Smarty Jones favored in Preakness

The Preakness field is far from wide open.

Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones was made the 8-5 morning-line favorite Wednesday for the second leg of the Triple Crown, and will leave from the No. 7 post in an 11-horse field.

Lion Heart, the Derby runner-up, was the 3-1 second choice, and leaves from the No. 1 post.

The Derby was considered a wide-open race with 18 starters, although Smarty Jones and Lion Heart ended up being the top two betting choices. For Saturday's 1 3/16th-mile Preakness, unbeaten Smarty Jones and expected pacesetter Lion Heart open as the top choices by Pimlico linemaker Frank Carulli.

Smarty Jones, the first undefeated Derby winner since Seattle Slew in 1977, has won all seven of his starts.

Imperialism, who overcame a rough Derby trip to finish third, was the third choice at 5-1 and will break from the No. 8 post.

Rock Hard Ten, who finished second in the Santa Anita Derby but was disqualified to third for interference, was 6-1 and starts from gate No. 10; The Cliff's Edge, fifth in the Derby, and Eddington, third in the Wood Memorial, were both 8-1.

Complete post positions and odds, Page 2B.

-- AP