Preakness 2012 Weather: Latest Updates on Pimlico's Conditions

Saturday marks the 137th Run for the Black-Eyed Susans, better known to those outside of Maryland as the Preakness Stakes. The second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown always entertains, and this weekend will be no different. 

The track conditions at Baltimore's Pimlico Race Course are fast and firm, according to the Preakness's website, and the weather conditions are expected to remain sunny throughout the day. 

Weather Update

The temperature is in the mid-60s Saturday morning at Pimlico Race Course, and is expected to reach the low-80s this afternoon, according to Weather.com. Partly cloudy skies are expected to give way to sunny skies for race time, when the temperature will be every bit of 80 degrees.

With no rain in the forecast, the track should remain firm throughout the day and into the evening when the horses take their posts (Post Time: 6:05 p.m. ET, NBC).

How It Affects the Favorites

If the 1 3/16 mile dirt track remains dry and fast, the favorites will be even more likely to run up front and dominate the field, especially Bob Baffert's morningline favorite, Bodemeister (8-5 odds) who was on record pace through the first 90 seconds at Churchill Downs before coming up short to I'll Have Another.

Both horses are the favorites to challenge on Saturday, but Bodemeister is without a doubt the horse to beat despite I'll Have Another's most recent victory. Baffert has won at Pimlico five times dating back to 1997.

I'll Have Another, who overcame 15-1 odds to win the 138th Run for the Roses, is going off at 5-2 odds to win the Triple Crown's second leg. Both will start towards the outside, but the field is relatively weak compared to the Derby and only 11 horses are running in this weekend's main event. 

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