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2020 Preakness Stakes Predictions

by Raphael Esparza - 10/1/2020

breeders cup

Saturday late afternoon is the running of the 145th Preakness Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown (usually the second leg). But let’s face it, this year the hype is gone for the Preakness. Why is the hype gone you ask? Tiz the Law won the Belmont Stakes in early June but lost to Authentic at the Kentucky Derby last month, so Saturday we do not have a threat to win the ‘Triple Crown’ in horse racing.

2020 has been a weird horse racing season as the Belmont Stakes ran in June, Kentucky Derby ran in September and now the Preakness Stakes running Saturday in the month of October.

Saturday’s Preakness Stakes edition features 11 entrants, and this 1 3/16 mile race is going to be very entertaining. I believe a small handful of horses could hit the board. And if you are looking for Derby favorite Tiz the Law – stop looking. Tiz the Law will be running in the Breeders Cup instead. However, keep an eye out for Art Collector, who tons of experts liked to win the Kentucky Derby before he got scratched right before the Derby draw. Here are the highlights of the field with some predictions (Odds are the morning line track odds).

1. Excession (30-1)

Not much to write up about this horse! Excession hasn’t run since March, and I just don’t see this horse having the late speed to pass by the favorites. Here is another throw out horse in my eyes.

2. Mr. Big News (12-1)

This colt ran a really good race at the Derby, and it would not shock me to see him run well at Pimlico. Mr. Big News is a horse that sends out mixed signals, and when he is good he is good but when he is bad he will stink up the track. Too many question marks for me in this race with Mr. Big News, and I see him coming up short on hitting the board.

3. Art Collector (5-2)

Art Collector was the horse I was going to bet big if he didn’t fall ill as he didn’t make the Kentucky Derby. Saturday this horse could show the horse betting world that he is the best in his class. Recent workouts show that he hasn’t missed a step. 

4. Swiss Skydiver (6-1)

Swiss Skydiver continues to impress, and she could easily steal this race from the boys. Veteran jockey Robby Albarado will get the mount for this race, replacing Tyler Gaffalione, and I believe the jockey change is an upgrade. Keep an out for this horse and she can easily hit the board.

5. Thousand Words (6-1)

Bad behavior scratched this Baffert horse in the Kentucky Derby. And if this horse keeps his cool, then we may have something here. If not, this horse will start behind and end up behind. I’m not sold on Thousand Words at the Preakness with too many other studs running.

6. Jesus’ Team (30-1)

Here is another throw out horse in my eyes. The horse has never shown me he can run with the best, and there are at least 3 really good horses running in this Preakness.

7. Ny Traffic (15-1)

This horse finished 8th in the Kentucky Derby, and his last couple of workouts have been very good. So why not throw him in the mix this Saturday? Not saying he will win this race, but I will defiantly have him in some ‘exactas’ and ‘trifectas’. Will be a bit shocked if this horse is 15-1 when they go to the gate Saturday early evening.

8. Max Player (15-1)

Here is the only horse that can say he ran all three Triple Crown races, but last time I checked you don’t get a ‘Participation Trophy’. Max Player needs to run a perfect race to just hit the board. And with Authentic next to him, I just don’t see that happening.

9. Authentic (9-5)

Authentic took the lead early in the Kentucky Derby and surprised a lot bettors winning the ‘Roses’ and now the big question is can he repeat the task Saturday at the Preakness. Saturday Authentic will likely face plenty of company up front from the start, and I see him hanging around and has a good shot of repeating at the winning circle.

10. Pneumatic (20-1)

At the end of the day, Pneumatic will be one of the longer prices on the betting board, and there is a good reason why. Here is another throw out horse in my eyes.

11. Liveyourbeastlife (30-1)

Here is another throw out horse in my eyes. Post position kills this horse, but if he gets a trip of a lifetime he could hit the board.

2020 Preakness Free Pick

$5.00 Exacta Box = $60
(Not in order)

(3) – Art Collector
(8) – Max Player
(9) – Authentic
(4) – Swiss Skydiver
(18) – Authenti

Raphael Esparza is one of the best handicappers in all sports. This weekend Esparza will have plays from NFL Football, College Football, Horse Racing, NBA Finals, MLB, WNBA Finals, Korean Baseball, Soccer, Boxing and UFC. Saturday Esparza will have a full card at Pimlico and Esparza will be releasing a 5-Unit Head-to-Head Preakness Stakes matchup. New clients can take advantage of  Doc's no-hassle $60 free picks offer and get Esparza's weekday picks .

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