand, with highest site traffic amongst US gaming web sites according to Hitwise. Bodog.com is valued at over US $1 billion and ranked in the Power 25 online companies by eGaming Review. Bodog.com Poker & Sports Marketing Conference, www.bodogconference.com, will take place in Las Vegas July 6 & 7, 2005, attracting the leaders of the online gambling industry. -0- *T Post; Horse; Odds 1. Malibu Moonshine; 20-1 2. High Fly; 9-2 3. Noble Causeway; 10-1 4. Greeley's Galaxy; 13-1 5. Scrappy T; 20-1 6. Hal's Image; 50-1 7. Closing Argument; 5-1 8. Galloping Grocer; 30-1 9. Wilko; 10-1 10. Sun King; 15-1 11. High Limit; 12-1 12. Afleet Alex; 5-2 13. Giacomo; 6-1 14. Going Wild; 30-1 *T [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]