Expert Pick of the Week: Preakness Stakes

Sep 30, 2020 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

An excellent field of 11 sophomores will go postward to contest the final leg of the Triple Crown at Pimlico Race Course on Saturday. The 145th running of the $1 million Preakness (G1) highlights a huge day of racing at the Baltimore venue, and the winner of the storied 1 3/16-mile event will also receive an automatic berth to the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) as part of the “Win and You’re In” challenge series.

Conditioner Steve Asmussen has three potentially live contenders in the cast with very good value attached to them, and I think that the race will set up well for each. Withers (G3) winner Max Player has arguably the best turn of foot in the field in a cast loaded with early speed and is my preference of the trio. He is the Expert Pick of the Week.

Bred in the Bluegrass State, Max Player is winless in his last three outings, but had the misfortune of running into leading sophomore Tiz the Law on each occasion. A rallying third in both the Belmont (G1) and Travers (G1) this campaign, the son of Honor Code never got involved in the Kentucky Derby (G1) most recently when making a belated run to be fifth after a slow break.

The dark bay colt has trained forwardly in preparation of his second assignment for his new connections, led by a bullet five-eighths two works back beneath the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs. Max Player will be well back in the early going on Saturday, but the colt will receive a swift and contested pace to rally into turning for home at a big number.

Max Player upsetting the Preakness Stakes from off the pace is the Best Bet of the Week.