Preakness Stakes 2024: All You Need to Know
Mystik Dan is faced with the task of defeating Imagination, trained by Bob Baffert, Catching Freedom by Brad Cox, and Tuscan Gold by Chad Brown, all of whom pose as formidable contenders. Additionally, there is a possibility of the Preakness taking place on a muddy track.
As rain fell at the Pimlico Race Course on Saturday, anticipation grew for Mystik Dan, the reigning Kentucky Derby champion, as he aimed for consecutive Triple Crown victories in the upcoming Preakness Stakes, facing off against seven other talented horses.
Should Mystik Dan emerge victorious, he would become the first horse since Justify in 2018 to secure triumphs in both the Derby and the Preakness, setting the stage for a remarkable and historic moment in the following month at the Belmont Stakes, where the elusive Triple Crown would be within reach.
However, Mystik Dan’s path to glory is not without challenges. Standing in his way are the formidable opponents, Imagination trained by Bob Baffert, Catching Freedom under Brad Cox’s guidance, and Tuscan Gold trained by Chad Brown. These horses are the primary contenders who will test Mystik Dan’s mettle.
Adding to the uncertainty, the Preakness Stakes might be held on a muddy track, as showers are expected to persist throughout the afternoon, introducing an additional factor of unpredictability to the race.
When is the Preakness Stakes 2024?
The Preakness Stakes is scheduled to have a post time of 6:50 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). The race’s coverage will begin on NBC at 4:30 p.m. ET, and you can also stream it on Peacock.
Initially, trainer Bob Baffert had two horses entered in the race, set to start just after 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). However, Muth, the morning line favorite, was scratched due to a fever earlier in the week. As of Saturday, Mystik Dan opened as the 3-1 favorite, with Catching Freedom and Tuscan Gold both at 7-2 odds, and Imagination at 9-2 odds.
Kenny McPeek, the trainer of Mystik Dan, acknowledged the strong competition, particularly praising Catching Freedom’s training leading up to the Derby and acknowledging the quality of horses brought by Bob Baffert and Chad Brown. McPeek emphasized that victory is not guaranteed in such a competitive field.
WE JUST WON THE PREAKNESS! SEIZE THE GREY IS YOUR 2024 PREAKNESS WINNER. Congrats to all owners!!!! pic.twitter.com/khuUcSMYFB
— MyRacehorse (@MyRacehorse) May 18, 2024
The decision to send Mystik Dan to compete in the Preakness Stakes just two weeks after his narrow victory in the Kentucky Derby was not an automatic one for trainer Kenny McPeek. However, Mystik Dan is one of three horses from the Kentucky Derby participating in the Preakness this year, an increase from one horse last year and two in 2022.
The reluctance of many trainers to pursue the Derby-Preakness double, which was once a common occurrence for Triple Crown contenders, has led to questions about the significance of the Preakness and concerns that it has lost some of its prestige compared to the other races in the series. There are ongoing debates about adjusting the race schedule to accommodate the modern racing landscape, as today’s thoroughbreds typically race less frequently than in previous eras.
This edition of the Preakness will mark the final race held at the aging Pimlico Race Course in its current state, as demolition is scheduled to commence early next year. The 150th running of the Preakness in 2025 will still occur at Pimlico during the construction phase before relocating to Laurel Park in 2026. Subsequently, the event will return to a rebuilt Pimlico in 2027.
When and Where is the Belmont Stakes?
The final leg of the Triple Crown is scheduled to occur on June 8, and for the first time, it will be held at the Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York. This change in venue is due to ongoing renovations taking place at Belmont Park in New York City.
2019: Watched horse racing in Puerto Rico
2022: Went to jockey school
2024: Wins the 149th Preakness StakesJaime Torres, jockey of Seize The Grey, reflects on his victory. pic.twitter.com/qaxY6lWHue
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 18, 2024
The construction at Belmont Park is expected to continue into 2025, which raises the possibility of the Belmont Stakes being hosted at Saratoga for two consecutive years.
Currently, horse racing in New York is being conducted at Aqueduct, located in Queens. It is interesting to note that Aqueduct served as the venue for the Triple Crown finale from 1963 to 1967, which was the last time Belmont Park underwent significant renovations.
