Muth, the morning-line favorite for the 149th running of the Preakness Stakes, has been scratched from the race after spiking a fever, shaking up the Preakness odds picture considerably.
Find out what this means from a wagering perspective in our latest Preakness update.
Wednesday's Preakness odds: Muth out, Mystik Dan inherits favoritism
Preakness Stakes contender Muth was discovered to have a 103-degree fever after arriving at Pimlico on Tuesday night, necessitating a scratch from Saturday's "Run for the Black-Eyed Susans." Trainer Bob Baffert was understandably upset about the development.
"We are sick about this. The horse had been doing really well," he told reporters. "But we have to do what's right by the horse."
The Arkansas Derby winner, who had beaten Mystik Dan in that race, was expected to go off favored in the Preakness despite the presence of a Kentucky Derby winner in the field. Mystik Dan is now likely to head to the gate as the wagering favorite in the Preakness.
How should bettors re-approach the Preakness?
Muth drew post four in the Preakness post positions, meaning horses No. 5-9 will all move in one spot. This levels the playing field ever so slightly as No. 9 Imagination looks to avoid getting hung out wide on the first turn as one of the principle speeds on paper.
The betting value is all but gone on Mystik Dan, who will be closer to even-money this Saturday than the 18-1 he went off at in the "Run for the Roses."
Preakness live odds
We have odds for all the remaining Preakness horses.
| Post | Horse |  * |
 ** |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mugatu | +2,000 | 20-1 | +5,000 |
| 2 | Uncle Heavy | +2,000 | 20-1 | +1,400 |
| 3 | Catching Freedom | +600 | 6-1 | +350 |
| 4 | OTB | OTB | OTB | |
| 5 | Mystik Dan | +250 | 5-2 | +225 |
| 6 | Seize the Grey | +1,500 | 15-1 | +1,400 |
| 7 | Just Steel | +1,500 | 15-1 | +1,000 |
| 8 | Tuscan Gold | +800 | 8-1 | +400 |
| 9 | Imagination | +600 | 6-1 | +400 |
Odds as of 5-15-2024.
*FanDuel Racing odds available in AZ, CO, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV, WY
**bet365 Preakness odds are not available in the United States
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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.
