Preakness 2023: Post positions, odds, analysis, as Kentucky Derby winner Mage the 8/5 favorite

There was no shortage of drama in the days before and after the Kentucky Derby, with the narrative surrounding the first jewel of the Triple Crown dominated by some of the industry's most pressing issues, including equine safety.

But as Saturday's Preakness Stakes approaches, the focus turns once again to a collection of contenders headed by Kentucky Derby winner Mage, scheduled to take on six challengers at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on Saturday. Mage is the only Kentucky Derby horse to run back two weeks later.

Mage is also the only entrant with a chance to become the first Triple Crown winner since Justify did it in 2018, three years after American Pharoah became the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years.

Post time is at 6:50 p.m. Saturday, with race coverage on NBC beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Here's the field:

1. National Treasure 4-1

Trainer: Bob Baffert; Jockey: John Velazquez.

Ran a close fourth in the Santa Anita Derby, after placing third, beaten less than a length, in the Sham Stakes. Ran third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

2. Chase the Chaos 50-1

Trainer: Ed Moger Jr.; Jockey: Sheldon Russell.

Winner of the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate back on Feb. 11, but ran eighth in the California Derby last time out after a bad start.

3. Mage 8/5

Trainer: Gustavo Delgado; Jockey: Javier Castellano.

Followed up a second in the Florida Derby by rallying to pass Two Phil's in the stretch to win the Kentucky Derby at 15-1.

4. Coffeewithchris 20-1

Trainer: John Salzman Jr.; Jockey: Jaime Rodriguez.

Has 12 career starts, including two stakes wins at Laurel Park, finishing fifth in the Tesio Stakes there last time out. The $2,000 yearling purchase has earned $225,600.

5. Red Route One 10-1

Trainer: Steve Asmussen; Jockey: Joel Rosario.

Comes off a four-length score in the Bath House Row Stakes at Oaklawn on April 22, and ran second in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn.

6. Perform 15-1

Trainer: Shug McGaughey; Jockey: Feargal Lynch.

Emerged as an impressive winner of the Tesio Stakes, a top Preakness prep, scoring a head victory despite a disastrous trip, including a stumble out of the gate. Was a $150,000 supplemental entry.

7. Blazing Sevens 6-1

Trainer: Chad Brown; Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Brown bypassed the Kentucky Derby with Early Voting last year and won the Preakness, and is trying to do the same here, with Blazing Sevens pulled from the Derby. Ran third behind Tapit Trice and Verifying in the Blue Grass Stakes last time out.

8. First Mission (Scratched)

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Preakness 2023: Post positions, odds for second Triple Crown race