Morning Line Favorite Muth Scratched from Preakness Stakes

A large obstacle has been removed from Mystik Dan’s path to a Triple Crown. On Wednesday morning Pimlico officials revealed Muth has been scratched from Saturday’s Preakness Stakes.

Trained by Bob Baffert, the Hall of Famer said Muth spiked a fever of 103 shortly after the horse arrived in Baltimore Tuesday night.

“We are sick about this. The horse had been doing really well,” Baffert said. “But we have to do what’s right by the horse.”

Muth was victorious in the Arkansas Derby, defeating Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan and Just Steel, who’s entered in each of the first two legs of the Triple Crown. Ineligible to compete at Churchill Downs during Baffert’s suspension, Muth’s owners filed for an injunction in the race, a legal action that ultimately failed.

The horse’s victory over Mystik Dan and its seven-week layoff made Muth the morning line favorite when post positions for the Preakness Stakes were drawn on Monday. Mystik Dan opened at 5-2 and will likely be the favorite when the horses enter the starting gate at Pimlico.

Despite Muth’s absence, Bob Baffert still has a horse in the Preakness Stakes, Santa Anita Derby runner-up Imagination. Three Kentucky Derby runners are preparing to race at Pimlico. The victor will be joined by D. Wayne Lukas’ Just Steel and Brad Cox’s Catching Freedom, who finished fourth at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May.

1. Mugatu, Joe Bravo (20-1)
2. Uncle Heavy, Irad Ortiz Jr. (20-1)
3. Catching Freedom, Flavien Prat (6-1)
4. Muth, Juan Hernandez (8-5)
5. Mystik Dan, Brian Hernandez Jr. (5-2)
6. Seize the Grey, Jaime Torres (15-1)
7. Just Steel, Joel Rosario (15-1)
8. Tuscan Gold, Tyler Gaffalione (8-1)
9. Imagination, Frankie Dettori (6-1)

The Preakness Stakes is Saturday, May 18. NBC will broadcast the second leg of the Triple Crown at 6:50 pm EST.

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