Preakness 2018: Post-Kentucky Derby Odds and Preview

The 143rd running of the Preakness Stakes is already the talk of the horse-racing world just hours after Justify clinched the first leg of the Triple Crown at Churchill Downs in the Kentucky Derby.

It doesn't take long for horse-racing fanatics—or odds makers—to move on to the next best thing. And now the Preakness is only two weeks away, there's a lot to get excited about.

This year's Preakness Stakes will consist of a field of 20 horses, each vying for the $1.5 million purse. Held at the Pimlico Race Course in Maryland, the second leg of the Triple Crown will either make or break Justify's chances at being the first horse to clinch the Triple Crown since American Pharoah. 

Even though it's been less than 24 hours since the Kentucky Derby concluded, OddsShark already has the latest odds on the Preakness Stakes, which can be seen below:

Preview

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It's no surprise Justify is the odds-on favorite going into the Preakness Stakes. After all, the three-year-old colt did win the Derby by two-and-a-half lengths in what can be safely referred to as a dominant performance.

Justify is now 4-0 in his career and just the ninth undefeated Derby winner in history. On top of that factoid, Justify also became the first horse since Apollo in 1882 to win the Derby after not competing as a two-year-old.

So much for the "Apollo Curse."

But even after his stellar performance at Churchill Downs, there's no guarantee Justify can continue this form into Maryland. After all, there's a reason why there's only been one horse in the past 40 years to win the Triple Crown. 

But it will be foolish not to favor Justify to clinch the second leg of the Triple Crown after conquering a very muddy and wet Churchill Downs track.

Justify conquered the feat in 2:04.20 and will look to tackle a similar-looking track at Pimlico Race Course.

In reality, the Preakness Stake isn't the race that should concern Justify fans. It should be the Belmont Stakes since it's a much longer and more treacherous track for horses to sustain their momentum on.

Even TVG's Joaquin Jaime has his concerns on the amount of racing Justify is doing going into the final legs of the Triple Crown. 

Justify is undefeated but still inexperienced. Bet on him to win at Preakness, but keep your fingers crossed at the Belmont Stakes as his lack of actual track record may come back to haunt him.