The 149th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore is set to take place this weekend, with Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan looking to become the first Triple Crown winner since 2018. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who was ineligible to enter a horse at the Kentucky Derby due to a ban at Churchill Downs, will be making his return to the Triple Crown races with Imagination as he seeks his ninth win at the Preakness. Mystik Dan, ridden by jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., will be aiming to follow in the footsteps of Baffert’s previous Triple Crown winner, Justify.
The field for the Preakness Stakes includes Mugatu, Uncle Heavy, Catching Freedom, Mystik Dan, Seize the Grey, Just Steel, Tuscan Gold, and Imagination. The betting odds currently favor Mystik Dan at 8-5, with Catching Freedom at 7-2 and Imagination at 3-1 close behind. The withdrawal of Baffert-trained horse Muth, who was the early favorite, due to a fever has shifted the focus to Mystik Dan as the frontrunner in the race. Baffert will still have a horse entered in the race, but the absence of Muth has opened the door for other contenders to emerge.
The favorites to win the Preakness Stakes include Mystik Dan, Catching Freedom, and Imagination, with the absence of Muth changing the landscape of the race significantly. Zedan Racing Stables made the decision to withdraw Muth from the race in order to prioritize the horse’s long-term health and allow him to recover fully from the fever. Despite this setback, the race is still expected to be highly competitive, with Mystik Dan now in a prime position to secure the Triple Crown title.
The Preakness Stakes is scheduled to take place at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on May 18, 2024, with a projected post time of 6:50 p.m. ET. The event will be televised on NBC, providing viewers with the opportunity to watch the highly anticipated race live. With a purse of $2 million up for grabs, the stakes are high for all the contenders vying for victory in one of the most prestigious races in horse racing. Fans can stay updated with Fox News Digital’s sports coverage and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter for more information on the Preakness Stakes and other sporting events.
