The 2024 Preakness Stakes (Saturday, May 18 on NBC/Peacock) will be the 149th edition of the annual horse race in Baltimore. This is the second annual stop in the pursuit of the Triple Crown of horse racing. Mystik Dan will compete in this year’s Preakness after doubting he would compete in the race due to the short distance between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 Preakness Stakes.
What are the challenges of the Preakness?
The Preakness Stakes is the second race in the Triple Crown series and is being run for the 149th time this year. A blanket of yellow flowers is draped over the winner each year and the Pimlico weather vane is painted in silk colors immediately after the winner is declared. The field is much smaller than the 20 horses that start the Kentucky Derby each year. This year, only eight horses will participate in the Preakness. Only horses aged three are eligible to compete in the Preakness Stakes, and it is open to both male and female horses. Swiss Skydiver, a filly, won the Preakness Stakes in 2020 and Rachel Alexandra won in 2009.
GO FURTHER
Everything you need to know about the horses running in the Preakness on Saturday
When is the 2024 Preakness Stakes?
The 2024 Preakness Stakes will take place on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.
Which horses are in the 2024 Preakness Stakes and their odds?
- Mugatu – 20-1
- Uncle Heavy – 7-1
- Catching Liberty – 7-2
- Muth – Striped
- Mystik Dan – 5-2
- Seizing the Gray – 8-1
- Just Steel – 9-1
- Tuscan Gold – 7-2
- Imaginary – 9-2
What time does the 2024 Preakness Stakes start?
End time for the Preakness Stakes is set for 7:01 p.m. ET.
How long is the Preakness Stakes?
The race is 1 3/16 miles. Secretariat holds the Preakness Stakes record at 1:53, although he was not credited with the record until a 2012 meeting of the Maryland Racing Commission. Smarty Jones holds the victory margin record with an 11 1/2 length victory in 2004. Trainer Bob Baffert has won the Preakness Stakes eight times, most recently in 2023.
Who won the 2023 Preakness Stakes?
In 2023, National Treasure won the Preakness Stakes by a head over Blazing Sevens. National Treasure was 4-1 on the morning line. Mage, winner of the 2023 Kentucky Derby, finished third.
What is the weather forecast for the 2024 Preakness Stakes?
The forecast for Saturday calls for a high of 66 degrees and a low of 58 degrees. The biggest news is that there is an 80 percent chance of rain Saturday throughout the day, with an accumulation of about half an inch.
How can I watch and stream the 2024 Preakness Stakes?
Television coverage of the 2024 Preakness Stakes begins at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Preliminary coverage begins at 1:30 p.m. on CNBC. All coverage can also be streamed on Peacock.
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Who is the favorite for the 2024 Preakness Stakes?
Mystik Dan is the 5-2 favorite for the 2024 Preakness Stakes. Muth, who is trained by Bob Baffert, was the morning line favorite when positions were drawn Monday night, but Muth was eliminated due to a high fever.
Catching Freedom (6-1) and Imagination (6-1) have the second best odds.
What does the morning line mean?
This is the first set of odds, published after the position announcement. Horse racing is parimutuel betting, meaning you can buy a ticket on the horse you want to win (or venue or show, etc.), but the odds will fluctuate until the race starts and eventually land on the final odds as the horses go, depending on what everyone is betting. In classic sports betting, you can buy a ticket with odds of 5 to 1 and even if it drops to 2 to 1 at the start of the game, your bet will pay out at 5 to 1. In horse racing, these odds from 5 to 1 going to 2 to 1 means you get stuck with those 2 to 1 odds like everyone else, no matter when the ticket was purchased (but, on the bright side, the odds can still go the other way as well).
What is Black-Eyed Susan Stakes?
The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes takes place the Friday before the Preakness at Pimlico. It pits the best 3-year-old fillies against each other. The event is a Level II race and offers a $300,000 purse. It will air starting at 4:30 p.m. ET Friday on Peacock.
How does Preakness Stakes betting work?
There are many different ways to bet on the Preakness Stakes, and it can be confusing to understand what an exacta, trifecta, and superfecta are. It is also confusing how to bet on them.
The easiest way is to bet on the winner of the race. Here we have explained all the different types of horse racing betting.
(Photo: Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan leaves the track after a practice session at Pimlico Race Course: Julio Cortez/AP Photo)
