With a maximum field of 14 Preakness Stakes horses running the second leg of the Triple Crown, racegoers can see some classy thoroughbreds at Pimlico Race Course on the third Saturday in May. This is where our expert handicappers analyze all Preakness runners battling on the Baltimore track this year.

Preakness 2024 Horses List

As no more than 14 horses in the Preakness can run, not all of the hopefuls listed below get a run. There are four “win and you’re in” races, provided those successful are nominated for the Triple Crown. These are the El Camino Real Derby, Bath House Row Stakes, Federico Tesio Stakes and the Kentucky Derby. This year, however, two of those automatic qualifiers have been scratched.

While pre-race Morning Line favorite Muth will also MISS the race with a high temperature after travelling over.

If the horses don’t have Triple Crown nominations, then connections of Preakness Stakes contenders must pay a $150,000 supplementary fee. Career earnings are another metric for balloting out. Here is the list of Preakness Stakes horses and odds from the final field of eight with Morning Line prices in brackets:

1. Mugatu (35-1)
2. Uncle Heavy (16-1)
3. Catching Freedom (4-1)
4. Muth (scratched)
5. Mystik Dan (15-8)
6. Seize The Grey (12-1)
7. Just Steel (11-1)
8. Tuscan Gold (4-1)
9. Imagination (4-1)

Morning Line odds and final field after post positions draw made on Thursday, May 16.

All Preakness Stakes Horses 2024

Although the final Preakness field isn’t known until after the draw for post positions, handicappers and oddsmakers can still assess hopefuls for the race ahead of time. That is just what are our experts do right here. We’ve updated this section after all Preakness Stakes runners were revealed from the post positions draw. Check out the thoughts of our handicappers for the Pimlico Triple Crown race:

1. Mugatu

Was also eligible for the Kentucky Derby, but only as a reserve. Failed to make the show in any of his black type or graded races so far. Had plenty of racing and doesn’t appear up to this high level. The biggest longhsot among Preakness Stakes odds with good reason.

2. Uncle Heavy

Grade III winner at Aqueduct in February, but then disappointing fifth in the Wood Memorial latest. Comes here fresh, but first two from the last day were nowhere in the Kentucky Derby. A longshot among the Preakness Stakes horses in this edition, but has a chance of outrunning his odds if reproducing his Withers win at Pimlico.

3. Catching Freedom

One of the confirmed Preakness Stakes horses despite missing out on the show in the Kentucky Derby latest. Came from the rear of the field that day, but couldn’t repeat tactics that worked so well in Louisiana Derby before that. Has beaten Just Steel on three occasions now, but needs more positive ride to turnabout Churchill Downs form with Mystik Dan here.

4. Muth – Scratched

Grade I winner in the fall and last time out. Second to Florida Derby hero Fierceness in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, but two wins this year including the Arkansas Derby. Re-opposing third, Mystik Dan, went on to Kentucky Derby glory. Churchill Downs’ loss after banning runners from the barn looks a gain for Pimlico. Trainer has saddled a record eight Preakness Stakes winners, and sire responsible for last year’s second and third. However, will now MISS the Preakness Stakes after travelling over with a high temperature.

5. Mystik Dan

Career best when just holding on for Kentucky Derby glory latest as his barn became the first to saddle the Oaks-Derby double since 1952 earlier this month. Now makes Triple Crown bid, so one of the obvious 2024 Preakness contenders. Life made easier with the scratching of Muth and the Ken McPeek stable won this in 2020 with Swiss Skydiver. Only two horses have completed the Triple Crown since 1978, but a big player if showing up at Pimlico in the same form after a tight turnaround. Now the likely Preakness market leader in the betting and will be looking to become the first winning favorite since Justify in 2018. Next stop the Belmont Stakes (June 8) if he can take this.

6. Seize The Grey

Just missed the cut for the Kentucky Derby after a disappointing seventh in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland. Went to Churchill Downs anyway and won the Grade II Pat Day Mile at the meet latest. By ill-fated sire Arrogate, who produced last year’s Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo. This different route to Pimlico makes him one of the most interesting 2024 Preakness Stakes horses in the field.

7. Just Steel

On a recovery mission after Kentucky Derby flop latest. Split Muth and Mystik Dan when placed in the Arkansas Derby before that. Barn also has Seize The Grey in the Preakness Stakes field this year. More experienced than most runners, but this is the comeback trail after the disappointing Churchill Downs display. Others appeal more.

8. Tuscan Gold

Lightly-raced colt by the same stallion as 2011 winner Rachel Alexandra and out a dam whose sire triumphed in 2007. Made the show behind Catching Freedom in the Louisiana Derby latest. Kept fresh for this since. Fourth to Kentucky Derby second Sierra Leone on track debut. Has form that ties in with other Preakness Stakes 2024 contenders and open to more progress.

9. Imagination

Unraced outside California but his trainer (Bob Baffert) couldn’t run him at Churchill Downs due to a ban. Grade II winner before neck second in Santa Anita Derby latest. Only runner for the stable now from the Preakness Stakes horses this year with Muth scratched. Consistent type as always placed in six starts in home state with prospects of making the show. However, all the best Preakness racebooks still prefer Mystik Dan in the betting.

Copper Tax – Scratched

Four-time Black Type stakes winner including “win and you’re in” race at Laurel Park latest. Raced wide but eventually wore down long-time leader in Federico Tesio. Guaranteed a spot among Preakness Stakes horses as a result of that, but must step up on that form. This a massive upgrade in quality of opposition. Scratched despite automatic qualification.

Informed Patriot – Scratched

Made the show in Smarty Jones Stakes before two fifth spots in Kentucky Derby prep races. Has plenty to find with Muth on Arkansas Derby run. Punched his ticket to Pimlico since, however, with victory in the Bath House Row at Oaklawn Park. That’s a “win and you’re in” race for Preakness contenders 2024, but must improve on that. Scratched despite automatic qualification.

Preakness Horses And Jockeys to Follow

Some Preakness Stakes horses and jockeys develop followings. This is because of their past performances on the track and record in big races like this Triple Crown event. It also extends to trainers who target the Preakness with the best thoroughbreds in their barn.

John Velazquez rode the 2023 winner National Treasure, and has also placed and made the show in other recent editions of the race. Irad Ortiz, meanwhile, has also ridden multiple top 3 finishers before.

Velazquez doesn’t have a Preakness ride in 2024, but Irad Ortiz gets the leg-up on Uncle Heavy.

When looking at trainers, Bob Baffert is the winningest. He has saddled eight Preakness Stakes horses to victory, which is a record. That haul also includes three winners since 2015. Baffert’s barn has just one runner now this year in Imagination, with Muth having been scratched from the race just days before.

Veteran trainer D. Wayne Lukas is another handler with a top Preakness record. The 88 year-old has won this Triple Crown race six times during his career, with the first back in 1980 (Codex). He saddles two in 2024 – Seize The Grey and Just Steel.

FAQs

What horses are running in the Preakness Stakes?

There are eight Preakness horses 2024 taking part in the latest edition of the middle leg of the Triple Crown. These are Catching Freedom, Imagination, Just Steel, Mugatu, Mystik Dan, Seize The Grey, Tuscan Gold and Uncle Heavy.

Are Preakness runners male or female?

Fillies are allowed to run in the Preakness and have won the race before. It is open to all Triple Crown nominated horses aged three, regardless of their gender.

How do Preakness Stakes horses become eligible for the race?

There are “win and you’re in” races like the El Camino Real Derby, Bath House Row Stakes, Federico Tesio Stakes and Kentucky Derby, which give automatic qualification to the Preakness. All horses must have Triple Crown nominations to be eligible.

Can female horses run in the Preakness?

Yes, fillies can take part in the race. None of the Preakness Stakes 2024 horses are female, but they may enter. A filly was successful in the Preakness as recently as 2020.

How many horses are in the Preakness Stakes?

A maximum field of 14 runners are allowed in the Preakness. This year there are eight horses taking part.

What is winning the Preakness worth?

A total prize purse of $2,000,000 is available for the Preakness Stakes in 2024. The winner receives the lion’s share of that at over $1,000,000.

How old are Preakness Stakes horses?

Only Triple Crown nominated three-year-old thoroughbreds are eligible for the race. If the Kentucky Derby winner goes on to Pimlico, then Preakness horses and odds will reflect a live Triple Crown bid.