Kentucky Derby 2020: Early Preakness Predictions After Churchill Downs Results

There will be no Triple Crown winner this yr after First rate defeated Tiz the Laws at Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, however there might per chance perhaps peaceable be drama at the Preakness Stakes.

The COVID-19 pandemic created an adjusted schedule, with the Belmont Stakes becoming the first leg of the American Classics. It might per chance perhaps all result in Pimlico on Oct. 3, an tournament that can be held without followers adore the opposite two races.

The stretched schedule might per chance perhaps succor the tip contenders while creating extra relaxation between races, although another challengers might per chance perhaps surprise the field. 

It’d be a few weeks sooner than all americans knows the legitimate entries, however listed below are early predictions for the upcoming tournament.

Preakness Stakes Picks

Snatch: Tiz the Laws

A spread of of us doubtless misplaced money on Tiz the Laws at the Kentucky Derby as the percentages-on favorite, however the horse will peaceable be a top contender in each flee it runs.

The three-yr-ancient had obtained six of his old seven races, along with the Belmont and a dominant showing at the Travers Stakes in August. He carried out successfully at Churchill Downs, running an very supreme better time on the 1¼-mile flee than his 5.5-measurement victory at the Travers Stakes.

First rate changed into factual enough to withhold off Tiz the Laws, however it might per chance perhaps no longer occur on every occasion, and his owners at Sackatoga Stables are already having a look ahead.

“Despite the indisputable fact that it didn’t flip out the means we hoped it would, no doubt no shame within the flee he ran,” Sackatoga’s managing partner Jack Knowlton mentioned, by technique of Matt Stahl of Horse Racing Nation. “He’ll be abet. Hopefully he’ll map out of the flee successfully and we will look to head onto Baltimore and with any luck gather that and gather some revenge.”

If Tiz the Laws does enter the Preakness, he should always peaceable again be the favorite with a possibility to quit the yr abet on top.

Bid: Art work Collector

Art work Collector changed into regarded as certainly some of the tip challengers at the Kentucky Derby till a foot hurt precipitated him to scratch. The factual records is the horse have to be abet to corpulent strength for the next flee.

“After we set the Derby within the abet of us, our focal point is on the Preakness and attempting to gather him there. That is the set up my mindset is,” coach Tommy Drury mentioned, per Byron King of Bloodhorse. “The largest reason I are seeking to see the Derby is I are seeking to explore who now we have to always flee against within the Preakness.”

Drury added the horse returned to practising Friday and is on blueprint to compete at Pimlico.

At corpulent strength, Art work Collector is an elite runner who had wins in each of his final five begins, along with the Blue Grass Stakes and the Ellis Park Derby.

This momentum might per chance perhaps elevate him to a develop within the money at the Preakness Stakes.

Demonstrate: Pneumatic

Pneumatic is another horse that skipped the Kentucky Derby, however this time it changed into by desire after competing at the Pegasus in August.

“He’s a gigantic, heavy-framed horse, I develop no longer receive any individual thinks a three-week turnaround changed into optimal for him,” mentioned David Fiske, racing manager for proprietor Ron Winchell, by technique of David Grening of Day-to-day Racing Scheme. “Thought A might per chance perhaps be to strive to gather him willing for Baltimore.”

Pneumatic impressed at the Pegasus, taking first design at Monmouth Park. This adopted up a fourth-design develop at the Belmont Stakes in June.

The added relaxation will be precious going into October’s flee against what is going to be a smaller field than typical and not using a Triple Crown on the line.

Trainer Steve Asmussen has obtained the Preakness twice in his profession and might per chance perhaps receive the colt willing for the aggressive flee.