Luckily, the 7:01 PM ET post time won’t be the height of the day, but it will still be very hot.
The expected temperature at the start of the race is 91 degrees. It will be a few degrees below the high temperature for the day which is expected to reach 94 degrees, or 18 degrees above normal.
Extreme heat means acclimatization could be a problem. The heat at the start of the season affects people more because their bodies aren’t used to it yet, according to CNN’s weather team.
In the absence of Rich Strike, nine horses will line up to compete for the prestigious prize and all of the contenders will be inspired by a shock result from this year’s Derby.
Hall of Fame horse trainer Bob Baffert will also miss the Preakness after missing this year’s Kentucky Derby.
Baffert appealed the KHRC’s decision, but the Kentucky Court of Appeals denied his request for emergency relief on April 1. His suspension began on April 4.
The legendary trainer will not be allowed to participate in the Preakness due to Maryland’s “reciprocity” law.
To monitor
Rich Strike stunned nearly everyone when he won the Derby with the longest odds of any other horse in the race – 80/1.
The runner up that day was Epicenter and the horse is back as the favorite for the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.
Epicenter trainer Steve Asmussen is the most successful in North American horse racing history and will want to make up for the disappointment of the Kentucky Derby.
Interestingly, Fenwick is considered the biggest underdog in this year’s Preakness Stakes – at 50/1 – but bettors might well be tempted to back the long shot of the run this time around.
Fenwick trainer Kevin McKathan says he thinks his horse could be “special” and isn’t ruling out another surprise result against the more established names in the field.
“Everyone says, ‘It’s a real sport for the rich and famous,'” McKathan said, according to The Associated Press.
“But let me tell you what. You end up with a good horse and you can beat them all.
“That horse has no idea. He has no idea what he cost. He has no idea who this guy belongs to. He has no idea what kind of plane they flew on here. They don’t know.”
Secret Oath and Early Voting are two other horses that, along with Epicenter, make up the favorites list.
How to watch
The Preakness Stakes will air in the United States on NBC, NBC’s website and app.
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