Preakness Stakes 2024: Early Odds and Potential Contenders
The Race for the Middle Jewel
The Preakness Stakes, the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown, is set to return to Pimlico Race Course for its 149th running on May 18, 2024. After a thrilling Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes will provide another exciting chapter in the race for horse racing supremacy.
Early Odds and Contenders
With the Kentucky Derby field still being determined, early odds for the Preakness Stakes are starting to emerge. According to CBS Sports, Potential contenders with odds include: *
Forte: 6-1
*
Epicenter: 8-1
*
Zandon: 10-1
*
Cyberknife: 12-1
*
Smile Happy: 15-1
These early odds are subject to change as the Derby field is finalized and more horses are nominated for the Preakness Stakes.
Historic Significance
The Preakness Stakes is known as the "Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown," and it has a rich history. The race is named after Colonel John Hillen's farm, Pimlico, where the first Preakness Stakes was held in 1873. Over the years, the Preakness Stakes has produced some of the most iconic moments in horse racing. In 1973, Secretariat won the Preakness Stakes by a record 25 lengths, a feat that has yet to be matched. Other legendary horses, such as Man o' War, Citation, and Curlin, have also triumphed at Pimlico.
The Path to the Preakness
The Preakness Stakes is the second leg of the Triple Crown, which includes the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. To date, only 13 horses have won all three races in the same year. The last horse to achieve this feat was Justify in 2018. The Preakness Stakes is a 1 3/16-mile race for three-year-old horses. The field is typically smaller than the Kentucky Derby, with around 10-12 horses competing. As trainers have aimed to extend the time between races, the path from the Kentucky Derby to the Preakness Stakes has become more strategic in recent years. Some horses opt to skip the Preakness Stakes altogether, focusing instead on the Belmont Stakes.
Conclusion
The Preakness Stakes is a marquee event in horse racing, and the 2024 edition promises to be another exciting chapter in the Triple Crown. With early odds beginning to emerge, fans can start to speculate on which horses will be competing and who has the potential to emerge victorious. As the field takes shape, the anticipation for the Preakness Stakes will only continue to grow.
تعليقات