Kentucky Derby winner Authentic looks to add a second American classic when he headlines Saturday’s 145th edition of the Preakness Stakes.
A field of 11 entered Monday morning at Pimlico Race Course, including the 9-5 favorite Authentic and his stablemate Thousand Words, Toyota Blue Grass winner Art Collector and the Grade 1-winning filly Swiss Skydiver.
Authentic and Thousand Words, a late scratch from the Kentucky Derby when he reared and fell in the paddock, look to give Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert his eighth Preakness win. The son of Into Mischief drew post 9 in the field of 11 and will again be ridden by Hall of Famer John Velazquez, seeking his first Preakness victory.
The Preakness, moved from its traditional third Saturday in May date due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, did not attract Belmont Stakes winner and Derby runner-up Tiz The Law. The connections of the Constitution colt opted the bypass the 1 3/16-mile Preakness in order to train up to the Breeders’ Cup Classic Nov. 7 at Keeneland Race Course.
Art Collector, who won Keeneland’s key Derby prep in the Blue Grass, goes as the 5-2 second choice in the Preakness. He was forced to miss the Derby with a foot issue.
Swiss Skydiver, winner of the Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga and second in the Kentucky Oaks, goes as the 6-1 co-third choice with Thousand Words. Swiss Skydiver could become the sixth filly to win the Preakness and the first since Rachel Alexandra in 2009.
Here’s the field, with jockeys and morning-line odds, for Saturday’s Preakness:
1. Excession (Sheldon Russell), 30-1;
2. Mr. Big News (Gabriel Saez), 12-1;
3. Art Collector (Brian Hernandez Jr.), 5-2
4. Swiss Skydiver (Robby Albarado), 6-1;
5. Thousand Words (Florent Geroux), 6-1;
6. Jesus’ Team (Jevian Toledo), 30-1;
7. Ny Traffic (Horacio Karamanos), 15-1;
8. Max Player (Paco Lopez), 15-1;
9. Authentic (John Velazquez), 9-5;
10. Pneumatic (Joe Bravo), 20-1;
11. Liveyourbeastlife (Trevor McCarthy), 30-1.
