This year’s Preakness Stakes has already been very exciting for horse bettors and the race has not even begun! The 149th Preakness Stakes is taking place this Saturday and sportsbooks are expecting record bets on the race. For those intending or have already put their Preakness Stakes wager, here are the Preakness Stakes Preview and Update.
A lot of people are looking at Mystik Dan, the Kentucky Derby champion. This is because he will be aiming for victory in the second leg of the Triple Crown at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Especially since we know the favorite to win now that Muth is out of the race due to a spiking fever.
Preakness Stakes Preview and Update – Muth is Scratched
In a surprising turn of events, the morning line favorite, Muth, had to be withdrawn from the race due to a sudden fever. This unfortunate development occurred just hours after Muth’s arrival at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Trainer Bob Baffert revealed that the young thoroughbred’s temperature had spiked to a concerning 103 degrees Fahrenheit.
At the post-position draw Monday, Muth opened as the 8-5 favorite, with Mystik Dan second at 5-2. However, with Muth out of the picture, the spotlight now falls on Mystik Dan, the victorious 2024 Kentucky Derby champion. For those that bet on horses, this is How Pay Per Head Software is used for sports betting. This is because s a Pay Per Head Software will change the lines for you without bookies having to manually change it.
Mystik Dan had been trailing slightly behind Muth in the Preakness favorites list, but now he has one less competitor standing in his way. If he manages to secure a win, Mystik Dan could join the prestigious ranks of horses like Justify, who achieved the remarkable feat of winning both the Derby and the Preakness in 2018.
For those who’s horse wager was changed because of this, consider being on the other side of the fence. This can easily be done by opening a racebook of your own.
According to horse racing forums, the weather forecast suggests a chance of rain this Saturday. This means we might experience some messy conditions, with the National Weather Service predicting showers and even thunderstorms after 2 p.m. If not, expect cloudy skies with temperatures reaching around 71 degrees.
The 8 Horses that will Compete in the 2024 Preakness Stakes
Post 1. Mugatu (by Blofeld), Jeff Enger, Joe Bravo, 20-1
Mugatu has had a rather challenging journey. With only one win out of twelve starts and no success in his three stakes starts, the odds seem stacked against him. In his most recent race, the Grade 1 Blue Grass at Keeneland, Mugatu finished fifth, trailing 7 1/2 lengths behind Sierra Leone, who eventually became the Derby runner-up. Despite being a 118-1 underdog that day, Mugatu managed to surpass expectations and outrun his odds.
Post 2. Uncle Heavy (by Social Inclusion), Robert E. Reid Jr., Irad Ortiz Jr, 20-1
Uncle Heavy (by Social Inclusion) is quite the contender, boasting an impressive record of three wins in just five starts. One of his notable triumphs was in the Grade III Withers Stakes, where he conquered a muddy Aqueduct track back in February. Although the competition may not have been the strongest, he managed to secure victory by a mere nose over El Grande O.
However, in his most recent outing, he finished fifth in the Grade II Wood Memorial, a considerable 11 lengths behind Resilience, who also went on to claim fifth place in the prestigious Kentucky Derby.
Post 3. Catching Freedom (by Constitution), Brad Cox, Flavien Prat, 6-1
Brad Cox’s horse, Catching Freedom, ridden by Flavien Prat, finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby with odds of 6-1. Despite the focus on the intense competition at the front, his late surge in the race went unnoticed. He closed the gap and was only 1 3/4 lengths behind the winner. With a previous victory in the Louisiana Derby, where Preakness rival Tuscan Gold came in third, Catching Freedom has proven his ability to compete.
The question now is whether he can deliver another strong performance after two challenging races in a row. An interesting pattern emerges from his past races – he has won every other race: first, fourth, first, third, first, fourth. If this trend continues, he is certainly due for another victory.
Post 4. Muth (Scratched)
Unfortunately, the highly anticipated Preakness Stakes will be missing its top contender, Muth, as the horse had to be withdrawn on Wednesday due to a sudden rise in temperature. Muth, who emerged victorious in the Arkansas Derby earlier this year by defeating the Kentucky Derby-winner Mystik Dan, was the clear favorite with odds of 8-5 to triumph in the race.
Post 5. Mystik Dan (by Goldencents), Kenny McPeek, Brian Hernandez Jr., 5-2
Mystik Dan, trained by Kenny McPeek and ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., emerged victorious in the Kentucky Derby with an impressive performance. The jockey’s daring move along the rail during the final stretch paved the way for this well-deserved win. With Muth’s withdrawal, Mystik Dan takes the lead in the morning line, a position that truly suits him. For those thinking about opening a racebook
However, it’s important to acknowledge that this triumph comes after only two previous wins, with a third-place finish in the Arkansas Derby. In that race, Mystik Dan trailed not only Muth but also Just Steel, who is back for this upcoming event. McPeek has expressed concerns about the colt’s performance on a two-week rest, which is the case here. Despite these reservations, the opportunity was too enticing to ignore.
Post 6. Seize the Grey (by Arrogate), D. Wayne Lukas, Jaime Torres, 15-1
This contender’s recent victory in the Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs has put him on the radar. Despite finishing third in the Jeff Ruby Steaks and seventh in the Blue Grass, his performance in the Pat Day Mile was noteworthy. With a strong pedigree that includes Arrogate and Smart Strike, he might just have what it takes to go the distance.
Post 7. Just Steel (by Justify), D. Wayne Lukas, Joel Rosario, 15-1
This contender has been showing a pattern of alternating between good races and bad races. After finishing second in the Grade III Southwest Stakes, he placed seventh in the Grade II Rebel, then came in second in the Arkansas Derby. Despite finishing 17th in the Run for the Roses, Lukas had excuses for the Derby outcome. However, he has yet to prove he can outperform the top contenders. It’s worth noting that Justify is a highly sought-after young sire, and Lukas, at 88 years old, is experiencing a bit of a career resurgence.
Post 8. Tuscan Gold (by Medaglia d’Oro), Chad Brown, Tyler Gaffalione, 8-1
With just three previous starts and a single victory under his belt, Tuscan Gold (by Medaglia d’Oro) is the least-experienced contender in the race. However, Chad Brown, his trainer, clearly saw potential in his third-place finish at the Louisiana Derby, which prompted him to skip the Kentucky Derby and focus on this race instead.
Brown has a knack for placing his horses in the right spots, and Tuscan Gold ran a strong race in Louisiana, staying close to the pace and finishing behind two competitors who made impressive comebacks. In order to leave his mark in this race, Tuscan Gold will need to step up his game and show improvement. But there’s something about him that suggests he has the potential to do just that.
