After all the rumors about these two missing the Preakness, it turns out that they’ll run after all.

The second leg of the Triple Crown trail will be held at the Pimlico Race Course where the 134th Preakness Stakes will be featured. Kentucky Derby champion Mine That Bird will, just like any other horse that won at Churchill Downs, look to win the second leg and be that closer from winning the Triple Crown. Of course, that’s easier said than done.

For those of you who didn’t know, Mine That Bird, despite winning the Kentucky Derby, wasn’t scheduled to run in Pimlico. The horse’s handlers felt that running the second leg of the trail won’t be ideal for the derby champion and they would rather skip the Preakness and run in New York for the Belmont Stakes instead, just like the horse’s dad.

On the other hand, Friesan Fire didn’t have the luxury to choose what race to skip. Just a few days after the Derby, the thoroughbred was found to be in bad shape after injuring his left front foot while coming out of the gates at Churchill Downs. Everybody thought the horse was a goner for sure and would be forced to miss the Preakness Stakes.

But since Friesan Fire WAS the heavy favorite to win the Derby, (before Mine that Bird came up with the flukiest win ever in horse racing…) and his handlers know how much money is at stake in the 2009 Triple Crown trail, they’re giving the thoroughbred the green light to run and probably injure his left front foot.

So who would you rather be riding on? Mine That Bird who came up with the very unlikely win at Churchill Downs or Friesan Fire who had the very unlikely loss in the Derby?

Mine That Bird is the leading runner so far by millionaire Birdstone, who carved out a permanent niche in racing history by foiling Smarty Jones’ Triple Crown bid in the 2004 Belmont S. (G1). A son of 1996 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Grindstone, and a grandson of 1990 Derby hero Unbridled, Birdstone stamped himself as a classic contender when capturing the Champagne S. (G1) at two. Unfortunately, the spring of his three-year-old season did not go according to plan, and he could manage only eighth in the Run for the Roses.

Friesan Fire represents a fusion of American and Australian bloodlines of the highest order. He inherits an abundance of stamina from his sire, A.P. Indy, who captured the 1 1/2-mile Belmont S. (G1) and 1 1/4-mile Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) en route to Horse of the Year honors in 1992. A.P. Indy, himself a son of 1977 Triple Crown legend Seattle Slew, has enjoyed a highly successful career at stud.

Who you gonna’ pick? Unfortunately, you still can’t bet on unicorns for these horse racing events.

Can Mine That Bird win the 2009 Preakness Stakes? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Mine That Bird 4.75

Friesan Fire 8.50

Big Drama 19.00

Flying Private 21.00

General Quarters 10.00

Luv Gov 31.00

Musket Man 9.00

Papa Clem 9.00

Pioneer of The Nile 6.00

Rachel Alexandra 2.50

Take The Points 23.00

Terrain 26.00

Tone It Down 31.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more Preakness Stakes betting odds. Want to watch the 134th Preakness Stakes live? Get sporting events tickets online now.

Mine That Bird Friesan Fire