Following the pressure and tension of the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes is much more of a laid-back party atmosphere. The second leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown is a favorite of many horsemen. Including Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lucas. To Lucas, the Pimlico Race Course is easier on the nerves and nervous system. But for this week’s trainers and jockeys, the 2024 Preakness Stakes Odds will have the pressure and demands of a Grade 1 classic. And for Kentucky Derby winner Mystic Dan and crew, there is Triple Crown immortality at stake.
2024 Preakness Stakes
| Date: | Saturday, May 18, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland |
| TV Coverage: | NBC |
2024 Preakness Stakes Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Muth | 11-10 |
| Mystik Dan | 3-1 |
| Tuscan Gold | 5-1 |
| Imagination | 5-1 |
| Just Steel | 10-1 |
| Seize the Gray | 10-1 |
| Copper Tax | 16-1 |
| Uncle Heavy | 20-1 |
| Mugatu | 33-1 |
2024 Preakness Stakes SBG Odds Overview
Following his suspension from competing at the Kentucky Derby, controversial trainer Bob Baffert will enter two horses. Namely, Muth is the online betting favorite for the 2024 Preakness Stakes. And another Baffert horse, Imagination, has a realistic shot at the Black Eyed Susans.
Baffert has long been a target of the horse racing media and industry. Cause by too many of his horses dying under mysterious circumstances. Additionally, too many Baffert horses have flunked drug tests in the past. Although Baffert is a member of the US Racing Hall of Fame and is a 2-time Triple Crown-winning trainer, he is a pariah to millions of fans. Baffert is among the most hated trainers in the eyes of his jealous and resentful competitors, who see him as a dirty cheater.
Still, Baffert has six Kentucky Derby, eight Preakness Stakes, and three Belmont Stakes wins. Baffert has a host of Breeders’ Cup Wins, including five in the Juvenile and four in the classic.
Since 2021, Baffert has been an outcast in the horse racing industry. That year, Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit fluked a drug test. In sum, it was Baffert’s fifth violation in 13 months. Baffert denied all and vowed to fight the results to the end. But Churchill Downs suspended Baffert. Furthermore, Baffert’s problems continued when Medina Spirit died on December 6, 2021. It was the 74th horse to die in Baffert’s stables since 2000.
Thus, Baffert will have plenty of gamblers and haters rooting against him with everything they have. On the other hand, Baffert will draw massive betting support based on the cold, hard fact that he consistently wins the biggest races in the sport.
2024 Preakness Stakes SBG Odds Free Picks
Muth 11/10
First among the favorites at the 149th Preakness Stakes is Muth. Beyond the obvious connection to Bob Baffert, Muth has a strong record of success that will draw betting action. Last time out, Muth was the winner at the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on March 30, 2024.
Previously, Muth was the winner of the Grade 2 San Vicente at Santa Anita. On November 3, 2023, Muth finished second at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile held at Santa Anita. While on October 7, 2023, Muth was the winner of the Grade 1 American Pharoah held at Santa Anita. Of course, that race is named after Baffert’s Triple Crown winner, American Pharoah.
Mystik Dan 3-1
Compared to Bob Baffert, Kenneth McPeek is not as well-known as a trainer. But McPeek is one of the most accomplished trainers in the sport as a winner of all three American Classics. Including the 2020 Preakness Stakes and the 2024 Kentucky Derby with Mystic Dan.
Mystik Dan was not a favorite at the Kentucky Derby but was a profitable winner at $39.22 by taking the wire in a breathtaking photo finish. Now, he enters Pimlico as the second choice with the 2024 Preakness Odds.
Previously, Mystic Dan finished third at the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on March 30, 2024. Before that, on February 3, 2024, Mystic Dan was the winner of the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
Tuscan Gold 5-1
Yet another top trainer, Chad Brown, will lead Tuscan Gold to the starting gate at Pimlico. Brown is a 4-time Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Trainer. He has two Preakness Stakes wins for his career. Including a win in 2022.
Tuscan Gold has only three races in his career and should be fresh. Last time out, Tucson Gold finished 3rd at the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fairgrounds on March 23, 2024.
Imagination 5-1
Imagination, the other Baffert horse, is coming off a 2nd place finish at the Santa Antia Derby on April 6, 2024, at Santa Anita. Previously, Imagination won the Grade 2 San Felipe on March 3, 2024, at Santa Anita.
2024 Preakness Stakes SBG Best Bets: Tucson Gold.