7 Horses to watch out for this 2021 Preakness Stakes

Every year, the Preakness Stakes are held in Baltimore, Maryland on the third of Saturday. This year the horse race will be held this May 15th in 2021. Here in this competition, the finest three year-old thoroughbreds try to win and show themselves to be the best horse.

Although there have been troubles especially with the COVID-19 pandemic, the race will not stop. To continue this event, this should practice social distancing protocols as most of the audience will be virtually watching. Nevertheless, the event is still engaging and inviting. For example, the food, drink, and merchandise that are usually distributed in the event will be available through mobile phone ordering. 

In the 146th Preakness Stakes race, people would want to know the best horses and trainers that could possibly compete and win. Here is the list

Medina Spirit

Medina Spirit won his fourth Kentucky Derby award during its latest race last May 2nd beating the undefeated champion, Essential Quality. This May 15th, it is now attempting to win its second jewel in the Preakness Stakes. If he wins, his awards will take another space with his other trophies and medals. Because of his latest win, he is the biggest competitor to win as he eyes for the Triple Crown.

This is a dark bay colt that was bred in Florida. It is jockeyed by John Velasquez and trained by Bob Baffert who has also won the 2020 Derby race with his trained horse, Authentic. Medina Spirit has won races in Maiden Special Weight Race during his debut in the two year old season. He is seen as brilliantly fast and his hall of famer trainer,  Bob Baffert quoted him as a horse with a “heart of a champion”. His other notable win is from Robert B. Lewis stake.

Essential Quality

Essential Quality is a 3 year old Gray or Roan Colt which was bred in Kentucky. He is trained by Brad H. Cox and ridden by Luis Saez. It is definitely his year last year as he won his career debut. Overall he already won as the first placer in 5 races and 2 of it is from 2021. He was undefeated until Medina Spirit beat him recently. 

Essential Quality is the Kentucky Derby favorite last year as he won its 2020 race. The question, will that be the case for the Preakness Stakes? Although Medina Spirit beat him during the latest Derby, he might have been just lucky. 

Concert Tour

Concert Tour is also trained by Bob Baffert, same as Medina Spirit’s trainer and jockeyed by Joel Rosario. This horse was a first placer three times and only became a third placer once. He is also trained by the Hall of Famer. 

He was fast but he was out of energy during the last parts of the race and won third in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby. However he easily won Grade 2 Rebel Stakes and Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes. He was undefeated before running 3rd place. Nonetheless, still a good bet. 

Mandaloun

Mandaloun is a Bay Colt that was born in 2018 and was bred in Kentucky. Although Medina Spirit beat him in the latest Kentucky Derby race, this horse is still quite the competitor with his 3 firsts, 1 second, 1 third, and 6 starts. 

He has the same trainer as Essential Quality, Brad H. Cox, and he is jockeyed by Florent Geroux. He still won 2nd placer in the Derby race and could easily topple the first placer. Either Medina Spirit or Essential Quality might have been winning the preakness betting lineup, but consider other horses such as Mandaloun as well. 

Caddo River

Caddo River has the same trainer and has the same jockey with Mandaloun. He has 2 firsts and 3 seconds. Although he is not like the previously mentioned horses with their wins, he could be the underdog horse you could possibly bet for. He could possibly be the wild card. 

Crowded Trade

Crowded Trade is trained by Eric Cancel and jockeyed by Chad C. Brown. Not as promising as the previously mentioned horses but he also had his first, second, and third in horse races. He is also trained by Eric Cancel and this trainer has his 78 first. He may be another underdog but he could possibly surprise you and win. 

Rombauer

Rombauer is a 3 year old Colt that is trained by Michael W. McCarthy. He won El Camino Real Derby and MSW. His wins might be sporadic but you never know, he could be a first placer again.

Conclusion

The Preakness Stakes is already approaching and the horses just kept getting competitive. Although Medina Spirit and Essential Quality seemed like the horse to beat, better watch out for other horses such as Concert Tour, Mandaloun, and underdogs such as Caddo River, Rombauer, and Crowded Trade.

Despite the pandemic, the thoroughbred horse races will never stop as the horses and its trainers thrive for competition and the audiences always miss the Preakness Stakes. This competition is culturally ingrained in the culture of sports and is also fun with guest performances as well. 

Category: International