Preakness 2018: Post Time, Post Positions and Full TV Coverage Info

While the Preakness Stakes may not carry the same worldwide acclaim as the Kentucky Derby, for Justify and Bob Baffert, this meeting at Pimlico Race Course will be a momentous one.

Justify was excellent at Churchill Downs earlier this month to win the Derby, breaking the longstanding Apollo Curse and showing durability in difficult conditions. The champion will now be keen to follow in the footsteps of American Pharoah, a horse also trained by Baffert that won the Triple Crown in 2015.

While he's the heavy favourite to take the second of the three thoroughbred racing jewels, it's not going to be totally straightforward for Justify and jockey Mike Smith.

Read on for the crucial information needed pre-race, including the post details and where to catch the action from Baltimore, Maryland.

Date: Saturday, May 19

Start Time: 6:20 p.m. ET, 11:20 p.m. BST

TV Info: NBC (U.S.), AtTheRaces (UK)

Post Positions and Odds

1. Quip (+1600)

2. Lone Sailor (+2500)

3. Sporting Chance (+2200)

4. Diamond King (+1600)

5. Good Magic (+300)

6. Tenfold  (+2500)

7. Justify (-250)

8. Bravazo (+1800)

Figures are courtesy of OddsShark 

Fresh Challenges for Justify at Preakness

Eclipse Sportswire/Getty Images

The Pimlico Race Course and the Preakness Stakes present a different challenge to the one the runners and riders came up against in the Derby.

The circuit is a lot tighter in Baltimore than the one at Churchill Downs, while a smaller field also means challengers are less likely to be shunted on their way around the circuit. The showpiece race is also half a furlong shorter than the first Triple Crown race.

While other competitors at Pimlico will be hoping these factors work against Justify, who is clearly the class of the field, they're more likely to enhance his chances.

After all, the difficulty of the run in Kentucky, with the rain tipping down prior to the start of the event, would have taken a lot from many in the field. And with all but one of the pre-race favourites missing out on the chance of a Triple Crown, there's no rush to get back for Preakness.

As noted by Joe Nevills of Daily Racing Form, the biggest obstacles between Justify and a Triple Crown will most likely come in the Belmont Stakes in New York instead of at Preakness:

It's a race that looks to be Justify's to lose, and while anything can happen in these types of dashes, the favourite appears primed for another big performance.

He was relatively comfortable in Kentucky despite the conditions, while Smith has proved on so many occasions that he is one of the best jockeys in the business. Regardless of the circumstances, the veteran is unlikely to panic at any point.

Eclipse Sportswire/Getty Images

Baffert is also an expert in getting his horses prepared for this quick turnaround, and he played down fears that Justify is carrying a knock ahead of his chase for more glory, per Deb Carson of Fox Sports:

If Justify is hindered here, then Good Magic is the horse that appears most likely to capitalise. He was an impressive second at Churchill Downs, holding on to the position well despite getting a fair amount of kickback from the winner.

Jockey agent Jimmy Riccio praised the performance of the runner-up and the ride Jose Ortiz gave him at Churchill Downs:

While the two horses mentioned did show their best at the Derby, the most likely challenge may come from a new rival. Quip will be fresh into this one and may capitalise if the Derby runners do begin to feel the strain late in the contest.