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Preakness Stakes 2017: What is a Superfecta?

By Nathaniel Reeves

May 6, 2017; Louisville , KY, USA; John Velazquez aboard Always Dreaming (5) leads the field and wins the 2017 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2017; Louisville , KY, USA; John Velazquez aboard Always Dreaming (5) leads the field and wins the 2017 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here’s what you need to know about placing a Superfecta bet on the 2017 Preakness Stakes this Saturday.

Following an impressive victory by Always Dreaming in the Kentucky Derby, the attention of the horse racing world will now turn to the 2017 Preakness Stakes this Saturday at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

The Preakness Stakes is one of the most anticipated annual events in horse racing and dates all the way back to 1873 with a purse totaling $1.5 million. Always Dreaming enters the weekend as a heavy favorite to capture the second leg of the Triple Crown, which would set up a thrilling finale at the Belmont Stakes on June 11.

Beyond the excitement of the race, fans will get an opportunity to take home some cash by placing bets on the race. The total handle at the 2016 Preakness exceeded $85 million, with only $19 million of that coming from Pimlico itself.

As Always Dreaming has very short odds at 4-5,  betting on him to win will not be lucrative for gamblers. Instead, fans will attempt to take home a much more significant chunk of change through placing exotic wagers.

For those who really feeling adventurous, a Superfecta is one of the most popular exotic bets at any horse racing event. A Superfecta involves correctly picking the top four finishers in the exact order in a given race.   

While the Kentucky Derby Superfecta included two favorites with champion Always Dre

aming and fourth-place finisher Classic Empire, it still offered a huge payout. Thanks to Lookin at Lee (33/1) and Battle of Midway (40/1), bettors won a whopping $75,974.50 for a correct $1 Superfecta.

Related Story: Preakness Stakes and post position odds

As the Preakness odds quickly get longer after Always Dreaming and Classic Empire, Saturday’s Superfecta could produce a similar number. Even a Superfecta with the next two favorites in Lookin at Lee (10/1) and Cloud Computing (12/1) would lead to some hefty winnings.

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