The Preakness is a long-shot bettor's dream, but is Laurel Park?

For the first time in history, the Preakness will be run at Laurel Park instead of Pimlico Race Course, after Pimlico closed for a major rebuild. The track change has created an entirely different backdrop for the second leg of the Triple Crown, as Laurel features wider, more sweeping turns and a much shorter run to the first turn, which could place greater importance on tactical speed, early positioning and avoiding wide trips into the opening bend. Unlike Pimlico, which long carried a reputation for quirky rail and speed biases, Laurel is generally viewed as a fairer surface overall.Advertisement