UPDATE: 2018 Preakness Stakes Contenders
- Updated: May 6, 2018
Updated May 13, 2018 by WizCapper
One down, two to go for Justify, as horse racing fans around the world watch and wait for the return of the Kentucky Derby winner to Pimlico for the 143 running of the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 19th in Maryland.
The Preakness Stakes is the second leg of the Triple Crown, America’s annual horse racing event that brings together the top three-year-old horses to compete for the highest honor in American horse racing history.
The ink is barely dry on the official order of finish for the 144th Kentucky Derby but it’s never too soon for handicappers to look ahead to the next race.
Justify, trainer Bob Baffert’s fifth Kentucky Derby winner and the latest star to descend from the heavens on to thoroughbred racings biggest stage will undoubtedly be the odds-on-favorite to win the Preakness. But don’t expect the field of contenders to be anywhere near the number he faced in the Derby.
2018 Preakness Stakes Contenders
WizCapper’s list of possible Preakness Stakes contenders plus our morning line odds for each of the horses in our possible field. This was a hypothetical field. See below the list of contenders for an update.
1.) Justify (3-5) – Impressive when he won the SA Derby but wasn’t convinced he was all that because he beat a field that included only one real TC contender in Bolt d’Oro who we now know after his 12th place finish in the Derby is not a classic distance horse. But Justify, now he’s a horse of a different kind. Could be better than American Pharoah and the second horse to win the Triple Crown in the past 40 years. And that would be a PHENOMENAL feat!
2.) Sporting Chance (20-1) – He chased a decent pace set by Flameaway in the Blue Grass and tired badly drifting in then out, and eventually being disqualified from third and placed fourth for interference with Free Drop Billy. Single dimension style of being forwardly placed won’t serve him well vs. a horse like Justify who will control the speed.
3.) Reride (25-1) – After seeing the dismal efforts by Rayya and Mendelssohn in the Oaks and Derby respectively, not sure this guy should be on this list. But if you toss the UAE Derby in which he raced without Lasix, Asmussen might see fit to give this guy a shot in here. He has some early foot but it won’t be enough to create much of a challenge for the more seasoned of the speedy ones in here.
4.) Good Magic (8-1) – Was given the perfect ride by Eclipse Award winning jockey Ortiz. And turning for home it appeared he was going to give Justify a run for his money to the wire. But then Justify found another gear. Has tactical speed which served him well for the 1 1/4 miles of the Derby because he could be close without being part of the early pace. But there won’t be many in the Preakness who’ll want or be able to challenge Justify early which makes it that much harder for this guy to turn the tables.
5.) Quip (12-1) – Skipped the Derby in favor of the shorter distance of the Preakness. One dimensional style has him as the pacesetter with Justify in hot pursuit. If he’s the only speed then completing the exacta, trifecta tickets will be the best one can ask for.
6.) Bravazo (30-1) – All good sports bettors know the importance of home field advantage. So it should be no surprise that this guy ran his heart out and certainly outran his odds finishing 6th after tiring from fourth in mid-stretch. But the question that must be asked is how much did the sloppy track carry him. And the simple answer is, plenty.
7.) Diamond King (30-1) – The Tesio winner will be the hometown representative in the field. But that’s about as much attention as he’ll get vs. the best of the class of 2018.
8.) Blended Citizen (50-1) – Added blinkers two back to win the Jeff Ruby Steaks but it wasn’t enough to earn him a spot in the Derby. Had traffic trouble in the Blue Grass but was beaten just 5 lengths by Good Magic. Comes from the back of the pack and will need every bit of the 1 3/16 miles of the Preakness with a chance to complete exotic tickets. UPDATE: Won the Peter Pan at Belmont and is on schedule for the Belmont Stakes on June 9.
9.) Audible (10-1) – His Florida Derby win capped an impressive run of four consecutive wins and just missed second in the Derby. Has the right style to win the Preakness coming from a mid-pack position and has the best chance of upsetting the second leg of the Triple Crown.
