Preakness Picks 2018: Examining Latest Vegas Predictions and Odds

The 2018 Preakness Stakes is one horse versus everybody else. 

This year, it's Kentucky Derby winner Justify who will try to beat the field at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on Saturday and stay on course for the Triple Crown. The stunning Bob Baffert-trained horse won a muddy, rain-soaked Derby by 2 1/2 lengths and has yet to drop a race in his career. The three-year-old colt will face similar conditions at the Preakness Stakes but against a much smaller group of runners than in the Derby's 20-horse field.

The Preakness Stakes has only a handful of contenders among eight thoroughbreds in total. Of the top six finishers at this year's Kentucky Derby, only Good Magic (2nd) and Bravazo (6th) are joining Justify in Baltimore. 

It should come as no surprise that Justify is the favorite, both for oddsmakers and those making their picks. Here's a rundown of the latest odds, updated as of Thursday.

Odds (via OddsShark.com)

Justify (-225; Bet $225 to win $100) 

Good Magic (+325; Bet $100 to win $325) 

Quip (+1400) 

Bravazo (+1800) 

Diamond King (+2000) 

Lone Sailor (+2000) 

Tenfold (+3300) 

Sporting Chance (+4000) 

Preakness Information

When: Saturday, May 19; post time at 6:20 p.m. ET

Where: Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore

TV: NBC

Live Stream: NBC Sports App, FuboTV

Alongside Good Magic and Bravazo, Lone Sailor (8th) is the third and final Kentucky Derby horse joining justify in Baltimore. Good Magic came closest to beating Justify in Louisville, and it makes sense that this horse has the best odds at pulling off the upset on Saturday.

Of the horses with fresher legs, Quip has the best odds. He finished second in his only grade 1 race to date (April's Arkansas Derby) and has three first-place finishes in his career. Diamond King, Tenfold and Sporting Chance are the other newcomers. Oddsmakers don't appear to be confident in their chances at taking down Justify, but Joe Drape of the New York Times is actually picking Sporting Chance to win: 

"This is a hard-luck colt who has been unable to get out of his own way. He also looks an awful lot like [D. Wayne] Lukas' surprise 2013 Preakness winner Oxbow."

The New York Times' other expert, Melissa Hoppert, is going with Justify. Both have Good Magic finishing as a runner-up again. 

Justify appears poised to reward bettors and prognosticators who count on him to come through. He has raced four times over the past three months, but even rival trainers expect this Baffert-coached horse to be the best out on the track Saturday. 

"It's going to be very tough to beat him," said trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who trains Bravazo along with Sporting Chance, per USA Today's Dan Wolken. "He's the best horse. It's just that simple. He's doing well. I watched him all week, and he's going to be very, very hard to handle."

There may be a surprise challenger lurking in the field. Horse Racing Nation's Reinier Macatangay noted Lone Sailor showed some serious speed at the Kentucky Derby, but perhaps was a bit unlucky: 

"Upon return in January, he finally hit 100 on the speed figure scale. His fastest race, though, came in the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago on the slop, where he earned a 115 despite finishing eighth and over nine lengths behind the winner Justify. A few observers also pointed out Free Drop Billy backed into him during the race. 

"With a cleaner trip, perhaps Lone Sailor can outrun his longshot odds in the Preakness and shake up the chalky-looking tote board."  

Anything can happen once the horses burst out of their posts on Saturday. The sloppy track conditions expected could add more than a dash of chaos, but Justify has already proven he can handle wet weather. If Justify he runs the race he is capable of, fans should have history to root for at the Belmont Stakes.