Preakness Odds: Friday Favorites Feature Mystik Dan, Catching Freedom

Get the latest Preakness odds as we close in on 24 hours to go until the second leg of the Triple Crown.

Robert Criscola - Contributor at Covers.com
Robert Criscola • Publishing Editor
May 17, 2024 • 11:53 ET • 4 min read
Mystik Dan Preakness Stakes horse racing
Photo By - USA TODAY Sports

Preakness Stakes advance wagering opened on Friday morning, and it's still Mystik Dan holding as the morning-line favorite following the scratch of Muth. 

We get you up to speed on the latest Preakness odds.

Preakness Stakes Odds Friday: Mystik Dan, Catching Freedom favored

Mystik Dan was expected to be the second-choice in the Preakness despite winning the Kentucky Derby, but with Arkansas Derby winner Muth sidelined due to a fever, he will be the horse with the bullseye on his back this Saturday.

Catching Freedom is anticipated to be a tepid second choice off a fourth-place finish in the "Run for the Roses," but Santa Anita Derby runner-up Imagination could vie for that honor as the remaining Bob Baffert trainee among the Preakness horses.

Last available odds for Preakness Stakes favorites:

  • Mystik Dan: 5-2
  • Catching Freedom: 6-1

What is the Preakness Stakes?

The Preakness Stakes is an annual horse racing event held on the third Saturday in May at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is one of the most prestigious thoroughbred horse races in the United States and is the second jewel of the Triple Crown, following the Kentucky Derby and preceding the Belmont Stakes.

The Preakness Stakes has a long history dating back to 1873, making it one of the oldest races in American horse racing. It is a Grade I stakes race, meaning it attracts top-class horses, jockeys, and trainers from around the country. The race is open to three-year-old Thoroughbreds, and they compete over a distance of 1 3/16 miles (approximately 9.5 furlongs) on a dirt track.

The Preakness Stakes has become known for its exciting and fast-paced nature. It often draws a large crowd, with attendees sporting vibrant attire and participating in festive traditions. The race itself is a thrilling spectacle, as jockeys and horses sprint towards the finish line in hopes of securing victory and moving closer to a potential Triple Crown title.

Traditionally, the winner of the Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown, moves on to compete in the Preakness Stakes. If the same horse wins both races, it has a chance to complete the Triple Crown by racing in the Belmont Stakes. The last horse to win the Triple Crown was Justify in 2018.

Preakness Stakes picks and predictions

Our experts are making Preakness Stakes picks and building bets all week.

Which states have legal betting on the Preakness Stakes?

Find the best horse racing betting sites in your region. The best betting sites offer sharp odds, and quick payouts and are safe and secure when it comes to depositing and withdrawing your money. 

Canada (excluding Ontario)

Almost all sports betting sites offer fixed-odds betting on horse racing. Check out the best sports betting sites in Canada or sign up now with one of our top partners, Bet365, and earn up to $200 in bet credits!

Ontario

Following the changes to the iGaming regulations on April 4, 2022, horse racing betting is no longer available at sportsbooks. Those in Ontario who are looking to bet on the Preakness Stakes will need to sign up at one of Woodbine's two online offerings, HPIbet and Dark Horse Bets

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Robert Criscola - Covers.com
Publishing Editor

Robert M. Criscola’s road to becoming a Covers publishing editor began with an internship at Metro New York, which eventually turned into a freelance job at MetroBet covering many sports from a wagering angle, including horse racing. He continued to focus on “The Sport of Kings” by writing for shapperdacapper.com, danonymousracing.com, and informer.fanxt.com before joining the team at the TwinSpires Edge in 2019 as a regular contributor and weekend editor. “Crisco” began writing game previews for Covers in 2022 and joined the editing team in 2023.

His best advice for sports bettors? Bet with your head, not over it.

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