It is another year for horse racing fans and enthusiasts to witness the exciting and thrilling horse racing back in the field. And this time, as a part of the prestigious Triple Crown Series, we are going back to the field of Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland, to witness this year’s Preakness Stakes.
Last year was a series of unexpected turns of events for the Preakness Stakes. Due to the uncertainty and threat of the coronavirus, everything was set differently. The Pimlico Race Course held the last leg of the Triple Crown Series, and the Preakness Stakes had the chance to set a perfect final stage of the prestigious event.
And now, the Triple Crown Series is back to its regular schedule, and the Preakness Stakes will regain its position as the “second jewel of the Triple Crown Series.” But with all the excitement, which horses will make it to the lineup and which horses are the early favorites?
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Preakness Stake 2021 Event Details
Last year’s Preakness Stakes, even though scheduled and held differently due to COVID-19 and other safety and healthy protocols, went well, along with the rest of the Triple Crown Series horse races. Every effort made by the race association and management paid off. However, the Triple Crown crowd was upset after Authentic’s loss, who came up short of winning against Swiss Skydiver.
This year, following the government’s stricter and stringent implementation concerning the still ongoing pandemic, the Preakness Stakes will still beset with no live audience on the grandstand. The same goes for the leg opening race, the Kentucky Derby, set to run in the first week of May.
Since there will be no more schedule changes for the Triple Crown Series, the Preakness Stakes will be back to its original date, set two weeks after the Kentucky Derby. The early date is set this coming May 15, 2021.
Early Race Favorites
After Swiss Skydiver won the Preakness Stakes last year, driving out Bob Baffert’s Authentic out on its way, there’s a lot of anticipated tension when the race commences in the Pimlico Race Course.
However, it’s still too early to predict who will race for the Preakness Stakes since the Kentucky Derby will decide which horse will see through the second leg. As expected, there are already early favorites according to different sportsbooks and playmakers.
Here are the early favorites that are predicted to join the Preakness Stake 2021 lineup:
Good Opening Odds For Swiss Skydiver and Thousand Words
Swiss Skydiver and her winning jockey Robby Albarado is in a great position for the upcoming Preakness Stake. Winning last year’s event, Swiss Skydiver became the 6th filly to win the Preakness Stakes. Moreover, she has good race credentials under her wing. With this record, she is a great contender as the Horse of the Year, according to her trainer Ken McPeek.
On the other hand, Thousand Words tells a different tale. Though the recent incident after the Kentucky Derby was quite alarming, Thousand Words still holds the honor of being a multi-stakes winner. Although he already retired, becoming a stud in B. Wayne Hughes’ Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, many still assume that he will be back in the race if Bob Baffert decides on it. Also Read – How to Host an Epic Game Day Party
Authentic (9/5) and Art Collector (5/2)
The Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Authentic is considered one of the finest Thoroughbreds in racing history. Trained by the veteran and award-winning horse trainer, Bob Baffert, there’s no doubt that Authentic’s name will be in the early Preakness Stake candidate list.
Even after losing against Swiss Skydiver from last year’s race, Authentic still has something to show the crowd. He was recently awarded as the Horse of the Year during the 50th annual Eclipse Awards.
Meanwhile, after missing last year’s Kentucky Derby due to an injury, Art Collector is assumed to be back this time in the Preakness Stakes. Finishing his Preakness Stakes last year four places behind Swiss Skydiver and landing his Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at 8th place after an injury was not all that bad for Art Collector. According to his owner Bruce Lunsford and trainer Tom Drury, he will be sent to Webb Carroll Training Center in South Carolina to relax and let him grow up.
We will probably get to see Art Collector running as he usually does this coming Preakness Stakes.
Takeaway
The Triple Crown Series is almost here again, and this year, there’ll be no more changes in schedule. The original and usual setting of the most prestigious horse racing series will be set off by the Kentucky Derby as the preliminary race, followed by the Preakness Stakes, and with Belmont Stakes as the last leg.
Although it is still too early to predict which horses will make it to the Preakness Stakes, lineups made up of favorite horses have already begun appearing everywhere. It’s exciting to see which of these horses will come up on the final event date, and fans can no longer wait.
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