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Jockey Robby Albarado celbrates with the Preakness Trophy after Swiss Skydiver's win in the 2020 Preakness |
The $1 million Preakness Stakes (G1) is traditionally the second jewel in the Triple Crown run on the third Saturday in May, but due to COVID-19 postponements, this year it served as the final race of the series, and due to the delayed scheduling, it was added to the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, the winner earning automatic entry in the Classic on November 7 at Keeneland. A field of 11 three-year-olds contested the 144th renewal of this 1 3/16 mile classic around two turns at historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, with no fans in the usual packed grandstand and infield. Conditions were typical for early October in Maryland, with partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid 60's.
Swiss Skydiver leads around the final turn in the Preakness |
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show 4 Swiss Skydiver Albarado 25.40 8.40 5.80 9 Authentic Velazquez 3.60 3.20 6 Jesus' Team Toledo 12.20 Winning Time: 1:53.28 $1 Exacta 4-9 37.80 $1 Trifecta 4-9-6 1,205.70 $1 Superfecta 4-9-6-3 5,053.00 |
Left: Trainer Ken McPeek follows Swiss Skydiver and Robby Albarado to the winner's circle. She is the first filly to win the Preakness since Rachel Alexandra in 2009. McPeek said, "The job Robby did today was incredible. I was worried when they got to the sixteenth pole and Authentic looked like he got his head in front. I'm just thrilled she fought on like she did. There are no guarantees in this game."
Left: Swiss Skydiver in the winner's circle.
Left: Trainer Ken McPeek gives Robby Albarado a high five after winning the Preakness with Swiss Skydiver. Albarado said, "I had to make a conscious decision in the middle of the backstretch. I jumped in there. My plan was to stay on the inside. It was the Derby champ. You have to give him respect. I maybe hit her once. It was a sprint home, and she was determined to be in front of him and wasn't letting him pass. She has a heart of gold. A true champion, yes."
Left: An inside view of the finish.
Second place finisher and beaten favorite Authentic earlier in the year. Trainer Bob Baffert said, "I thought I was going to be on the lead," he said. "(John Velazquez) said that it didn't work out and he was rating (Authentic) today (behind Thousand Words). He doesn't like rating. That's a good filly. He had every chance to get by her. He got beat. He just couldn't get by her. She dug in. She's tough."
Third place finisher Jesus' Team earlier in the year. The Jose D'Angelo trainee improved his record to 2 wins, 3 seconds, and 3 thirds in 11 starts, earning $256,640 for owner Grupo Seven C Stable.
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