Are we going to get a Triple Crown winner this year? If Mystik Dan crosses the line first at Pimlico Race Course today, it could be on, and his hopes have been massively boosted by the withdrawal of Bob Baffert's pre-race favorite Muth. However, the forecasted scattered showers could wreak havoc. Here's where to watch 2024 Preakness Stakes live streams online for free – from anywhere.
There have only ever been 13 Triple Crown winners, the most recent being Justify six years ago. So if Mystik Dan, who shocked punters by taking glory at the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago, is able to repeat the feat in Baltimore, it'll set up a must-watch Belmont Stakes in three weeks' time.
Trainer Ken McPeek has won the Preakness before, with Swiss Skydiver four years ago, and the news of the fever that led to Muth's scratching would have certainly come as a relief, seeing as Baffert's horse has got the better of Mystik Dan before.
Baffert, an eight-time Preakness winner, is hanging his hopes on Imagination instead, who'll be mounted by a legendary race debutant in Frankie Dettori. Catching Freedom, of Brad Cox's stable, has a good shot too, and jockey Flavien Prat has won this race before, atop Rombauer three years ago.
Read on as we explain how to watch a free 2024 Preakness Stakes live stream from anywhere with a VPN. We've also listed the full Preakness schedule below and the runners and riders at the bottom of this page.
How to watch Preakness Stakes for FREE
Another great thing about the Preakness Stakes is that it's completely FREE to watch in some places. For example:
Australia – Racing.com
Ireland – Virgin Media Player
If you're from either of the countries listed above but you're abroad right now, don't worry about missing out on that free coverage. All you need to do is subscribe to a VPN to watch your usual free Preakness Stakes live stream and re-connect to your home streaming coverage.
Unblock any stream with a VPN
If you're keen to watch the 2024 Preakness Stakes but you're away from home and the coverage is geo-blocked, then you could always use a VPN to access it (assuming you're not breaching any broadcaster T&Cs, of course). You may be surprised by how simple it is to do.
Use a VPN to live stream Preakness Stakes from anywhere:
Using a VPN is as easy as one-two-three...
1. Download and install a VPN – as we say, our top choice is NordVPN.
2. Connect to the appropriate server location – open the VPN app, hit 'choose location' and select your home location, eg: 'Ireland' for Virgin Media Player.
3. Go to the broadcaster's stream – head to your home broadcaster's site or app and watch as if you were at home - so that might be Virgin Media Player for Irish citizens abroad.
How to watch a Preakness Stakes live stream in Ireland
How to watch Preakness Stakes live streams in the US without cable
Horse racing fans can watch Preakness Stakes live streams across Peacock TV, Sling and NBC in the US.
Remember, if you're outside of the States right now and want to watch Preakness Stakes 2024 online just like you would at home, you'll need a quality VPN, and we recommend NordVPN.
How to watch Preakness Stakes 2024 in the UK
Good news, horse racing fans in the UK. You can keep up-to-date with all the Preakness Stakes 2024 action by tuning into Sky Sports or RacingTV. Both of these are available to live stream with a Now pass, with prices starting from £11.98
Remember, if you're not in the UK at the moment and want to watch Preakness Stakes 2024 online just like you would at home, you'll need a quality VPN like NordVPN.
Watch Preakness Stakes with HDR and Dolby Atmos
Those looking to watch Preakness Stakes 2024 in the UK with the optimum viewing experience are well served by all three broadcasters.
Sky is offering broadcasts of its sports coverage in Ultra HD and with Dolby Atmos sound to Sky Q subscribers, and it's also added HDR to live broadcasts.
How to watch a Preakness Stakes live stream in Canada
How to live stream Preakness Stakes FREE in Australia
Who are the Preakness Stakes 2024 runners and riders?
(Horse, Trainer, Jockey)
Mugatu, Jeff Engler, Joe Bravo
Uncle Heavy, Robert Reid Jr., Irad Ortiz Jr.
Catching Freedom, Brad Cox, Flavien Prat
Mystik Dan, Ken McPeek, Brian Hernandez Jr.
Seize the Grey, D. Wayne Lukas, Jaime Torres
Just Steel, D. Wayne Lukas, Joel Rosario
Tuscan Gold, Chad Brown, Tyler Gaffalione
Imagination, Bob Baffert, Frankie Dettori
Who races in the Preakness Stakes?
The Preakness Stakes is an American Grade I stakes race run at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.
It's contested by three-year-old Thoroughbreds over the famous dirt track at a distance of 1+3/16 miles (9.5 furlongs; 1,900m).
Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds (57kg) and fillies 121 pounds (55kg).
It takes place on the third Saturday in May ever year.