The Preakness Stakes is one of the three races that make up the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. It is the second leg of the Triple Crown, following the Kentucky Derby and preceding the Belmont Stakes. The Preakness Stakes is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds run each year in May at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. This year, the race will be held on Saturday, May 15, 2021.
History of the Preakness Race
The Preakness Stakes is one of the oldest and most prestigious horse races in the world, with a history dating back to 1873. It was first run at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, and is the second jewel of the Triple Crown. The Preakness was originally named after a winning colt at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The colt was named Preakness, after a nearby Preakness Valley farm owned by the father of the colt’s owner.
Prize Money and Purse
The purse for the 2021 Preakness Stakes is expected to be around $1.5 million. The winner of the race will receive $900,000, with the second-place finisher getting $300,000, the third-place finisher getting $180,000, and the rest of the purse being distributed to the remaining finishers.
Notable Horses in 2021 Preakness
The 2021 Preakness Stakes will feature some of the best horses in the world. Among them are Essential Quality, the Kentucky Derby winner, who will be looking to complete the Triple Crown; Medina Spirit, the runner-up in the Kentucky Derby, who will be looking to redeem his loss; and Concert Tour, who will be looking to make his mark in the Preakness.
How Many Horses Will Compete in the 2021 Preakness?
A total of 14 horses have been pre-entered for the 2021 Preakness Stakes. This is down from the 18 horses that competed in the Kentucky Derby. The 14 horses are:
- Essential Quality
- Medina Spirit
- Concert Tour
- Rombauer
- Midnight Bourbon
- Keepmeinmind
- Unbridled Honor
- Risk Taking
- France Go de Ina
- Ram
- Crowded Trade
- Soup and Sandwich
- Hazit
- Mandaloun
Post Positions and Morning Line Odds
The post positions and morning line odds for the 2021 Preakness Stakes are:
- Essential Quality – Post Position 1; Morning Line Odds 2/1
- Medina Spirit – Post Position 2; Morning Line Odds 8/1
- Concert Tour – Post Position 3; Morning Line Odds 8/1
- Rombauer – Post Position 4; Morning Line Odds 6/1
- Midnight Bourbon – Post Position 5; Morning Line Odds 10/1
- Keepmeinmind – Post Position 6; Morning Line Odds 12/1
- Unbridled Honor – Post Position 7; Morning Line Odds 15/1
- Risk Taking – Post Position 8; Morning Line Odds 15/1
- France Go de Ina – Post Position 9; Morning Line Odds 30/1
- Ram – Post Position 10; Morning Line Odds 30/1
- Crowded Trade – Post Position 11; Morning Line Odds 20/1
- Soup and Sandwich – Post Position 12; Morning Line Odds 20/1
- Hazit – Post Position 13; Morning Line Odds 30/1
- Mandaloun – Post Position 14; Morning Line Odds 15/1
Betting Overview
The Preakness Stakes is one of the most popular betting events of the year. Bettors can wager on the race through multiple avenues, including off-track betting, racebooks, and online betting.
The most popular types of wagers that bettors can make are the win, place, and show bets. The win bet is a bet on a horse to win the race. The place bet is a bet on a horse to place either first or second in the race. The show bet is a bet on a horse to finish in the top three in the race.
Notable Jockeys in 2021 Preakness
The 2021 Preakness Stakes will feature some of the top jockeys in the sport. Among them are John Velazquez, who will be riding Essential Quality; Flavien Prat, who will be riding Medina Spirit; and Mike Smith, who will be riding Concert Tour.
Notable Trainers in 2021 Preakness
The 2021 Preakness Stakes will feature some of the top trainers in the sport. Among them are Brad Cox, the trainer of Essential Quality; Bob Baffert, the trainer of Medina Spirit; and Bob Baffert, the trainer of Concert Tour.
Predictions for the 2021 Preakness
It is difficult to predict the outcome of the 2021 Preakness Stakes. That said, Essential Quality appears to be the favorite, as he is the Kentucky Derby winner and has the advantage of having a jockey and trainer who have won multiple Triple Crown races. Medina Spirit is another horse to watch, as he is coming off a runner-up finish in the Kentucky Derby and has a jockey and trainer with a good track record.
TV Coverage of the 2021 Preakness
The 2021 Preakness Stakes will be broadcast live on NBC Sports, with coverage beginning at 5:00pm ET. The race is expected to begin at approximately 6:50pm ET.
Conclusion
The 2021 Preakness Stakes is sure to be an exciting race, with 14 horses competing for the purse of $1.5 million. Essential Quality, Medina Spirit, and Concert Tour are the horses to watch and the favorites to win the race. The race will be broadcast live on NBC Sports, with coverage beginning at 5:00pm ET.