The 2020 Preakness Stakes concludes horse racing’s Triple Crown schedule this year, but only one of the two winners of previous races will be among Saturday’s field.
The Preakness takes place Saturday at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD, and it airs on NBC from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
The race of 9.5 furlongs (1 ³⁄₁₆ miles) usually takes place in May and serves as the second leg of American thoroughbred racing’s famed Triple Crown. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent race rescheduling, the 2020 Preakness will serve as the grand finale.
The legendary track is less than an hour’s drive away for many northern Virginia residents. However, as with previous 2020 Triple Crown events, no fans will be in attendance at the Oct. 3 race because of coronavirus and social-distancing measures.
So, what can horse bettors expect when they tune in this weekend for the 145th running of the Preakness Stakes? A few favorites and a handful of long shots, among other hopefuls.
How to bet on the 2020 Preakness Stakes
Are you watching the 2020 Preakness Stakes in Virginia and want to place a wager on the race?
The TVG betting app and streaming service is available. It’s a legal race betting website in the United States and available in VA.
TVG is an advanced deposit wagering (ADW) site, which means bettors simply need to fund their accounts before they can place a bet. Then, they can wager on the 2020 Preakness Stakes and other horse-racing events around the world.
TVG is one of the most prominent ADW sites. It features many deposit options and promotional offers. In addition to a livestream of the races, you can find racing schedules, previews, and handicapping advice.
Virginia also has off-track betting (OTB) available. Bettors can place bets at these facilities, which are located in various cities in The Old Dominion State.
Tiz the Law skipping 2020 Preakness
This year’s other Triple Crown races were the 2020 Belmont Stakes on June 20 and the 2020 Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5.
Tiz the Law, who won the Belmont Stakes but fell short to Authentic in the Kentucky Derby, won’t be part of Saturday’s field. Tiz the Law owner Jack Knowlton and trainer Barclay Tagg instead will rest the 3-year-old colt in anticipation of the Breeders’ Cup in Kentucky on Nov. 7.
Saturday’s race loses a bit of its appeal since no horse will be vying for the famed Triple Crown championship, which Justify last accomplished in 2018. However, a Tiz the Law vs. Authentic rematch could have been an intriguing alternative.
Instead, Authentic will look to win two of the Triple Crown’s three legs when he takes on a field of 10 other horses at the 2020 Preakness.
He’ll also look to break the 1 ³⁄₁₆ mile track record of 1:53. Secretariat set that mark during his 1973 Triple Crown championship.
2020 Preakness Stakes odds and favorite
After his recent Kentucky Derby win, Authentic (9-5) is the favorite in this year’s Preakness Stakes field.
He’s followed closely by Art Collector (5-2), who’s 4-0 this year with wins at the Blue Grass Stakes and Ellis Park Derby.
Swiss Skydiver (6-1) and Thousand Words (6-1) are in striking range, at least according to the current odds. Longshots include Excession (30-1), Jesus’ Team (30-1), and LiveYourBeastLife (30-1).
As you gear up to watch the 2020 Preakness Stakes in Virginia, here are the starting positions and latest odds:
| Post Position | Horse | Jockey | Opening Odds | Morning Line Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Excession | Sheldon Russell | 30-1 | TBD |
| 2 | Mr. Big News | Gabriel Saez | 12-1 | TBD |
| 3 | Art Collector | Brian Hernandez Jr. | 5-2 | TBD |
| 4 | Swiss Skydiver | Robby Albarado | 6-1 | TBD |
| 5 | Thousand Words | Florent Geroux | 6-1 | TBD |
| 6 | Jesus' Team | Jevian Toleldo | 30-1 | TBD |
| 7 | Ny Traffic | Horacio Karamanos | 15-1 | TBD |
| 8 | Max Player | Paco Lopez | 15-1 | TBD |
| 9 | Authentic | John Velazquez | 9-5 | TBD |
| 10 | Pneumatic | Joe Bravo | 20-1 | TBD |
| 11 | Liveyourbeastlife | Trevor McCarthy | 30-1 | TBD |
