Odds ride with Barbaro

BALTIMORE – Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was made the even-money favorite Wednesday for the $1 million Preakness Stakes and its nine-horse field – the smallest since 2000.

The unbeaten Barbaro will leave from the No. 6 post position Saturday, the same post 2004 Derby winner Smarty Jones left from before winning the second leg of the Triple Crown. The post has produced 15 Preakness winners since 1909, the most from any starting gate.

Barbaro’s Derby rivals were the next two betting choices. Brother Derek, the Derby morning-line favorite who finished in a dead heat for fourth. He was made the 3-1 second pick and will leave from the No. 5 post, just inside Barbaro.

Sweetnorthernsaint, seventh in the Derby, was listed at 4-1 by Pimlico oddsmaker Frank Carulli. The Illinois Derby winner drew the No. 7 post.

Asked where he thinks Barbaro’s odds will wind up by post time, Carulli said, “Even money, perhaps a notch lower. I think the wise guys will be coming in on Brother Derek, maybe even Sweetnorthernsaint.”

The six other 3-year-olds in the field are new shooters, with Withers Stakes winner Bernardini, 8-1, leaving from the No. 8 post.

There was some confusion during the selection process. Barbaro’s trainer, Michael Matz, chose third during the televised post-position show, and picked No. 4. The post had been taken with the first pick by George Weaver, who trains Greeley’s Legacy

Told of his error, Matz chose again and went with No. 6. There was a question about whether he made his second choice within the 60-second limit, but Michael Hopkins, executive director of the Maryland Racing Commission, said Matz did.