There are many factors to consider when betting on the "Run for the Black-Eyed Susans," one of which is Preakness Stakes post positions.
Where the Preakness horses sit in the starting gate — and how they react to that post position — can greatly impact performance and shift the Preakness Stakes odds.
Join me as I discuss the post positions and live odds for the Preakness Stakes.
2024 Preakness post positions and odds
| Post | Horse |  * |
 ** |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mugatu | +1,600 | 16-1 | +6,600 |
| 2 | Uncle Heavy | +700 | 7-1 | +1,000 |
| 3 | Catching Freedom | +350 | 7-2 | +350 |
| 4 | OTB | OTB | OTB | |
| 5 | Mystik Dan | +300 | 3-1 | +175 |
| 6 | Seize the Grey | +800 | 8-1 | +2,000 |
| 7 | Just Steel | +900 | 9-1 | +1,400 |
| 8 | Tuscan Gold | +400 | 4-1 | +450 |
| 9 | Imagination | +400 | 4-1 | +450 |
Odds as of 5-18-2024 at 6:05 p.m. ET.
*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
Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan drew favorably with post five and is the 5-2 second-choice on the morning line. Muth drew right alongside Mystik Dan with post four and was established as the 8-5 morning-line favorite, but a fever knocked him out of the race. Everyone drawn outside of Muth will move one spot inward while retaining the same saddle cloth number (e.g. Imagination is Horse No. 9 breaking from Post No. 8).
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Preakness Stakes wins by post position
Where Preakness Stakes horses start can either give them an advantage or a disadvantage right out of the gate. Here are the post positions that claim the most Preakness Stakes titles since the introduction of the starting gate in 1930.
Post No. 14 has never won the Preakness Stakes.
| Post Position | Wins |
|---|---|
| 1 | 13 |
| 2 | 12 |
| 3 | 12 |
| 4 | 14 |
| 5 | 12 |
| 6 | 16 |
| 7 | 14 |
| 8 | 10 |
| 9 | 4 |
| 10 | 2 |
| 11 | 2 |
| 12 | 3 |
| 13 | 1 |
| 14 | 0 |
Best post position at the Preakness Stakes
In terms of producing Preakness Stakes winners as, the best post position at the is gate No. 6. This middle spot boasts 16 Preakness winners.
Worst post position at the Preakness Stakes
Gate No. 14 is the worst post position in the Preakness and has yet to produce a champ.
How is post position determined at the Preakness Stakes?
The post positions for the Preakness Stakes are determined through a random draw conducted by race officials. The draw typically takes place on the Monday of race week.
During the draw, numbered pills or balls, each representing a specific post position, are placed in a randomizer machine. The machine is then activated, and the pills are mixed thoroughly to ensure a fair selection. One by one, the pills are drawn from the machine, and the corresponding post positions are assigned to the participating horses in the order they are drawn.
The post position assigned to each horse is significant because it determines the starting position of the horse in the race. The post positions are numbered from 1 to 14, with the inside positions (closer to the rail) generally considered advantageous due to the shorter distance they have to cover to reach the first turn. However, track conditions, running style of the horse, and other factors can influence the significance of post positions in different races.
It's worth noting that the post positions for the Preakness Stakes can have a significant impact on a horse's chances of winning, as the race is run on a relatively shorter track compared to the Kentucky Derby, which can make it more challenging for horses to make up ground if they start from an unfavorable post position.
Where can I bet on the Preakness Stakes?
Several legal horse racing betting sites allow you to wager on the Preakness Stakes, but not every sportsbook is allowed to offer horse racing odds. We have created a guide outlining the best horse racing betting sites available in your area.
Which states have legal betting on the Preakness Stakes?
While sports bettors can enjoy some form of online or retail wagering in 34 states (+ DC), horse racing enthusiasts have even more legal options. Refer to our list of legal states for betting on horse racing to see if horse race betting is legal in your state via the FanDuel Racing app.
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.
