Classic Empire vs. Lookin At Lee
Classic Empire or Lookin At Lee? Which contender will finish higher in the 2017 Preakness Stakes this evening?
The Odds
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, Classic Empire is -275 to finish ahead of Lookin At Lee, who has odds of +215 to pull off the upset. Neither horse has to win the race in order to cash in on this prop bet, he simply has to beat his competitor.
Classic Empire Snapshot
Despite being slammed at the start, Classic Empire recovered from a bad trip at the Kentucky Derby to rally midstretch. He finished off the board at fourth, but a better trip in the Preakness Stakes could lead to victory. A Mark Casse-trained thoroughbred, Classic Empire won the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby, finished third in the Grade 2 Holy Bull, and also was a 2-year-old champion, with victories in the Grade 1 Breedres’ Cup Juvenil and the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity Stakes.
Lookin At Lee Snapshot
Lookin At Lee lived up to his reputation as a true closer in the Kentucky Derby. After rallying third in the Arkansas Derby, Lookin At Lee hugged the rail, closed late and finished second to Always Dreaming at Churchill Downs two weeks ago. Granted, he’s only won twice in his 10 career starts, but Lookin At Lee is talented and consistent. Sire Lookin At Lucky won the 2010 Preakness and his trainer Steve Asmussen has reached the Preakness winner’s circle with two of the sport’s biggest starts this century in Curlin (2007) and Rachel Alexandra (2009).
Preakness Stakes Prediction
I’m willing to bet that Lookin At Lee doesn’t upset Classic Empire again. Classic Empire has outstanding speed and if it weren’t for the bad trip at Churchill Downs, I believe he finishes inside the money. (It was impressive that he was even able to finish fourth after being banged around early.) Lookin At Lee is as consistent a contender as they come, but I’m taking Classic Empire here.
2017 Preakness Stakes Predictions: Classic Empire over Lookin At Lee