Preakness 2016: Top Contenders and Unheralded Horses in Lineup Field
The 2016 Preakness Stakes field will be led by Kentucky Derby champion and undefeated star Nyquist. The horse is looking to secure the second leg of this year's Triple Crown, though the field he will be going against on Saturday will look a lot different than the one he saw at Churchill Downs.
While the field is still being finalized, there are eight new horses coming to Pimlico. In fact, among Kentucky Derby runners, only Exaggerator and Lani have been confirmed to run at the Preakness.
Nyquist is going to be the heavy favorite, because he's the biggest star and his triumph on horse racing's biggest stage is just the tip of the iceberg for what has been a stellar career to this point.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Here's what the field for this year's Preakness Stakes looks like with horses confirmed or expected to be running:
| Nyquist | Doug O'Neill | Mario Gutierrez | 5-7 |
| Exaggerator | Keith Desormeaux | Kent Desormeaux | 9-2 |
| Cherry Wine | Dale Romans | Corey Lanerie | 25-1 |
| Laoban | Eric Guillot | Ricardo Santana Jr. | 40-1 |
| Collected | Bob Baffert | Javier Castellano | 25-1 |
| Fellowship | Mark Casse | Jose Lezcano | 33-1 |
| Gun Runner | Steve Asmussen | Florent Geroux | 14-1 |
| Uncle Lino | Gary Sherlock | Fernando Perez | 33-1 |
| Awesome Speed | Alan Goldberg | Jevian Toledo | 33-1 |
| Lani | Mikio Matsunaga | Yutaka Take | 33-1 |
| Stradivari | Todd Pletcher | John Velazquez | 12-1 |
| Dazzling Gem | Brad Cox | TBA | 20-1 |
The Favorite: Nyquist
The Kentucky Derby champion is always going to be favored heading into the Preakness, but Nyquist has more than earned his reputation as the horse to beat in each of this year's Triple Crown races.
Nyquist has a spotless 8-0 record thanks to a terrific performance from jockey Mario Gutierrez at Churchill Downs two weeks ago:
The track at Pimlico does run differently, forcing Nyquist and Gutierrez to adjust things. It's a shorter race—9.5 furlongs, compared to 10 for the Kentucky Derby and 12 at the Belmont Stakes—so the margin for error is smaller.
The weather forecast in Baltimore on Saturday is not promising, with a 90 percent chance of rain during the day, per Weather.com.
However, that could actually play into Nyquist's favor. He won the Florida Derby seven weeks ago in rain-soaked conditions by three lengths over Majesto.
Nyquist's trainer Doug O'Neill has not received any indication from the horse during training this week that there will be a letdown, per Richard Rosenblatt of the Associated Press: "He's full of energy, and looks fantastic. He should be ready."
Until another horse proves it can compete with Nyquist, he's going to get all of the attention. His last two wins have been the most impressive triumphs in his career, so there's no reason to expect anything less at the Preakness.
The Sleeper: Stradivari
Stradivari enters the Preakness Stakes as a combination of Apollo Creed and Rocky Balboa. He's been dazzling in the races that he's run, but there's not enough of a track record for casual horse racing fans to know a lot about him.
His trainer Todd Pletcher has a terrific Triple Crown resume with three career wins (2007 Belmont Stakes, 2010 Kentucky Derby, 2013 Belmont Stakes), and his jockey John Velazquez won the 2007 Belmont Stakes and 2011 Kentucky Derby.
Stradivari has a 2-1 record in just three career races, winning each of his last two events by a dazzling 25 combined lengths.
During practice sessions at Pimlico, Stradivari has been impressive, as noted by David Grening of Daily Racing Form:
There is often so much information about horses in any Triple Crown race because all eyes are focused on them. It's the biggest stage the sport has to offer, one in which even non-racing fans will at least watch because the races are easily accessible on NBC.
Yet sometimes there is something to be said for being a mystery. Stradivari doesn't have extensive tape to examine, and his last two races will look impressive to anyone watching.
Even O'Neill has taken a liking to Stradivari leading up to the Preakness, as he told Grening (via ESPN.com):
"He's obviously very scary with those connections and the way he won at Keeneland last time. He strikes a lot of fear in you. I think the biggest thing is we're not focused on who we're running against. As long as Nyquist continues to do well, we feel very optimistic he's going to run a big race after winning that Derby. He's settled in here, looks great, good energy, total pro.
"
The biggest concern for Stradivari, even more than the lack of a track record, is his response to potentially bad weather. He's never been put under a spotlight this bright, so trying to reserve energy even in fair conditions will be difficult enough.
There's a reason that Stradivari has commanded attention even from the trainer of this year's Kentucky Derby champion. He's got to earn his reputation, but the physical tools all look excellent heading into Pimlico.
The Dark Horse: Collected
After missing out on the Kentucky Derby, Collected has a chance to make an emphatic statement at the Preakness Stakes. He's got a great team around him, including trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Javier Castellano.
Baffert trained last year's Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, in addition to having five other Preakness Stakes titles on his mantle. This race has been, by far, his most successful among the Triple Crown races.
Jockey Javier Castellano, who will be riding Collected, previously won the 2006 Preakness Stakes with Bernardini after the horse didn't run at the Kentucky Derby.
While not a detailed scouting report, Baffert did offer a succinct analysis of what his new horse can do, per Kentucky Derby Contenders:
Collected has been dominant in his last two races, winning the Sunland Park Festival of Racing and Lexington Stakes by a combined 17.5 furlongs.
In preparation for the Preakness, per Marty McGee of the Daily Racing Form, timers at Pimlico have clocked Collected breezing through practice sessions:
Just looking at everyone around Collected and his recent history on the track, this horse is trending upward at the right time. His absence from the Kentucky Derby can actually help him because no one knows how he will fare against Nyquist.
The other Derby losers know they are chasing Nyquist. Horses like Stradivari and Collected don't have that pressure coming from their trainer and jockey. They just have to get on the track and run.
In an age of constant information, sometimes the best spot to be in is one in which no one really knows much about you.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
