How to Watch, Odds: Preakness Stakes Preview

The 149th running of the Preakness Stakes is this Saturday at Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore. Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan is trying to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown since Justify in 2018. While most of the world will be paying closer attention to the race, the biggest storyline for the future of the sport is off the track.

Pimlico Racecourse has fallen into disrepair, with some speculating the home of the Preakness may be moved. That speculation was put to rest when the Stronach Group turned over ownership of the track to the state of Maryland for only $1. The change will officially take place on July 1. The transaction comes with $400 million in state-allocated funds to renovate the decaying racetrack. Another Maryland racetrack, Laurel Park, will close to shift all future horse racing to Pimlico.

Preakness Post Positions, Odds

There was another significant development off the track this week. Mystik Dan was not the original morning line favorite. That title belonged to Muth until Bob Baffert’s 8-5 horse spiked a fever upon arrival and was scratched. Baffert’s other horse, Imagination, is now the second choice in the race.

Horse	Odds	Jockey	Trainer
Mugatu	20-1	Joe Bravo	Jeff Engler
Uncle Heavy	20-1	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	Robert Reid, Jr.
Catching Freedom	6-1	Flavien Prat	Brad Cox
Muth	SCRATCHED	Juan Hernandez	Bob Baffert
Mystik Dan	5-2	Brian Hernandez, Jr.	Kenny McPeek
Seize the Grey	15-1	Jaime Torres	D. Wayne Lukas
Just Steel	15-1	Joel Rosario	D. Wayne Lukas
Tuscan Gold	8-1	Tyler Gaffalione	Chad Brown
Imagination	5-1	Frankie Dettori	Bob Baffert

How to Watch the Preakness Stakes

The undercard action will be broadcast on CNBC from 1:30-4:30 when the action shifts over to NBC. Post time for the Preakness Stakes is 7:01 pm EST. You can also stream all of the action on Peacock.

Preakness Value Wager

While the horse racing world, including myself, will be cheering for Mystik Dan to win and keep the hopes of a Triple Crown alive for another three weeks, win-betting the horse at 5-2 is not a wise choice.

Imagination closed well to lose by a neck with a 97 Brisnet speed figure in the Santa Anita Derby. Even though the odds may be short by post time, this horse is capable of going wire to wire from the front to win. Chad Brown’s Tuscan Gold performed well against a pair of Kentucky Derby horses in Louisiana, posting a 98-speed figure. These three should be near the front as they charge down the stretch.

$2 Exacta Box ($12 Wager): Mystik Dan, Imagination, Tuscan Gold

Undercard Wagers of the Day

Race 9: Graham Motion gave us the biggest win of Derby Day when his longshot crossed the finish line first at 47-1. Motion’s 6 Naptown starts the day at 8-1 and has a chance to improve in his second start off the layoff and his first start on grass.

Race 10: 8 Tuscan Sky dominated the competition with two wins in the high 90s to begin his career, then hit the Kentucky Derby trail and flamed out in the Wood Memorial. Back in action against lighter competition, Todd Pletcher will have this horse ready to run at Pimlico.