With the Kentucky Derby in the rearview mirror, the horse racing world now looks forward to this Saturday’s 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico and wonders if Derby winner, Justify, can do it again to get to Belmont with a chance to become a Triple Crown winner.
Two weeks ago Justify won the “Race for the Roses” at Churchill Downs in dominating fashion and broke the Apollo Curse by becoming the first horse since 1882 to win that race without racing as a two-year-old.
Justify drew post seven for the Preakness and will look to continue his undefeated streak as he will look to win his fifth race in a row come Saturday night.
The 2018 Preakness is not expected to have a lot of early speed and thus it will be highly unlikely to see Justify trail. The Preakness’ eight-horse field is not as talented or deep as the one he faced at the Derby so, in theory, Justify should have a much easier time winning this race.
As for how mother nature could affect Justify and whether it will have an impact on the result of the race oddsmakers are not that concerned.
Justify has already proven with his athleticism that he’s a horse that can handle any kind of surface. Furthermore, by comfortably winning in Santa Anita and Churchill Downs he’s demonstrated that he can thrive even in muddy conditions.
Pimlico is a track that holds water well since due to the fact that there’s a lot of sand in it, so although it could be wet and maybe even a bit slippery it shouldn’t be very heavy come post time.
The odds for the Preakness reflect Justify is expected to have almost no competition and that he’s expected to dominate this event.
Justify is the big favorite at 1-2 and Good Magic is the clear second choice at 3-1 and every other horse is 12-1 or higher.
With Justify having beaten a much tougher field in Kentucky and having survived a much faster pace it’s very difficult to see Justify not finishing first unless he regresses due to an unforeseen event or condition.
Here are the complete odds for the 2018 Preakness Stakes:
Post Horse Odds
1 Quip 12-1
2 Lone Sailor 15-1
3 Sporting Chance 30-1
4 Diamond King 30-1
5 Good Magic 3-1
6 Tenfold 20-1
7 Justify 1-2
8 Bravazo 20-1
