Katie Lamb will be providing preview content for the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes for theScore this season. Katie's horse-racing coverage has appeared in The New York Times and the Toronto Star.
Whether undefeated Kentucky Derby champ Nyquist will take a run at history and try to become the 13th horse to sweep the American Triple Crown will be decided in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes. Since 1932, when the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes were inaugurated as the Triple Crown, 23 Derby winners went on to take the Preakness.
Last year, American Pharoah became the first horse in 37 years to win the Triple Crown. Nyquist is installed as the 3-5 favorite and Derby runner-up Exaggerator is the second choice at 3-1. Stradivari, a newcomer to the Triple Crown trail, is the third choice at 8-1.
There’s little to suggest that Nyquist’s connections won’t be hoisting the Woodlawn Vase (the most valuable trophy in sports) on Saturday evening. He’s never lost a race before, his Kentucky Derby winning time (2:01:31) is fast, and he continues to impress in training leading up to Saturday's race. But rain is forecast for the Baltimore area and seven fresh foes could put a wrench in his plans.
theScore has gathered four expert picks from horse racing insiders to help you handicap for Saturday.
Keith McCalmont, communications manager, Woodbine Entertainment Group
Pick: Exaggerator
With an abundance of front-running types and the forecasted rain making a sloppy track a distinct possibility for Saturday's Preakness, the second jewel of the U.S. Triple Crown would appear to be setting up for Kentucky Derby runner-up Exaggerator.
Jockey Kent Desormeaux, who has won the Preakness with Derby champs Big Brown and Real Quiet, will look to provide his brother, trainer Keith Desormeaux, a first score in the 1 3/16-mile test. Exaggerator is a deep closer and will appreciate the added pace on Saturday that should make life difficult for the more prominent Derby champ, Nyquist. It doesn't hurt that Exaggerator’s career-best 103 Beyer Speed Figure came over a sloppy track in a stunning 6 1/4-length Santa Anita Derby win.
Rob Longley, sports columnist, Toronto Sun and Postmedia network
Pick: Nyquist
The margin at the end of the Derby didn't suggest dominance, but the time did. Worthy winners in Louisville rarely struggle in the middle jewel and the undefeated champ has all the tools - speed, stamina, tactical ability - to set up another shot at the Triple Crown.
Related: Can Derby runner-up Exaggerator upset Nyquist at the Preakness?
Ed DeRosa, Director of Communication, Twinspires.com
Pick: Exaggerator (2. Nyquist 3. Uncle Lino 4. Lani)
Exaggerator has yet to beat Nyquist in four meetings to date, so what could change in the Preakness Stakes? Well, not much, but this isn’t about thinking Exaggerator is a better horse or wins this race most often; this is about thinking the two horses are close enough in talent that I’d rather bet Exaggerator at 5-2 or 3-1 than Nyquist at 3- or 4-5. Normally if I’m against an odds-on favorite, I’ll leave him/her completely out of my top three selections, but I can’t in good faith do that here, as I do think the top two from the Kentucky Derby are easily the top two against this group. Uncle Lino and Lani are the two long shots I’ll most use underneath. Uncle Lino’s last race was fastest among these on the Brisnet.com scale, and Lani will improve getting to stay stateside after having raced in three countries already this year.
Jennifer Morrison, horse racing writer, Toronto Star and Daily Racing Form handicapper
Pick: Exaggerator
Exaggerator will turn the tables on Nyquist in the Preakness and not just because some 20 cm of rain is supposed to fall in Baltimore on Saturday.
The Kentucky Derby runner-up should have a contested pace battle to run at once again as more than half of the field are horses who prefer to race on or near the early pace, including Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist.
Nyquist just ran the race of his life in the Derby and, while he has never lost and continues to amaze, we will see some vulnerability in the Preakness.