Preakness Stakes Odds: Betting Favorite Muth Scratched Due To Fever
On Wednesday, Preakness Stakes favorite Muth was ruled out of the second jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown after spiking a fever the night before. The Maryland Jockey Club announced Muth’s status change around 12 hours after the horse set foot at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Let’s break down how this news impacts Preakness Stakes odds.
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muth scratched from Preakness odds
Trainer Bob Baffert said that Muth’s temperature reached 103 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celcius) on Tuesday evening, requiring the camp to scratch him from the Preakness Stakes. This decision removes arguably the best horse from the race.
“We are sick about this. The horse (Muth) had been doing really well,” Baffert said. “But we have to do what’s right by the horse.”
Muth was originally positioned as one of Baffert’s two horses in the Preakness Stakes. Baffert, a two-time winner of the Triple Crown, is reportedly still expected to have Imagination compete in a now-eight-horses field. The Hall of Famer wasn’t supposed to arrive at Pimlico Race Course until Thursday, but assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes accompanied Muth and Imagination on their trip to Baltimore.
At Monday’s post-position draw, Muth opened as the 8-5 favorite among morning-line odds. Meanwhile, Kentucky Derby victor Mystik Dan was stationed behind him with 5-2 odds. Imagination and Brad Cox-trained Catching Freedom followed suit — tied for third at 6-1.
Once the odds are adjusted, Mystik Dan (5-2) will become a larger Preakness favorite. He also aims to win the Derby and Preakness for the 37th time in racing history. If Mystik Dan emerges victorious, he’ll be eligible for the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes on June 8.
Since 2012, the Kentucky Derby winner has been favored among Preakness Stakes odds. However, that streak would have ended if Muth had remained in the field.
The full list of morning-line odds can be found below.
| Post Position | Horse | Morning-Line Odds | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Mugatu | 20-1 | Jeff Engler | Joe Bravo |
| 2. | Uncle Heavy | 20-1 | Butch Reid Jr. | Irad Ortiz Jr. |
| 3. | Catching Freedom | 6-1 | Brad Cox | Flavien Prat |
| 4. | Muth | SCR | Bob Baffert | Juan Hernandez |
| 5. | Mystik Dan | 5-2 | Kenny McPeek | Brian Hernandez Jr. |
| 6. | Seize the Gray | 15-1 | D. Wayne Lukas | Jaime Torres |
| 7. | Just Steel | 15-1 | D. Wayne Lukas | Joel Rosario |
| 8. | Tuscan Gold | 8-1 | Chad Brown | Tyler Gaffalione |
| 9. | Imagination | 6-1 | Bob Baffert | Frankie Dettori |
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