Preakness Stakes 2020: Date, Entries, Odds, History

When is the Preakness Stakes 2020?

Swiss Skydiver Horse

Swiss Skydiver – Courtesy of Churchill Downs/Coady Photography.

The Preakness Stakes is a Grade I stakes race for three year-old Thoroughbreds at Preakness Park run on the third Saturday in May. This year, the race will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3rd.

Preakness Stakes History

Throughout history, seven African American riders have had Preakness mounts, including two winners’ circle. George “Spider” Anderson won the 1889 Preakness aboard Buddhist. Willie Simms rode two Preakness runners and won aboard Sly Fox in 1998. “Pike” Barnes finished second aboad Philosophy in 1890, while the third- and fourth-place finishers in the 1896 Preakness were ridden by African Americans – Alonzo Clayto (3rd with Intermission) and Tony Hamilton (4th on Cassette).

Preakness Stakes Winners

The final two African American jockeys to ride in the Preakness so far were Wayne Barnett (Sparrowvon, 8th in 1985) and Kevin Krigger (Goldencents, 5th in 2013). Also in the entire 145-year history of the Preakness Stakes, only two people have both ridden and also saddled Preakness winners. Louis J. Schaefer won the 1929 Preakness aboard Dr. Freeland and in 1939 saddled Challedon to victory. Hall of Fame jockey John Longden duplicated the feat when he rode 1943 Preakness winner and sixth Triple Crown hero Count Fleet to victory and then as a trainer saddled Kentucky Derby winner Majestic Prince to the Preakness win in 1969.

Preakness Stakes Odds

2020 Preakness Stakes Odds and Post Positions
PP Horse Jockey Odds
1 Excession Sheldon Russell 30-1
2 Mr. Big News Gabriel Saez 12-1
3 Art Collector Brian Hernandez Jr. 5-2
4 Swiss Skydiver Robby Albarado 6-1
5 Thousand Words Florent Geroux 6-1
6 Jesus’ Team Jevian Toledo 30-1
7 NY Traffic Horacio Karamanos 15-1
8 Max Player Paco Lopez 15-1
9 Authentic John Velazquez 9-5
10 Pneumatic Joe Bravo 20-1
11 Liveyourbeastlife Trevor Mccarthy 30-1