Early Voting

STRENGTHS: Early Voting’s attributes include relatively high Beyer Speed Figures, proven form in graded stakes, and the most conspicuous quality of all – pace. Early Voting is one of only three front-runners/pace-pressers in the Preakness field, along with favorite Epicenter and longshot Armagnac. Early Voting should be forwardly placed setting or pressing soft fractions. Is he good enough? Probably, yes. He has improved each start, including a 96 Beyer runner-up finish last out. Only one Preakness entrant earned a higher figure last out. Early Voting won a Grade 3 in his second career start, and finished second in a Grade 2 last out. Early Voting has raced only three times. He enters with the same pattern as 2017 Preakness winner Cloud Computing, who also was trained by Chad Brown. Early Voting skipped the Kentucky Derby to target the Preakness, the same pattern employed by Cloud Computing and 2021 Preakness winner Rombauer.

WEAKNESSES: How far does Early Voting want to run? The 1 3/16-mile Preakness distance might be a challenge. Last out at 1 1/8 miles, he squandered a two-length lead in the stretch and missed by a neck. However, he won a nine-furlong race two starts back.

BETTING VALUE: Early Voting benefits from a favorable pace scenario; his second last out was somewhat flattered when winner Mo Donegal finished a respectable fifth in the Kentucky Derby. Notwithstanding distance concerns, Early Voting ranks as a top Preakness contender. This handicapper pegs his fair-value price at 4-1, although his morning line is lower at 7-2. A likely underlay, Early Voting is a contender to wire the field, depending on the tactics by pace rivals Epicenter and Armagnac.