Ranking Each of the 2024 Preakness Horses
Ranking Each of the 2024 Preakness Horses
We're certainly going to see some familiar faces this Preakness, as four horses that were entered into the Kentucky Derby will return for a run at Pimilico. Let's dive into each horse's likeliness of winning - odds aside - in the 149th running of the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.
For the latest 2024 Preakness odds, click here
9: Muth (SCR)
Muth would originally have been my top ranked horse for the Preakness, but he spiked a fever, sadly, and will not be running this race. Look for him later on (hopefully) in his 3 year old career.
8: Mugatu (20-1)
Mugatu was at the bottom of my rankings for the Kentucky Derby (where he was on the also eligible list.) He will repeat at the bottom of my Preakness list, but this time he at least should run. My fear is that he's just a bit too slow to keep up with some of the gas in this field. At least he's fresh?
7: Seize the Grey (15-1)
Seize the Grey is a crowd funded horse that should take a lot of money this Preakness. But betting aside, this horse has some upside, but a lot of questions around him. He won the one-turn Pat Day Mile, but I just feel like upon watching the replay that StG got a nice pace set up and took on significantly weaker horses than the Derby. Plus, with him coming back in just two weeks - I think it could be a lot to overcome.
6: Uncle Heavy (20-1)
This Pennsylvania-bred colt won the Withers at Aqueduct back in February before running 5th in the Wood Memorial. While that wide 5th place effort cost him a shot at the Derby, it does give him a chance to come into the Preakness fresh and ready to rumble. If he runs back to his Withers try, he could be live at a long price.
For the latest 2024 Preakness odds, click here
5: Catching Freedom (6-1)
This was a colt I was pretty high on going into the Kentucky Derby, but this time I'm going to be going against him in the Preakness. Coming back in two weeks is not going to be easy, but he did seem to have a little more in the tank at the end of the Derby. I just don't care for a deep closer usually in the Preakness - a race that often times favors horses that are closer to the lead.
4: Just Steel (15-1)
Just Steel in this spot over Catching Freedom is probably the hottest take that I have on this list. The other D. Wayne Lukas runner Seize the Grey has not yet run back on two weeks rest, but Just Steel has had a few quick turnarounds in his short career. I haven't been impressed with Just Steel in his quick turnarounds, but he didn't do much running in the Derby, so maybe he didn't burn too much up and will be ready to go this time around.
3: Tuscan Gold (8-1)
This is a very lightly raced horse that I am very bullish on going into this race. Tyler Gaffalione teams back up with Chad Brown to make things interesting in this one. Tuscan Gold will only be running his 4th lifetime race and I think was pretty solid in the Louisiana Derby. His running style should allow him to sit just behind the early leaders and make a run into the stretch.
For the latest 2024 Preakness odds, click here
2: Imagination (6-1)
With Muth scratching, Imagination will certainly take a lot of attention - as he is the other Bob Baffert entry in this race. He got beat by a neck in the Santa Anita Derby last time out against Stronghold, and this time should be very forwardly placed and give Baffert a real chance at yet another Preakness.
1: Mystik Dan (5-2)
Mystik Dan is the Kentucky Derby winner, which many would think would make him the automatic choice for this Preakness. I am a little nervous about him running back so soon after (I think) coming up a bit empty at the wire in the Kentucky Derby. He will still have some pace to sit behind and then chase down in the stretch - it's just a matter of whether or not there is enough juice in the reserves to get him to the wire first. Still, this is a super fun horse who has a fair chance at the Triple Crown.