BALTIMORE, Md. - Kentucky Derby winner Justify drew post 7 in a small field of eight as he looks to take the next step toward making more racing history in Saturday's Grade 1, $1.5 million Preakness Stakes.
Justify has won all four of his starts, including the Kentucky Derby from post 7 in a field of 20 on May 5, becoming the first horse to win the classic without racing as a 2-year-old since Apollo in 1882. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, seeking his seventh Preakness victory, has never lost the race when bringing in the Derby winner - a streak that includes Triple Crown winner American Pharoah three years ago.
Pimlico oddsmaker Keith Feustle has installed Justify, with Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith in the irons, as the heavy 1-2 program favorite for the Preakness.
"You're putting some added pressure on all of us there," Baffert joked following the reveal of the morning line.
Eclipse Award champion juvenile and Kentucky Derby runner-up Good Magic was installed as the second choice on the morning line at 3-1. The colt, who is trained by Chad Brown, drew post 5 under regular rider Jose Ortiz, Jr.
Justify and Good Magic lead four horses emerging from the Kentucky Derby, along with sixth-place Bravazo and Lone Sailor, who was eighth. Diamond King, Quip, Sporting Chance, and Tenfold are newcomers to the Triple Crown series.
The Preakness headlines a 14-race card, including eight stakes, Saturday at Pimlico, with first post set for 10:30 a.m., Eastern. The middle jewel of the Triple Crown will be broadcast live by NBC in a national telecast from 5 to 7:15 p.m.
The Preakness field, from the rail out, with riders and morning line odds:
1. Quip (Florent Geroux), 12-1
2. Lone Sailor (Irad Ortiz, Jr.), 15-1
3. Sporting Chance (Luis Contreras), 30-1
4. Diamond King (Javier Castellano), 30-1
5. Good Magic (Jose Ortiz, Jr.), 3-1
6. Tenfold (Ricardo Santana, Jr.), 20-1
7. Justify (Mike Smith), 1-2
8. Bravazo (Luis Saez), 20-1