Preakness 2024: Early Predictions Post-Kentucky Derby
May 4, 2024
After Saturday's photo finish in the 150th Kentucky Derby, Mystik Dan will have the chance to become the fourteenth horse to ever win a Triple Crown.
Mystik Dan, led by trainer Kenny McPeek and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., could now compete for the second leg of the crown later this month at the 2024 Preakness Stakes.
The surprise Derby winner is likely to once again face steep odds at Pimlico with some top competitors likely to run.
Last year, only 2023 Derby winner Mage ran both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, but other top finishers Sierra Leone and Forever Young could consider seeking redemption in the Preakness after coming within a nose of a Derby win.
Sierra Leone, Derby runner-up and winner of the Grade 1 Blue Grass, is ridden by jockey Tyler Gaffalione, who won the Preakness with War of Will in 2019.
The Japan-bred Forever Young finished in a close third in the Derby after winning the Group 2 UAE Derby in March.
Two horses trained by Bob Baffert are likely to take on the Preakness after sitting out the Kentucky Derby following Baffert's Churchill Downs' suspension.
Muth, winner of the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby, and Imagination, second in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, worked six furlongs together at Santa Anita Saturday in preparation for the race, per Victor Ryan of the Paulick Report.
Muth covered the distance in 1:12 2/5 and is expected to be a favorite at Pimlico, per Byron King of Blood Horse.
J McLaughlin Safford @kimo16Muth under Erick Garcia working inside of Imagination with Juan Ochoa up 6F in 1:11.40 this morning for HoF trainer Bob Baffert <a href="https://twitter.com/santaanitapark?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@santaanitapark</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ZedanRacing?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ZedanRacing</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/StarlightRacing?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StarlightRacing</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MadaketStables?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MadaketStables</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/StonestreetFarm?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StonestreetFarm</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BobBaffert?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BobBaffert</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Ersick05?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Ersick05</a> <a href="https://t.co/yv9NANmCIX">pic.twitter.com/yv9NANmCIX</a>
Thorpedo Anna could travel to Pimlico after winning Friday's Kentucky Oaks, but trainer Ken McPeek told the Daily Racing Form's Nicole Russo that the chances were "less than 50 percent." Her availability will depend on how she recovers over the next few days.
Cooper Tax, winner of a Preakness berth after finishing first in the Federico Tesio Stake in April, could decide to run after recovering from an early stumble and rallying to win at Laurel Park, Frank Vespe reported for Racing Biz. Trainer Gary Capuano says the decision will depend on the horse's training and weight heading into the Preakness, per Pimlico.com.
Informed Patriot could arrive at the Preakness after winning the Bath House Row Stakes at Oaklawn in April in what his trainer Steve Asmussen called the horse's "best race to date," per Mary Rampellini of Daily Racing Form.
The 2024 Preakness Stakes will take place Saturday, May 18 at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Post time is approximately 6:50 p.m. ET.