A chaotic Triple Crown season took another turn on Friday morning as trainer Brad Cox scratched Preakness contender First Mission from the 2023 Preakness Stakes one day before the race.
That leaves the field for the second leg of horse racing’s most sought-after title with just seven horses — the smallest since 1986. While Kentucky Derby winner Mage is in the field and remains the favorite, it’s also just the first time since Criterion in 1948 that only one Derby entrant is set to race in the Preakness.
Considering Derby week was marred by multiple horses scratching before the race and even more horses dying at Churchill Downs, it’s not shocking to see trainers take a more conservative approach in Baltimore.
Post time is scheduled for 6:50 p.m. ET on Saturday with NBC airing coverage. Here are the latest odds one day out.
