The Preakness Stakes, also known as the second jewel of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, is a prestigious horse race that takes place annually in mid-May at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. This classic event dates back to 1873, making it the second-oldest race in the Triple Crown series after the Kentucky Derby. The Preakness is an exciting race that draws in millions of viewers and millions of dollars in wagers. As such, the horses that compete in the Preakness are some of the best in the sport and have names that are often quite memorable.
The Famous Horses of the Preakness
The Preakness has been home to some of the best horses in the history of horse racing. Notable horses to have competed in the Preakness include Triple Crown winners Secretariat, Seattle Slew and Affirmed. Other noteworthy champions such as Citation, War Admiral, and Whirlaway have all competed in the Preakness, as have legendary horses such as Smarty Jones, Rachel Alexandra, Point Given, and I’ll Have Another.
Notable Horses of the 2020 Preakness
The 2020 Preakness is sure to be an exciting race and will feature some of the best horses in the sport. The list of notable horses competing in the 2020 Preakness includes:
- Swiss Skydiver: Swiss Skydiver is a three-year-old filly owned by Peter Callahan and trained by Kenneth McPeek. She has won five of her seven lifetime starts, including the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes and the Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks. Swiss Skydiver will be looking to become the sixth filly to win the Preakness.
- Art Collector: Art Collector is a three-year-old owned by Bruce Lunsford and trained by Thomas Drury Jr. He has won four of his seven lifetime starts, including the Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes and the Grade 3 Matt Winn Stakes. Art Collector will be looking to become the sixth horse to win the Preakness after winning the Blue Grass Stakes.
- Authentic: Authentic is a three-year-old owned by Spendthrift Farm and trained by Bob Baffert. He has won four of his six lifetime starts, including the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational and the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes. Authentic will be looking to become the first horse since American Pharoah in 2015 to win the Preakness after winning the Haskell Invitational.
- Tiz the Law: Tiz the Law is a three-year-old owned by Sackatoga Stable and trained by Barclay Tagg. He has won four of his five lifetime starts, including the Grade 1 Florida Derby and the Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes. Tiz the Law will be looking to become the first horse since Smarty Jones in 2004 to win the Preakness after winning the Florida Derby.
- Mr. Big News: Mr. Big News is a three-year-old owned by Calumet Farm and trained by Bret Calhoun. He has won two of his seven lifetime starts, including the Grade 3 Lone Star Derby and the Grade 3 Pat Day Mile. Mr. Big News will be looking to become the fifth horse since Spectacular Bid in 1979 to win the Preakness after winning the Lone Star Derby.
Notable Jockeys of the 2020 Preakness
The 2020 Preakness will also feature some of the best jockeys in the sport. Notable jockeys competing in the 2020 Preakness include:
- John Velazquez: John Velazquez has been a top jockey for many years. He is the all-time leader in wins at the Preakness, having won the race four times. He is slated to ride Tiz the Law in the 2020 Preakness.
- Ricardo Santana Jr.: Ricardo Santana Jr. is a top jockey who has won multiple Grade 1 races, including the Preakness in 2017 aboard Cloud Computing. He is slated to ride Art Collector in the 2020 Preakness.
- Florent Geroux: Florent Geroux is a top jockey who has won multiple Grade 1 races, including the Preakness in 2018 aboard Justify. He is slated to ride Authentic in the 2020 Preakness.
- Mike Smith: Mike Smith is a Hall of Fame jockey who is the all-time leader in wins in Triple Crown races, having won all three races a total of five times. He is slated to ride Swiss Skydiver in the 2020 Preakness.
- Brian Hernandez Jr.: Brian Hernandez Jr. is a top jockey who has won multiple Grade 1 races, including the Preakness in 2013 aboard Oxbow. He is slated to ride Mr. Big News in the 2020 Preakness.
History of the Preakness Winners
The Preakness has been won by some of the greatest horses in the history of the sport. The first Preakness winner was Survivor, who won the race in 1873. Other notable Preakness winners include Triple Crown winners Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed; champion horses such as Citation, War Admiral, Whirlaway, Smarty Jones, Rachel Alexandra, Point Given, and I’ll Have Another; and recent winners such as American Pharoah, California Chrome, Justify, and Big Brown.
The Triple Crown Winners of the Preakness
The Preakness has been won by eleven horses that have gone on to win the Triple Crown. Those horses are:
- Sir Barton: Sir Barton was the first horse to win the Triple Crown, doing so in 1919. He won the Preakness by a length and a half.
- Gallant Fox: Gallant Fox won the Triple Crown in 1930, winning the Preakness by a length and a half.
- Omaha: Omaha won the Triple Crown in 1935, winning the Preakness by a length and a half.
- War Admiral: War Admiral won the Triple Crown in 1937, winning the Preakness by a length and a half.
- Whirlaway: Whirlaway won the Triple Crown in 1941, winning the Preakness by four lengths.
- Count Fleet: Count Fleet won the Triple Crown in 1943, winning the Preakness by nine lengths.
- Assault: Assault won the Triple Crown in 1946, winning the Preakness by three lengths.
- Citation: Citation won the Triple Crown in 1948, winning the Preakness by three lengths.
- Secretariat: Secretariat won the Triple Crown in 1973, winning the Preakness by a record-setting margin of two and a half lengths.
- Seattle Slew: Seattle Slew won the Triple Crown in 1977, winning the Preakness by four lengths.
- Affirmed: Affirmed won the Triple Crown in 1978, winning the Preakness by a length.
The Future of the Preakness
The Preakness is an important race in the horse racing world that has a long and storied history. It is a race that has been won by some of the greatest horses in the sport, and one that has been won by eleven horses that have gone on to win the Triple Crown. The future of the Preakness appears to be bright, as this classic race continues to draw in millions of viewers and millions of dollars in wagers every year.
Conclusion
The Preakness is one of the most prestigious events in horse racing and has been home to some of the best horses in the sport. The 2020 Preakness will feature a field of notable horses and jockeys, as well as a chance for one of them to join the exclusive club of Triple Crown winners. The future of the Preakness looks bright, and it is sure to be an exciting race.
References
1. Preakness Stakes History
2. 2020 Preakness Horses
3. 2020 Preakness Jockeys
4. Preakness Winners
5. Triple Crown Winners