Preakness 2017: Contenders & Sleepers Picks

Always Dreaming is the favorite to win today’s Preakness. (Getty)

With the Kentucky Derby behind us, the Preakness is here as the second leg of the Triple Crown gets underway today. Heavy is here to breakdown the contenders and a few sleepers to keep an eye on for today’s race.

After his win at Churchill Downs, Always Dreaming enters the race as the favorite to find the Winner’s Circle again. Always Dreaming has had comfortable victories in his last two outings. In both the Kentucky Derby and Florida Derby, Always Dreaming used his speed to get out in front and stayed ahead of the competition.

Always Dreaming is not the only contender for today’s race. Classic Empire was beat up during the Kentucky Derby and is looking for redemption at Pimlico. Lookin at Lee is eyeing an even better performance than his second place Derby finish two weeks ago.

Here’s a rundown of the 2017 Preakness contenders and sleepers.

Contenders

Always Dreaming enters the Preakness as the favorite. (Getty)

Always Dreaming: There’s a reason the Derby winner is the favorite. The horse has proven his versatility winning in a variety of conditions and circumstances. He has won in pristine conditions and in the mud at Churchill Downs. Always Dreaming has not only won the Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby but won both races convincingly. The horse has been able to outpace the field with BRIS numbers 100 or higher in both races.

Classic Empire: Many are picking Classic Empire to get redemption after a disappointing Kentucky Derby. Heavy has skepticism over the horse. He has had an inconsistent prep season missing time with a foot abscess. The horse faced a must-win situation in the Arkansas Derby and was able to advance. However, he was beat up during the Kentucky Derby and one of his eyes was swollen shut after the race. There are too many questions to pick Classic Empire with confidence.

Lookin at Lee: The best way to describe this horse is solid. Lookin at Lee has not won a race since August 2016. He finished second in the Kentucky Derby and third in the Arkansas Derby. Lookin at Lee should have a solid finish but a victory would be a tall task for a horse without a win this calendar year.

Sleepers

Conquest Mo Money is a name to watch at the Preakness. (Getty)

Conquest Mo Money: The horse comes to Pimlico well-rested after sitting out the Derby. Conquest Mo Money came up just short from finding the Winner’s Circle at the Arkansas Derby and Sunland Derby. He placed second in both races. The horse could make a late push to challenge the favorites. The horse has good but not great speed.

Multiplier: While he has done it against lesser competition, Multiplier could be the fastest horse in today’s race. He scored the highest BRIS Speed number of any horse in today’s race with a 104 at the Illinois Derby. Multiplier has gotten faster in each of his last three races and has the speed to make a run at the Preakness.