The Preakness Stakes has felt the horror of middle child syndrome over the decades as those kids often have the sense of not belonging, which drives their insecurity.

But the second jewel of the Triple Crown has come out of that phobia in the last few years, has become a true gem, and this year with the addition of super filly Rachel Alexandra, we could be in the territory where no man has gone before.

If she wins, Alexandra would be the first Kentucky Oaks winner to run in the Preakness and seeking to be the 5th filly to win the race. The last came in 1924 in the name of Nellie Morse.

Her stats are impressive. Unbeaten this year, she has an improving Beyer pattern since the third career start and is fresh from a 108 figure in the Oaks when she won with a Secretariat like performance. The super miss got the mile over a full length faster then the mile split in the Kentucky Derby. She is the one to beat and she'll retain Calvin Borel as he opts to bail from the Kentucky Derby hero.

There could be value somewhere but know that in 22 of the last 24 years somebody that ran in the Derby won the Preakness, but only 8 posted the magical parlay and since 1970 only 6 Preakness heroes skipped the Derby.

As far as Big Drama is concern, he had his number taken down in the Swale but brings brilliant speed and will likely duel with Rachel early on.

Terrain has grinded out a nice career banking over $500,000 with only 3 wins and he's in the great hands of Albert Stall but he'll need a traffic cop to get through the parade on Saturday.

The question on everybody's mind is was the Derby result a fluke? Whatever you think, the way Mine That Bird won makes him a must play in the gimmicks.

Musket Man is game, consistent, he's handled any kind of going and he was only a nose out of the Derby exacta.

Friesan Fire has trained fast but has some issues and there are others with designs on the lead in this race.

General Quarters could be just chasing a dream trying to find that bottled lightning and he has his work cut out while Flying Private is still eligible for an entry level allowance race and will be lucky to be mid-pack in Baltimore after a horrible try at Churchill.

Favoritism may go to Pioneerof the Nile off consistency alone. He's a nice horse, will have to step up as he's already had a taxing campaign but he's coming to the race right.

Gary Stute's dad Mel won the Preakness with Snow Chief and the Kid will try to duplicate that feat with Papa Clem. He has a nice tactical style and should be in the mix.

Those betting the NBA playoffs might be all over Take the Points and this guy has some upside to him. He's not yet shown his best stuff and he could get away at the windows.

Tone It Down has that man Todd Pletcher in his corner.

Luv Gov will be a huge number after just breaking his maiden over a sloppy strip.

Handicapping this year's Preakness and isolating the winner presents the usual challenge and be careful before just assuming a bias or sharp turns will favor a particular runner. Like the Derby, it is not easy to go wire to wire in Baltimore as in the last 11 years, the leader after a half mile has not been able to finish any better than fourth.

The money spot for this race in the last decade or so has been the superfecta, which has paid over $4,600 on the average so let's shoot there for the glory.

Key Pioneerof the Nile on top only with 5 in the $1 superfecta for a $60 wager. The 5 are Rachel Alexandra, Papa Clem, Mine That Bird, Take the Points and Terrain.