The Preakness States may not be as steeped in tradition as the Kentucky Derby but the implications are just as important. In order for a horse to take the much-desired Triple Crown, they of course have to win the Preakness as well as the Derby. So therefore, we’ll let the odds and predictions estimate who will win the Preakness Stakes. The initial choice to win at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD at 6:20pm ET today, May 18 is Orb ridden by Joel Rosario. Coverage starts at 4:30pm ET on NBC.

The narrower field–The Derby was 19, the Preakness is 9–certainly ups the chances for the early favorites like Kentucky Derby Winner Orb and contestant Mylute. Orb drew the first post position, giving him the most inside lane and shorter distance, and has even odds to take the Preakness in the same fashion he did on Derby day.

Mylute is the next favorite to win, after finishing fifth at the Derby, and will take 5-1 odds appropriately in the fifth position. Mylute is ridden by Rosie Napravnik who hoped to become to the first woman to win the Kentucky Derby but fell short at Churchill Downs. Rosie has since turned her sights on becoming the first female to win at the Preakness, and will likely compete again for the Derby next year.

In the fourth position with 6-1 odds is Departing ridden by Brian Hernandez, Jr. This three-year old gelding is coming off a big win at the Illinois Derby on April 20 at Hawthorne Park, and will look to ride that momentum into Pimlico. This pony may be a force to be reckoned with as Departing has lost only once in five lifetime starts, finishing  third in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby behind Revolutionary and Mylute, the third and fifth place finishers at the Run for the Roses. Keep an eye out for Departing.

Here is the reset of the field with post positions, jockeys, and odds:

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

Be sure to give us your predictions as to which jockey and pony will win at the 2013 Preakness Stakes tonight.