2024 Preakness Stakes: Meet the Contenders

May 15th, 2024

Meet the horses running in the 2024 Preakness S at Pimlico. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your stable alerts.


#1 Mugatu                                            *

Pro: Owns 1-for-2 record going two turns on dirt, which is the primary plus.

Con: Enters with questionable form and still eligible for first-level allowance.



Uncle Heavy wins at Parx Racing (Photo by Equi-Photo / Credit to Bill Denver)

Uncle Heavy wins at Parx Racing (Photo by Equi-Photo / Credit to Bill Denver)

#2 Uncle Heavy                                   **

Pro: Withers (G3) winner moves up the rankings if the track comes up wet. 

Con: Lack of tactical foot a concern, especially if pace isn’t a fast one.

 



Catching Freedom winning the Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Photography)

Catching Freedom winning the Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Photography)

#3 Catching Freedom                        *****

Pro: Ran well behind top three in Kentucky Derby (G1); form solid all season.

Con: Like Mystik Dan, will he be effective returning on relatively short rest?



#4 Muth                                               SCRATCHED



Mystik Dan winning the Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn Park (Photo by Coady Photography/Kurtis Coady)

#5 Mystik Dan                                     *****

Pro: Worked out a great trip in the Kentucky Derby, just held on in a thriller. 

Con: Tired-looking horse at Derby’s end and not effective the last time he ran back on short rest.



Seize the Grey winning the Pat Day Mile (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

Seize the Grey winning the Pat Day Mile (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

#6 Seize the Grey                               **

Pro: Pulled off surprise in Pat Day Mile (G2), albeit in modest time.

Con: Concedes significant back class to the top players.



Just Steel

Just Steel wins the Ed Brown S. at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)

#7 Just Steel                                        ***

Pro: Barn has a history of winning this with colts who threw in duds at Churchill Downs.

Con: Seems a couple cuts below, and still hasn’t won beyond 6 1/2 furlongs.



Tuscan Gold (Photo by Coglianese Photography / Credit to Lauren King)

Tuscan Gold (Photo by Coglianese Photography / Credit to Lauren King)

#8 Tuscan Gold                                    ****

Pro: Barn has won this twice with colts who bypassed Kentucky Derby.

Con: A demanding test to win this off eight-week break against more experience foes.


#9 Imagination                                   ****

Pro: San Felipe (G2) winner a hard knocker, first or second in all six starts.

Con: Tends to come up on the short end of photo finishes, losing three times by a neck.