Swiss Skydiver’s trainer Kenny McPeek confirmed Saturday his star filly will take on the boys in next Saturday’s Preakness Stakes.
McPeek told the Daily Racing Form that the decision to run Swiss Skydiver in the final Triple Crown race of 2020 “was one of the toughest decisions of my career.†He made the decision after Swiss Skydiver enjoyed a strong five-furlong breeze Saturday morning. Afterward, McPeek told the DRF that Swiss Skydiver devoured her food in 10 minutes.
Circa Sports immediately updated its Preakness Stakes futures odds, installing Swiss Skydiver as the fourth favorite at +1,150. Kentucky Derby winner Authentic remains your favorite at 8/5.
Swiss Skydiver’s entry makes her the first filly running the Preakness since Ria Antonia finished 10th (last) in the 2014 Preakness at 30/1. Rachel Alexandra in 2009 was the last of five fillies winning the Preakness, and the first in 85 years.
Two Horses Out, One In
Swiss Skydiver’s entry coincides with Happy Saver’s and Dr Post’s defections. The two Todd Pletcher trainees won’t run next week, according to the DRF. This brings the entry list to 11. Entries for the 1 3/16-mile race are due Monday.
This isn’t a novelty. Swiss Skydiver gave Art Collector a good run in July’s Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland. This is the same Art Collector currently sitting as the second favorite at +305 on Circa’s futures board. And the same Art Collector who won the Blue Grass by 3 ½ lengths over Swiss Skydiver who, in turn, beat 11 other colts and geldings.
When Swiss Skydiver hasn’t battled the boys, she’s made mulch of her fellow fillies. Last seen finishing second in the Kentucky Oaks to 17/1 Shedaresthedevil earlier this month, the daughter of Daredevil owns four wins, two seconds, and a third in her eight races this year. The four wins came in graded stakes.
