How to bet Preakness Stakes 2024: Horses, odds, favorites, tips - ESPN

The second leg of the Triple Crown begins Saturday night at Pimlico Race Track in Baltimore with the 149th running of the Preakness Stakes. The Preakness is the shortest distance of the three Triple Crown races at 10 furlongs (3¹⁄₁₆ miles), meaning speed plays a huge factor in handicapping.

The eight-horse field is much smaller than the Kentucky Derby (20) and the weather report will also be important to monitor, with a 60% chance of rain on Saturday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan will look to become the first horse since Justify in 2018 to win both the Derby and the Preakness in the same year.

Bob Baffert-trained Muth opened as the 8-5 morning-line favorite to win the Preakness but was scratched early Wednesday because of a fever. Mystik Dan opened as the second choice (5-2) and there are plenty of other horses set to contend in Baltimore.

Here is everything you need to know to bet on the 149th Preakness Stakes.

Check out the facts and figures behind the Preakness after betting favorite Muth is scratched from the race.

Muth was scratched Wednesday morning because of a fever. According to trainer Baffert, Muth had a 103-degree temperature and will be on antibiotics for the next week. «We are sick about this,» Baffert told reporters Wednesday. «The horse had been doing well. But we have to do what's right by the horse.»

Muth was the best horse in this race and would have been favored in the Kentucky Derby had Baffert not been banned from Churchill Downs. Muth's absence in the race leaves lots of opportunity for the remaining field and will likely shifts the odds as post time approaches.

All eyes will be on Mystik Dan on Saturday afternoon. He won the Kentucky Derby