The second leg of the Triple Crown is set to begin with the Preakness Stakes this Saturday from Pimlico. Of course, the main story line is always whether we can get a triple crown sweat at Belmont, and to do that, we need the Kentucky Derby winner to win the second leg here. That means Mystik Dan is the horse to beat thanks to an early week scratch, and certainly the horse will have every eye on him. More importantly than that is the betting board, which, like anything, has some potential up and down the post positions. Let’s dive into the 2024 Preakness Stakes odds as I dish out my picks and predictions.
2024 Preakness Stakes Odds, Picks & Predictions
2024 Preakness Stakes Odds, Picks & Predictions
Preakness Stakes Odds
| Post | Horse | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MUGATU | 20-1 |
| 2 | UNCLE HEAVY | 20-1 |
| 3 | CATCHING FREEDOM | 7-2 |
| 4 | MUTH | SCR |
| 5 | MYSTIK DAN | 8-5 |
| 6 | SEIZE THE GREY | 12-1 |
| 7 | JUST STEEL | 12-1 |
| 8 | TUSCAN GOLD | 9-2 |
| 9 | IMAGINATION | 3-1 |
Preakness Stakes Picks & Predictions
Unlike the Kentucky Derby this is a much smaller field with just 8 horses vying for the glory. There was originally 9 horses, but Muth scratched which shakes up the entire field as they would have been amongst if not the outright favorite.
Another factor is the potential weather with a lot of rain around this track leading up to the race. This could benefit Mystik Dan who seems to like the slop and that’s something else to consider this week.
I’m going to be look elsewhere, with the following horses on my short list to take this down and spoil the triple crown threat this year:
8) Tuscan Gold (was 8-1, now 9-2): Unlike most of the field, this horse is a mystery, with only a few races in his career. That gives me some hesitation but more intrigue as I think he could be sitting on a big race.
He finished third at the Louisiana Derby behind Catching Freedom but showed progress in terms of the speed figures. With jockey Tyler Gaffalione aboard, he could be forwardly placed, and I honestly think he will be sitting nicely turning for home.
With Muth out of this race, it’s really wide open, giving me even more interest in a horse we really do not know that much about. If you don’t want to bet him to win this is a horse to consider for exactas, trifectas, or other exotics.
9) Imagination (was 6-1, now 3-1): It’s another Bob Baffert horse here in Imagination, who, so far in his career, has proven more than up to the task. In six career starts he has two wins and four runner-ups, so hitting the board shouldn’t be an issue here.
This horse could show early speed, and, in a race with just seven other horses, if he gets loose on the front end, he may never be caught. If you are looking for an alternative to Mystik Dan this is a very live winner of the race, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see this odds drop come post time.
My 2024 Preakness Stakes Picks & Predictions: 9 to Win, 8-9 Exacta Box
