As the Road to the Kentucky Derby is underway, the Triple Crown’s other jewel is also only a few months away. The Preakness Stakes is one of the three races that comprise the Triple Crown, and now that it’s on its way, fans are curious as to what they should expect in the race.
From the lineup to the predictions and even the ticket sales, everyone is waiting for an update. To know what the Preakness Stakes this year has in store for you, here are the things you might want to know about the event.
First, let us talk about the predictions of the race. Since we are still months away from the Preakness Stakes’ exact date, the official list of contenders has not been finalized yet. However, there are so many predictions that have been made already. To know who is predicted to take part in the Preakness Stakes, here is a list of the horses that will likely participate.
The most certain thing we know is that whoever wins the Kentucky Derby will be the favorite for the Preakness Stakes, which is why the prediction is pointing to the four favorite horses of the Kentucky Derby. Here the four horses that will likely win the Derby and enter the Preakness as a favorite.
As the top points earner in the Derby Prep Races, Essential Quality is the Derby’s early favorites. He also has an undefeated record in all three races he participated in, from the Maiden Special Weight to the Derby Preps.
Although Life is Good has only participated in one derby prep race, he proved that he has the power to dominate a race by winning the Sham Stakes this month. Let us also not ignore that he is a Bob Baffert horse who is also handled by rider Mike Smith, a Hall of Famer duo in the horse racing industry.
Keepmeinmind has finished three derby prep races where he ended up in the third, second, and even won one of the races. He is currently the second-highest point earner in the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
He almost got the BC Juvenile race when he ran a three and ¼ length behind Essential Quality. However, he eventually was put on the third spot as he approached the finish line and lost by two lengths.
Jackie’s Warrior made headlines as he dominated the Champagne Stakes in Belmont last October and the Saratoga Special Stakes that also took place last year. Both races are considered a top-level race, making Jackie’s Warrior a favorite for the BC Juvenile, where he only finished as the fourth runner-up. Although he fell short in the BC Juvenile race, he still got the ability to take on his contenders in the Kentucky Derby.
These are the only names that are predicted to be in the 146th running of the Preakness Stakes. For any updates regarding the lineup and odds for the Preakness Stakes, you can visit TVG at any time as they provide up-to-date information for the race.
Predicted Winner
As for the predicted winner of the upcoming Preakness Stakes, let us just base it on the past winner trends. If you haven’t noticed yet, most Preakness Stakes winners are mostly the ones who also dominated the Kentucky Derby.
This is what bettors are considering each time they place their bet for the Preakness Stakes. Although some may opt to bet for a non-derby winner, most experienced bettors will always go for the Derby winner.
Another thing to consider in predicting the Preakness winner is the trainer and the jockey. Throughout the years, it was proven that jockeys have a huge impact on the race outcome. It is best to choose the horse who will be ridden by the top jockeys in the race.
On the other hand, trainers are the ones who honed these racehorses to be at their best, which is why fans and bettors also favor horses with top-rated trainers. Their achievements show the trainer’s capability to produce a great horse. Moreover, it’s likely that how they trained past winners is how they are training their current hopefuls.
Based on these trends, it is highly likely that one of the mentioned horses above will dominate the Preakness Stakes. But before they can do that, they still need to go through the Derby Preps and the Kentucky Derby itself.
Admission
Last year’s Preakness Stakes prohibited audiences from witnessing the race on-site. But that will likely change this year as tickets and packages are now being available for whoever wants to watch the race at the Pimlico race track.
The ticket price ranges from $40 to $720, depending on the type of admission. Audiences will be expected to follow health and safety protocols imposed within the location to ensure everyone’s safety. This attempt is made as a response to the COVID-19 threat.
Despite Preakness Stakes being months away from today, fans and bettors are starting to look for any early updates regarding the event. These early predictions feed their curiosity and aid their excitement until the event comes. And when it does, they’re ready to witness and bet on the best horses in the race.
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