Preakness 2018: Updated Weather Forecast, Odds and Field Predictions

Justify earned the first jewel of the Triple Crown by running a sensational race in wet and rainy conditions at Churchill Downs in the Kentucky Derby.

It appears he will have to do the same thing in the Preakness Stakes on Saturday at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

It has been raining throughout the week in Baltimore, and continued rain is forecast through the 6:48 p.m. (ET) post time in the race.

The Weather Channel predicted that scattered thunderstorms will continue to impact the Baltimore area through the 6 p.m. hour, although the forecast turns to "cloudy" at the start of the 7 p.m. hour.

Even if the rain abates just prior to the race, the Pimlico track will be wet and muddy, a situation that did not bother Justify in the Run for the Roses.

Justify is starting from the No. 7 post position in the Preakness, the same spot that he drew at Churchill Downs. The difference this time is that he will face seven other competitors, while the Derby drew a field of 20 runners.

Justify wanted to avoid traffic in the Kentucky Derby, and he got off to a sharp start as he settled into second place behind Promises Fulfilled for the first half of the race. When jockey Mike Smith asked Justify to go to the front, he did so without hesitation and was not headed from that point forward.

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

Good Magic, who finished second to Justify in the Derby, is back to challenge the odds-on favorite in the Preakness. He was well positioned throughout the race and made a move to challenge Justify at the top of the stretch, but he could not pass his rival and was beaten by 2½ lengths.

Good Magic would appear to be Justify's top challenger once again. He is ridden by Jose Ortiz and will start from the No. 5 post position.

Here's a look at the field, along with the jockeys, post positions and morning-line odds from OddsShark.

Preakness Stakes Horses, Jockeys, Odds and Win-Bet Payouts

(All payouts are based on $2 win bets at morning-line odds)

1. Quip (Florent Geroux): +1400, $30

2. Lone Sailor (Irad Ortiz Jr.): +2000, $42

3. Sporting Chance (Luis Contreras) +4000, $82

4. Diamond King (Javier Castellano): +2000, $42

5. Good Magic (Jose Ortiz): +325, $8.50

6. Tenfold (Ricardo Santana Jr.): +3300, $68

7. Justify (Mike Smith): -225, $2.80

8. Bravazo (Luis Saez): +1800, $38

Quip and Bravazo might have the best chances of registering shocking upsets in the Run for the Black-Eyed Susans. Quip will try to get off to a quick start from the rail, and there's a chance he may be able to get away fastest of all from that spot.

If he can do that and he doesn't have to go too fast, he could hold the lead for quite a while. 

There's a good chance a speed duel could take place throughout the first half of the race. If the horses run too hard and tire themselves out, it could favor Bravazo.

This horse likes to come from behind, and while Pimlico features a shorter stretch run than Churchill Downs, he could be moving well in the final part of the race.

Predictions

There are no guarantees in racing. Justify looks like a tremendous champion because of his size, speed, power and swagger. He appears to be the best equine athlete in the field.

However, he is not a machine, and if he does not run his best race and jockey Mike Smith makes a mistake or two, he could lose.

We don't see that happening. Justify has shown he can run effectively in poor weather conditions, and he simply shows no signs of tiring. He loves to compete and win, and he should do the same again here for the fifth time in five career starts.

Good Magic might be a great horse himself considering the impressive way he ran in the Derby. He looks like he has an excellent chance at second place.

Look for Bravazo to pass tiring horses in the final 300 yards and hit the board with a third-place finish.