Heading into this year’s event, many racing enthusiasts are wondering about the Preakness Stakes horses competing on Saturday, May 18. The yearly event serves as the second leg in the prestigious trio of races known as the Triple Crown.
Along with all the pomp and circumstance of the big event at Pimlico Race Course, also comes millions of dollars in bets.
Related: Preakness Stakes FAQ – Everything you need to know about the 2024 race
If you were one of the folks who made the smart choice and put your money down on National Treasure last year, then congratulations. If you are looking to win big in 2024, then take a look at the horses running in this year’s race.
Horses at Preakness Stakes 2024
Each year, as many as 14 horses take to Pimlico Race Course looking to add their name to a long list of winners at the legendary race. The 2024 edition has 10 horses, including 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan.
Mystik Dan
Mystik Dan was not one of the favorites heading into the Kentucky Derby but shocked the field by leading for most of the race and winning with a photo finish. While he will be a popular choice at the Preakness, coming up short in the Arkansas Derby to Preakness competitors Muth and Just Steel is something to consider when placing your bet. But with Muth now out of the race he has risen to the spot of pre-race favorite.
Odds: 8-5
Muth
Ahead of the race, Bob Baffert-trained horse Muth was a sizable favorite. In six events, the colt has four wins (and two second-place finishes) including victories in his last two. He has a March win over Mystik Dan and was kept out of the derby so he can run at his beat on May 18 in Baltimore. Unfortunately, days before the event Muth was scratched from the race and has opened the door even more for Mystik Dan to win leg to of the Triple Crown.
Odds: Scratched
Imagination
Imagination is another Bob Baffert-trained three-year-old in the race and should be taken seriously as a dark horse. While the colt has just two wins in six races, he has never finished lower than second. Horses hit their peaks at around this time and the fact that he is a 3-1 bet shows oddsmakers see the potential in him taking him a victory at this year’s Preakness.
Odds: 3-1
Uncle Heavy
Heading into April, Uncle Heavy seemed like a horse that might be growing into a serious Triple Crown race contender. However, after three of his first four races, he finished fifth 2024 Wood Memorial. Now, Uncle Heavy is one of the biggest underdogs on Saturday. But don’t be shocked if the horse showcases its talent and performs well on race day.
Odds: 20-1
Just Steel
Just Steel is one of the most experienced horses in this year’s field after running 12 times since beginning his career a year ago. However, a 17th-place finish in the Derby is not a good reason for much confidence. Nevertheless, Just Steel should not be underestimated on race day.
Odds: 12-1
Seize the Gray
D. Wayne Lukas-trained horse Seize the Gray has had an up-and-down 2024. While he has two victories, including in a race on the same day as the Derby, he has seventh and third-place finishes recently too. Furthermore, he has come up short in races this year against other horses he will see at the Preakness.
Odds: 12-1
Mugatu
Mugatu, the horse named after the hilarious villain from “Zoolander” is another one of the most experienced colts in this year’s field. However, he is one of the biggest longshots to win on May 11 for good reason. In 12 races the horse just has one victory and that came late last year, and in seven of those races Mugatu has finished fourth or worse. Weirder things have happened in Triple Crown races but Mugatu isn’t worth the bet for a regular Joe making a wager.
Odds: 20-1
Catching Freedom
Brad H. Cox-trained colt Catching Freedom is one to keep an eye on this weekend. The three-year-old looked strong in winning the Louisiana Derby and finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby earlier this month. Catching Freedom has 6-1 odds heading into the event, which shows oddsmakers see serious potential in the colt.
Odds: 7-2
Tuscan Gold
Tuscan Gold is one of the least experienced colts in Saturday’s race. The Chad C. Brown-trained horse has only had three races and just one victory. However, the fact that he has 9-2 odds in a talented Preakness field says a lot about the potential oddsmakers see. Tuscan Gold has the ability to earn a top-three finish in the May event.
Odds: 9-2
Odds for all the 2024 Preakness Stakes horses
Below you can take a look at all of the horses that will compete in the 2024 Preakness Stakes, including 2024 Kentucky Derby champ Mystik Dan.
- Mystik Dan odds: 8-5
- Catching Freedom – 7-2
- Imagination odds: 3-1
- Tuscan Gold odds: 9-2
- Just Steel odds: 12-1
- Seize the Gray odds: 12-1
- Uncle Heavy odds: 20-1
- Mugatu odds: 20-1
- Muth odds: Scratched
Prediction: Look for Bob Baffert-trained contender Imagination to showcase his impressive talent and beat race favorite Mystik Dan.
Who won the 2023 Preakness Stakes
National Treasure was the favorite heading into the Preakness Stakes 2023 and showed exactly why on race day. From the start, Treasure led the and then held on to the spot throughout the mile-long run to history.
While Mage was the horse many were rooting for to win the second leg of the Triple Crown, he finished third as Treasure dominated and was able to hold off a late charge from Blazing Sevens to win the 2023 race.