Authentic attempts to back up Derby performance in the Preakness

The third leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes will be run in October in this haphazard 2020 racing season. Favored Authentic will try to repeat his brilliant performance in last month’s Derby in Baltimore on Saturday. The Belmont winner and Authentic’s main rival in Kentucky, Tiz the Law is taking some time off before the Breeders Cup and will not compete.

The main challenger to Authentic is Art Collector who has put together five straight victories. Art Collector sat out the Derby with a foot injury but has since recovered. The Blue Grass winner is the second choice to wear the Black Eyed Susans.

Swiss Skydiver, a top rated filly will take on the colts and should see some action. She is consistent as they come finishing in the money in seven straight graded stakes including an impressive victory in the Alabama at Saratoga.

Should Authentic be challenged on the front end by Art Collector or Ny Traffic, there are several horses with closing kicks that could benefit from the fast pace and be flying down the stretch. Among those are third place Derby longshot Mr. Big News, Thousand Words, Max Player, Pneumatic and Liveyourbeastlife.

The Preakness field, with post positions, odds and riding assignments, can be viewed below:

1. Excession, 30-1 (Steve Asmussen, Sheldon Russell) He hasn’t fired lately but in cased of a muddy track, he deserves a look. However, it’s supposed to be sunny in Baltimore Saturday.
2. Mr. Big News, 12-1 (Bret Calhoun/Gabriel Saez) Showed at 46-1 in Kentucky, and as mentioned, he could be closing if a there’s a speed duel in front of him. Another one who likes the slop. His mudder was a mudder.
3. Art Collector, 5-2 (Tommy Drury Jr., Brian Hernandez Jr.) He has the tactical speed to keep Authentic honest and may fight for the early lead against Authentic.
4. Swiss Skydiver, 6-1 (Kenny McPeek, Robby Albarado) Filly was second in the Blue Grass behind Art Collector in her only try against males. Maybe this is pushing it. Get back in the kitchen!
5. Thousand Words, 6-1 (Bob Baffert/Florent Geroux) The ‘other’ Baffert flipped in the Paddock before the Kentucky Derby and was a late scratch. Prior to the Derby, he defeated Honor A. P. in the Shared Belief. Big chance here.
6. Jesus’ Team, 30-1 (José D’Angelo, Jevian Toledo) Much like Max Player, this colt always shows up with an honest effort, but settles for minor awards. Looks like a cut below these.
7. Ny Traffic, 15-1 (Saffie Joseph Jr./Horacio Karamanos) He had a rough trip in the Derby that left him cut up, but he is supposedly healed. Prior to the Derby, he closed to be second to Authentic in the Haskell. Question mark.
8. Max Player, 15-1 (Steve Asmussen, Paco López) This late-running colt could benefit from a fast pace and usually gives a solid effort for his connections.
9. Authentic, 9-5 (Bob Baffert/John Velazquez) The Kentucky Derby winner has been defeated only once in six starts and proved he can handle the Triple Crown races with his front-running score over the monster Tiz the Law. The favorite will look to give Bob Baffert his eighth Preakness score.
10. Pneumatic, 20-1 (Steve Asmussen, Joe Bravo) Underrated longshot will provide good value in exactas and triples and is in good form. Don’t be surprised when they call his name in the stretch.
11. Liveyourbeastlife, 30-1 (Jorge Abreu, Trevor McCarthy) Improving colt’s last race was a second in the Jim Dandy which puts him in the ballpark. He will be tested and will probably fall a little short here.

BOZO BETS:

Bozos are thinking Authentic repels the challenge of Art Collector and goes on to a front-end score. We’re going to box the favorite with the horses who could close at a decent price in exactas.
Exacta box:

Authentic #9 with #2 Mr. Big News/ #7 Ny Traffic/ #8 Max Player/ #10 Pneumatic

Triple in case Art Collector is the real deal: Tri 3-9/ 3-9/ 2-3-7-8-9-10

Have fun!

-HB