Preakness Picks 2018: Vegas Odds and Predictions Heading in to Post Draw

Justify's quest for the Triple Crown continues Saturday at the 143rd running of the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore. 

The Kentucky Derby winner comes into Pimlico Race Course as the overwhelming favorite to win from an eight-horse field. 

The biggest challenger to Justify should be Good Magic, who placed second at Churchill Downs two weeks ago. 

While Justify and Good Magic will control most of the spotlight, there may be a horse or two that sneaks up to the front of the race and contends as well.

Preakness Stakes Odds (via OddsShark) 

Justify (-200; bet $200 to win $100) 

Good Magic (+450; bet $100 to win $450) 

Diamond King (+1600) 

Bravazo (+2500) 

Quip (+2500) 

Sporting Chance (+3300) 

Tenfold (N/A) 

Lone Sailor (N/A) 

Predictions

Justify Gets Chance To Race For Triple Crown 

Justify doesn't have much competition in Saturday's race, with Kentucky Derby second-place finisher Good Magic being his top threat. 

With a strong performance at Churchill Downs already in the bag, the horse trained by Bob Baffert should achieve more success at Pimlico. 

Before his Kentucky Derby victory, Justify looked dominant in three races, including the Santa Anita Derby. 

If you needed something more to convince you about Justify's chances in the Preakness Stakes, all four of Baffert's previous Kentucky Derby winners went on to win two weeks later at Pimlico. 

While it's easy for the casual horse racing fan to root for the second Triple Crown in four years, it may be a difficult choice for bettors, who won't make much money off the overwhelming favorite in an eight-horse field. 

While it may be tough to pick Justify straight up as the winner, he is a perfect horse to include in a trifecta or superfecta bet because he's expected to be at the front of the field. 

Quip Challenges Justify and Good Magic 

Justify and Good Magic are the two big-name horses in the field for the Preakness Stakes, but there's another worth keeping an eye on as Saturday's race inches closer. 

Quip, who shares some of the same owners as Justify, could spoil the party for Justify and Good Magic if he runs like he has in the last few months. 

The horse trained by Rodolphe Brisset took the Tampa Bay Stakes in March and finished second behind Kentucky Derby participant Magnum Moon in April's Arkansas Derby. 

There's no guarantee Quip can beat the two favorites, but he could challenge them at the start of the race, which could end up throwing a wrench in the race plans of Justify and Good Magic. 

Unlike Justify, Good Magic and two other Kentucky Derby horses in the Preakness field, Quip was held for the Preakness. 

If Quip's fresh legs help him stay near the front of the first half of the race, he could make a sprint for the finish line in first while the favorites try to figure out a way to get around him. 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.