Preakness 2018: Morning line odds have Justify as favorite

The field is set for the 143rd running of the Preakness Stakes. Eight horses will be competing on the second leg of the Triple Crown, though only Kentucky Derby winner Justify if going for said Crown. And after Wednesday’s post position draw, we also have the latest morning line odds.

As expected, Justify is the favorite at 1-2 odds (-200), with Good Magic expected to be his top competition at 3-1 (+300). In other words, a $100 bet on Justify, as of these odds, pays out $150, while a $100 bet on Good Magic pays out $400.

Below, you can see the full morning line odds (listed in order of post position).

1. Quip (12-1)
2. Lone Sailor (15-1)
3. Sporting Chance (30-1)
4. Diamond King (30-1)
5. Good Magic (3-1)
6. Tenfold (20-1)
7. Justify (1-2)
8. Bravazo (20-1)

It’s somewhat surprising to see Bravazo at 20-1 (+2000) as the horse has had plenty of supporters and experts talking about him in the lead-up to the Preakness. Many thought he would be the top challenger to Justify after Good Magic, but both of Quip (+1200) and Lone Sailor (+1500) have better odds.

Justify also started the Kentucky Derby from the seventh post, and was the favorite going into the race. The last horse to win the Preakness from the seventh spot was Lookin at Lucky in 2010. The fourth spot is where Always Dreaming, the 2017 Derby winner, started and that Triple Crown bid ended with an eighth-place finish (out of 10).

The Preakness is the second and shortest of the three Triple Crown events, with a length of 9 1/2 furlongs. It is set for Saturday, May 19.