2020 Preakness top 5 contenders: Authentic leads the charge

Keeler Johnson shares top five contenders for the 2020 Preakness (G1) at Pimlico.

1. Authentic

Trainer Bob Baffert has never lost the Preakness with a Kentucky Derby (G1) winner, so even in a Triple Crown restructured because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Authentic looms as the horse to beat at Pimlico.

Two bullet workouts since the Derby (5 furlongs in 59.20, 4 furlongs in :47.60) suggest Authentic is maintaining peak form before the final classic of the season.

2. Art Collector

Undefeated in four starts this season and capable of winning with any running style, Art Collector missed the Kentucky Derby with a minor hoof issue, but he has since bounced back to post three sharp workouts.

Art Collector’s form was flattered last weekend, when his twice-beaten rival, Shared Sense, won the Oklahoma Derby (G3), but post 3 could lead to a tricky trip in the Preakness. All the other pace players are drawn outside Art Collector, which may force this son of Bernardini to come out running and vie for the early lead.

3. Max Player

A consistent late runner, Max Player probably isn’t fast enough to win the Preakness, but he’s capable of securing a piece of the purse.

Third in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and fifth in the Kentucky Derby, Max Player figures to capitalize on a contested pace and produce his tried-and-true rally to finish on the board.

4. Pneumatic

After he rolled to victory in the Aug. 15 Pegasus (G3) at Monmouth Park, Pneumatic could have been considered for a start in the Kentucky Derby. Instead, his connections opted to wait for the Preakness, so this improving son of Uncle Mo will join the Triple Crown fresh and fit for a peak effort.

He finished just 2 1/2 lengths behind Max Player when fourth in the Belmont Stakes, so even a small step forward in the Preakness can place Pneumatic in the hunt for a top-three finish.

5. Swiss Skydiver

The runner-up behind Art Collector in the Blue Grass (G2), Swiss Skydiver enters the Preakness off a runaway victory in the Alabama (G1) and a game, runner-up effort in the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

This speedy filly has put together a busy season and faces several other pace players in the Preakness, but if she brings her "A" game, Swiss Skydiver is capable of finishing on the board.

The form of her Alabama victory received a boost over the weekend, when fourth-place finisher Envoutante returned to win the Remington Park Oaks (G3).