Preakness: McPeek still on the fence with Swiss Skydiver

Even with official word having come down Tuesday that Tiz the Law will not run in the Oct. 3 Preakness, trainer Ken McPeek said the following morning that “we’re not in any hurry” in deciding whether Swiss Skydiver will contest the final leg of the 2020 Triple Crown.

“I’m still probably going to wait until Monday morning to decide,” McPeek said.

Entries for the 145th Preakness will be drawn at noon Eastern on Monday at the host track, Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. A potential sweep of the Triple Crown was eliminated in the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby when Tiz the Law, winner of the June 20 Belmont Stakes, finished second as the odds-on favorite behind Authentic.

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McPeek said a breeze Saturday at Churchill Downs will factor into his decision on the next start for Swiss Skydiver, a four-time 2020 graded stakes winner whose lone prior race versus male competition resulted in a runner-up finish behind Art Collector in the July 11 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.

“The filly has had a really good week,” McPeek said. “There’s no need to make any kind of decision just yet. Let’s see how she works Saturday and we’ll go from there.”

If Swiss Skydiver does not go in the Preakness, McPeek intends to use the Oct. 4 Spinster or the Oct. 10 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup as a final prep for her toward his year-end goal, the Nov. 7 Breeders’ Cup Distaff. All three of those races will be run at Keeneland.

Art Collector, a winner of all four starts this year by open lengths, missed the Derby with an untimely hoof injury that healed quickly. His trainer, Tommy Drury, certainly was not disappointed by the Tiz the Law news Tuesday.

“It only helps our chances,” he said.

Authentic and Art Collector are among at least seven 3-year-olds confirmed for the 1 3/16-mile Preakness. The others are Mr. Big News, Pneumatic, Thousand Words, and a pair of supplementary entries, Liveyourbeastlife and Jesus’ Team.

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Pimlico oddsmaker Keith Feustle said Wednesday he intends to list Authentic as the Preakness favorite over Art Collector. Both of those colts, along with Thousand Words, also are scheduled for final pre-race breezes at Churchill before being flown Tuesday via equine charter to Baltimore. Feustle said if Swiss Skydiver runs, she will be “maybe fourth choice, behind Thousand Words,” on his line.

Besides Swiss Skydiver, a trio of other Preakness prospects also were still on the fence Wednesday, those being Mystic Guide and the Todd Pletcher duo of Dr Post and Happy Saver. All three have the Oct. 10 Jockey Club Gold Cup as an alternate spot.

As with the preceding two legs of the Triple Crown, no fans will be on hand, with only essential personnel, participants, and some guests and media being allowed inside the Pimlico gates. The Preakness will be part of a sensational 12-race all-stakes card that also will feature such major fixtures as the Black-Eyed Susan and De Francis Dash.