Tipsheet: 2024 Preakness Stakes

An excellent field of eight three-year-olds will travel 1 3/16 miles on the Pimlico dirt in the second leg of the Triple Crown on Saturday, the $2 million Preakness S. (G1). 

 2024 Preakness Stakes Picks

• #9 Imagination
• #3 Catching Freedom
• #5 Mystik Dan
• #8 Tuscan Gold

2024 Preakness Stakes Wagers

• $20 win and place #9 Imagination
• $1 trifecta box 3,5,8,9
• 50-cent superfecta 3,9 with 3,5,8,9 with 3,5,8,9 with all 

2024 Preakness Stakes Contenders

#1 MUGATU (20-1): Outsider has failed to hit the board from a trio of stakes races in succession and looks to be in a tough spot on Saturday. The Jeff Engler trainee did rally to place fifth in the Blue Grass S. (G1) last time out, but he would be a big surprise with Joe Bravo in the silks. 

#2 UNCLE HEAVY (20-1): Withers S. (G3) victor finished fifth in the Wood Memorial S. (G2) in his latest performance and will look to improve off of that with Irad Ortiz Jr. riding. The Butch Reid pupil looks like he can handle the trip, and a career best performance could have him challenge for a placing in this spot. 

#3 CATCHING FREEDOM (6-1): Louisiana Derby (G2) star rallied well to be a close fourth in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and looms large with even minor improvement on this occasion. The Brad Cox charge has arguably the best turn of foot in the field, and he will be moving best of all in the lane with Flavien Prat retaining the ride. 

#4 MUTH (SCRATCHED)

#5 MYSTIK DAN (5-2): Kentucky Derby star will aim for two straight in the classics for conditioner Kenny McPeek. The Goldencents colt has solid tactical speed combined with a quick turn of foot, and the race will go through him with Brian Hernandez Jr. in the silks once again. 

#6 SEIZE THE GRAY (15-1): First of two for D. Wayne Lukas was a game winner of the Pat Day Mile S. (G2) in his latest offering. The improving son of Arrogate was outrun in his prior top-level race leading up to this but still has top-four appeal with Jaime Torres in the irons. 

#7 JUST STEEL (15-1): Arkansas Derby (G1) runner-up was close to a solid pace in Louisville before giving way in the stretch and will hope for a more favorable voyage in the Preakness. Stakes-winning son of Justify can be very good on his best day, and if the expensive colt fires his best shot, then he can be in the mix late at a big number. Joel Rosario inherits the ride. 

#8 TUSCAN GOLD (6-1): The Chad Brown trainee was a very good third in the deep Louisiana Derby while making his stakes debut, and the colt rates a big chance if he moves forward off that endeavor. The son of Medaglia d’Oro is bred to handle the distance, and he combined useful tactical speed with a nice turn of foot that should play well on this course. The win threat will have Tyler Gaffalione in the stirrups. 

#9 IMAGINATION (6-1): The Bob Baffert trainee just missed in the recent Santa Anita Derby (G1) and has been first or second in each lifetime appearance to date. The son of Into Mischief has gate speed and stays a route of ground, and my opinion is that he will flourish with the added distance on Saturday. Frankie Dettori will pilot the colt who breaks from the outside post.