Second amongst the Triple Crown thoroughbred racing season is the Preakness Stakes. Held each year after the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness has a distinctly different and unique culture all of its own. At the beginning of Preakness Week is the marquee of “Get Your Preak-On.” Unlike the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness is a lot less about history and tradition. The Preakness is best known as a big party where everyone lets their hair down. However, there is a major Preakness Stakes betting factor each and every year. The Kentucky Derby winner faces intense scrutiny.
2020 Preakness Stakes Date and Location
| Date and Time: | Saturday, May 16, 2020 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland |
| 2020 Preakness Stakes TV Coverage | NBC |
| 2020 Preakness Stakes Betting Odds at SBG: | Click Here |
2020 Preakness Stakes Overview
The Preakness Stakes is all about the Triple Crown. Unlike the Belmont Stakes that follows, the Preakness has the guarantee of a potential Triple Crown champion. Should the Kentucky Derby champion win the Preakness it will go on to the Belmont with a shot at immortality. But if the Derby winner loses at Pimlico the Belmont has much less appeal and luster. To begin with, the Sports betting factors of the Preakness combine the likely overlay status of the Derby winner with new horses. The Preakness Stakes was inaugurated in 1873.
Betting Factors
Fashion that for the two weeks leading up to the Preakness Stakes is relentless hype over the Kentucky Derby winner. A considerable amount of casual money will flow in to make the Derby champ the Preakness Stakes Betting favorite. Counter to that will be several fresh and well-rested horses that skipped the Kentucky Derby. These horses will be ignored by the public even as they are potential ambush candidates. Another factor to consider is that the Preakness is the shortest Triple Crown race. It is 1 3/16 miles in length compared to 1 ¼ mile at the Derby.
Top 2020 Contenders
Shady Empire
Jeff Bonde trained Shady Empire is a contender to consider for 2020. Shady Empire won his first race at Santa Anita last May. Following that the colt failed to finish in the money in his next two races. This type of colt can emerge into Triple Crown prominence with good training and gradual improvement. Namely, Shady Empire is owned by Edward J. Brown Jr.
Gin and Platonic
Two-year-old Gin and Platonic is a colt to keep an eye on. First, he was the winner of the only start of his career at Monmouth Park in June of 2019. Kelly J. Breen is the trainer. Specifically, Gin and Tonic was bred in Kentucky with the Triple Crown in mind.
Encoder
Yet another Preakness Stakes contender is two-year-old Encoder. Owned by Hronis Racing LLC, Encoder is trained by John W. Sadler. Most important of all Encoder has won his only two starts. The colt prevailed in the first start of his career at Delmar in August of 2019. And then he was the winner of the Prestigious Del Mar Juvenile Turf that was run last September.
Man With a Plan
Fashion that two-year-old Man With a Plan has been in the money for three out of four career starts. Owned by David Hunt, Man With a Plan is trained by Jose Pinchin. Following a win in his first race, the Colt has also placed third and second in starts that followed.