2020 Preakness Stakes Odds: Betting Picks & Preview

The 2020 Triple Crown comes to an end on October 3 at Pimlico, with the field still very much in flux for early Preakness Stakes odds. 

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In this year of the pandemic, the Triple Crown went from the three classic races run over its traditional five-week time frame to 15 weeks with the finale in Baltimore instead of New York.

There will be no Triple Crown winner in 2020, after Tiz the Law started off the series by winning the Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 20. The colt was unable to get to Authentic in the stretch in the Kentucky Derby on September 5, settling for the runner-up spot as the beaten favorite.

On September 22, it was announced that Tiz the Law will not run in the Preakness, which had a direct impact on odds to win the Preakness Stakes.

“Our primary interest is doing what’s right for the horse and in this case he’s not ready,” said Jack Knowlton, managing partner of Tiz the Law. “We look forward to training him up to the Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 17.”

Authentic gave Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert his record-tying sixth win in the Run for the Roses. The colt was sent off as the third choice in the field of 15 and returned $18.80 for a $2 wager.

“He came out very well, very well,” Baffert said. “He’s ready to go. We would have been ready to go in two weeks.”

To learn more about how to wager on horse racing, check out our How to Bet on Horse Racing page. Post time for the 145th running of the Preakness Stakes is set for approximately 5:40 p.m. ET and coverage begins on NBC at 4:30 p.m.

2020 Preakness Stakes Broadcast Info

2020 Preakness Stakes Odds and Favorites

Odds as of September 30 at Bovada

Betting Odds for the Preakness Stakes Favor Authentic

The Kentucky Derby winner, Authentic, has opened up as the favorite in early Preakness Stakes odds at +150. Trainer Bob Baffert is no stranger to Baltimore, having won the Preakness Stakes seven times, matching the total of R. Wyndham Walden, and he has a chance of making it a record eight.

Authentic has won four of his five starts this year, including the Haskell Invitational (G1) on July 18. His lone loss was a second in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on June 6.

Baffert will also send out Thousand Words, who was a late scratch in the Derby after flipping in the paddock at Churchill Downs. The colt is currently listed at +750 in Preakness Stakes betting odds.

“Thousand Words, he’s fine,” Baffert said. “When he went up, he sort of lost his footing and was on his side. He was OK and was checked out. He’s doing well.”

The colt has won two of his five starts this year, winning the Robert B. Lewis (G3) in February and taking the Shared Belief at Del Mar on August 1, beating heavy favorite Honor A.P. in that win.

To learn more about the various ways to wager on the Preakness Stakes, check out our How to Bet on the Preakness Stakes article.

Don’t Sleep on Art Collector in Preakness Stakes Odds

Art Collector is the current second choice at +250. The colt has won four races in a row, winning the Toyota Blue Grass (G2) and the Ellis Park Derby in his last two starts.

The colt would have likely been the second or third choice in the Kentucky Derby but was not entered after developing a minor foot issue. He reportedly nicked the bulb of his left front heel with a hind hoof while galloping August 31 at Churchill Downs.

The colt breezed at Skyline Training Center on September 12, going four furlongs in 48.10, and his trainer Tom Drury Jr. has been happy with his progress.

Confused about the terminology surrounding win, place and show in horse racing? This helpful guide will explain how it can be a profitable and fun way to bet on the track.

Preakness Stakes Props

Props courtesy of BetOnline