The Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown of horse racing, is set to take place Saturday May 18 at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD, a mere two weeks since the running of the Kentucky Derby. The field is roughly half of the what the Derby’s was, upping the ante for Derby winner and first position holder Orb. The three-year old colt has a chance to win the elusive Triple Crown, being the first since Affirmed took the title in 1978. Orb will be ridden by Joel Rosario.

2013 Preakness Stakes Post Positions, Odds, and Jockeys:

1. Orb (Even): Joel Rosario

2. Goldencents (8/1): Kevin Krigger

3. Titletown Five (30/1): Julien Leparoux

4. Departing (6/1): Brian Hernandez, Jr.

5. Mylute (5/1): Rosie Napravnik

6. Oxbow (15/1): Gary Stevens

7. Will Take Charge (12/1): Mike Smith

8. Govenor Charlie (12/1): Martin Garcia

9. Itsmyluckyday (10/1): John Velazquez

Kentucky Derby fans and spectators will remember familiar ponies Godencents in the second position, Mylute in the fifth, Oxbow in the sixth, Will Take Charge in the seventh, and Itsmyluckyday in the ninth. Goldencents was an early favorite for the Derby and garnered the most media attention due to University of Louisville men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino owning a small stake in the thoroughbred, but disappointed on the muddy track finishing 17th out of 19.

Orb is riding a hot streak this year winning not only the legendary Kentucky Derby, but also taking victories at both the Fountain of Youth Stakes and the Florida Derby this year. Orb has earned $2,335,850 for owners Stuart S Janney III & Phipps Stable.

Mylute has 5-1 odds of winning and jockey Rosie Napravnik will look to become the first female jockey to win the Preakness, after coming up short in an attempt for the same feat at the Run of the Roses.

Though the mint juleps won’t be flowing and outlandish hats will be scare, the Preakness is poised to be a good time with much better racing weather expected and an always-crowded infield. Horses, jockeys, and trainers alike will be vying for a $1 million purse.

I’m going to play back-alley bookie for a second here and call for some predictions. Which horse do you think will take home the W at the Preakness? Can Orb win and be one race closer to the Triple Crown? Will Rick Pitino get a Preakness tatoo if Goldencents wins? Let us know who you’re throwing money down on in the comments section below.