2024 Preakness Stakes: Mugatu Odds, Picks & Predictions

by BettingPros Staff |
May 16, 2024

With the 2024 Kentucky Derby in the rearview mirror, all eyes now turn to the legendary Pimlico Race Course for the 2024 Preakness Stakes. As the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes draws not only the finest three-year-old thoroughbreds but also a massive audience of racing enthusiasts and bettors keen to witness history in the making. Throughout this series, our featured horse racing experts will break down their favorite bets for the Run for the Black-eyed Susans, in addition to providing individual horse profiles. Below, we take a look at the current Preakness Stakes odds, post position, and expert advice for Mugatu.

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2024 Preakness Stakes Predictions: Mugatu

Post Position: 1
Odds: 20-1

At 20-1, Mugatu has the longest odds in the field at the 2024 Preakness Stakes. With such a small field, I’m tempted to get a little nuts and put down half a unit on him to win the whole thing, even if it’s unlikely. He was an alternate for the Kentucky Derby but ultimately didn’t race as only one horse was scratched in time, with Epic Ride replacing Encino.

But that could work to his favor at the Preakness since he’ll be fresh, whereas Mystik Dan, Catching Freedom, and Just Steel all raced at the Derby. Still, a lot has to go right for Mugatu to even hit the board, so we can’t recommend putting money down on him to win (even though I might). But I can see a scenario where Mugatu closes strong and hits the board or sneaks into the back end of a superfecta.

– Mike Maher

Bet: Hit the board, back of exotics

Mugatu Longshot Bet

Last but not least we get Mugatu, making his American Triple Crown debut after being bumped from the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago. Joe Bravo will be aboard the $14K horse. This horse has 12 starts under his belt…err, saddle…and just one victory. That came in a maiden race at Gulfstream Park in South Florida. But, like Uncle Heavy above, the expected sloppy conditions at Pimlico could give a longshot horse like Mugatu a little more level of a playing field.

Mugatu isn’t as attractive as Uncle Heavy among the exotics, and the longest longshot at the Preakness Stakes won at 23-1 in 1975 when Master Derby went to the winner’s circle. This is the horse to close with the longest odds likely. If you want to be a contrarian, this horse is for you.

– Daniel Dobish

For more longshot bets, check out our complete 2024 Preakness Stakes Longshot Bets: Sleeper Picks & Predictions article.

2024 Preakness Stakes Post Positions & Odds

Post	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Odds
1	Mugatu	Jeff Engler	Joe Bravo	20-1
2	Uncle Heavy	Butch Reid Jr.	Irad Ortiz Jr.	20-1
3	Catching Freedom	Brad Cox	Flavien Prat	6-1
4	~~Muth~~	~~Bob Baffert~~	~~Juan Hernandez~~	~~8-5~~
5	Mystik Dan	Kenny McPeek	Brian Hernandez Jr.	5-2
6	Seize the Gray	D. Wayne Lukas	Jaime Torres	15-1
7	Just Steel	D. Wayne Lukas	Joel Rosario	15-1
8	Tuscan Gold	Chad Brown	Tyler Gaffalione	8-1
9	Imagination	Bob Baffert	Frankie Dettori	6-1

2024 Preakness Stakes Horse Previews, Picks & Predictions

Check out our previews for every horse competing in the 2024 Preakness Stakes and our expert analysis on the best bets for this year's Run for the Black-eyed Susans.