There is a reduced field at the Preakness Stakes relative to the first leg of the Triple Crown, and Kentucky Derby winner Justify is heavily favored to win again at Pimlico Race Course on Saturday.
Preakness odds 2018: Justify the overwhelming favorite at Pimlico
Kentucky Derby winner expected to also win the second leg of the Triple Crown.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Bovada had Justify at -225 to win the Preakness, which means it would take a $225 bet to win $100. But just before race time the official line was 1/5 odds for Justify, an even bigger favorite.
After a 20-horse field at Churchill Downs two weeks ago, there are only eight horses slated to race on Saturday at the Preakness. As such, Justify has less competition for the second leg of the Triple Crown in trying to become the first horse to win the first two races since American Pharoah in 2015.
Bob Baffert was American Pharoah’s trainer three years ago and is Justify’s trainer now. All four of his previous Kentucky Derby winners (Silver Charm in 1997, Real Quiet in 1998 and War Emblem in 2001 were the others) have also won the Preakness.
“If he runs his race, if he shows up — I think every trainer, that’s all we hope for,” Baffert told the Associated Press on Saturday. “I feel good. Right now I feel confident that he’s going to show up.”
Good Magic finished second at the Kentucky Derby, 2½ lengths behind Justify, and is listed at 5/1 odds, meaning a $100 bet would win $500. Quip is the next favorite at 11/1, much more of a longshot.
The Preakness Stakes has a post time of 6:48 p.m. ET. Television coverage from Pimlico starts on NBCSN from 2:30-5 p.m., then NBC will take over from 5-7 p.m., with online streaming available through NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.
Preakness Stakes odds
Post | Horse | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quip | 11/1 |
| 2 | Lone Sailor | 12/1 |
| 3 | Sporting Chance | 22/1 |
| 4 | Diamond King | 19/1 |
| 5 | Good Magic | 5/1 |
| 6 | Tenfold | 25/1 |
| 7 | Justify | 1/5 |
| 8 | Bravazo | 14/1 |
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