Account
Preakness 2018 Post Time: NBC TV Start Time, Final Predictions and More
May 19, 2018
Justify will attempt to build on the back of his Kentucky Derby triumph and make it two for two in Triple Crown legs on Saturday in the 2018 Preakness Stakes.
Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore opens its doors to horse racing's elite for one of the most hotly anticipated contests of the year.
It's been three years since trainer Bob Baffert won the most recent Triple Crown with American Pharoah, and a strong showing in Louisville could have Justify pegged to follow his lead.
Odds Shark provided a breakdown of the race odds on Friday:
Read on for the race's key information, including post time and how to live-stream the action, as well as predictions for who will emerge triumphant.
2018 Preakness Stakes
Post time: 6:20 p.m. ET/11:20 p.m. BST
TV broadcast: NBC (U.S.)
Live Stream: NBC Sports app (U.S.)
Final Predictions
It's not the method preferred by all punters, but backing favourite Justify seems the wisest choice. Few contenders hold a candle to his prestige and potential.
OddsShark's Michael Dempsey discussed Good Magic as a potential challenger, although the wet weather at Pimlico could be to Justify's liking after his Kentucky win:
Justify gave Baffert his second Kentucky Derby winner in four years and became the first horse in 136 years to win the race without a start at two years of age.
Baffert didn't hesitate to inform the media his star would be heading to the Preakness Stakes following his triumph at Churchill Downs:
There doesn't appear to be much suggesting this field can stop Justify. Quip staged a surprise in the Tampa Bay Derby and may be a sleeper, but none of the reappearing Kentucky runners show much promise compared to Baffert's leading star.
Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith has a superb chance at victory if he can get a nose ahead this time around, with Justify capable of easing ahead if given space.
Justify isn't the only one on his team with something at stake here, either, as racing reporter Jay Privman highlighted his trainer's competition with D. Wayne Lukas in the Triple Crown stakes:
Jay Privman @DRFPrivmanRLT, Lukas told me he'd run both Bravazo & Sporting Chance (4th in Pat Day Mile). Lukas and Baffert have won Preakness six times each; record among trainers is seven by 1800s trainer Walden. Baffert has 13 Triple Crown race winners, one behind Lukas, the all-time leader with 14 https://t.co/HwwUnXvxQN
Jimmy Barnes, assistant to Baffert, said earlier in May that Justify was "happy" and "full of himself" leading up the Preakness, per AmericasBestRacing.net. It is an intimidating prospect for his competitors, particularly those who witnessed his might up close in Louisville.
Not since American Pharaoah has any horse won two legs of the Triple Crown in the same year, but who better than another Baffert-trained star to end that drought at Pimlico?
Predicted Winner: Justify