The Latest: Rain soaks fans, creates sloppy track at Pimlico

BALTIMORE (AP) The Latest on Saturday’s 143rd running of the Preakness (all times local):

1:45 p.m.

With five hours until post time for the Preakness, Kentucky Derby winner Justify is the 1-2 favorite after fluctuating between 2-5 and even money throughout the day. Derby runner-up Good Magic is the 5-1 second choice, and Quip is 9-1.

Justify was set as the 1-2 morning-line favorite Wednesday as he looks to give Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert a chance at his second Triple Crown in four years after American Pharoah in 2015. Justify was the 5-2 favorite when he finished 2 lengths ahead of Good Magic in the Derby two weeks ago.

Lone Sailor is 10-1, Bravazo 12-1, Diamond King 14-1, Sporting Chance 18-1 and Tenfold 20-1 for the 13th race at Pimlico, which is expected to be contested on a sloppy track after several days of rain. The weather led to several scratches on the undercard but as of yet none in the Preakness.

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12:30 p.m.

A steady rain has soaked the fans and created a sloppy track at Pimlico Race Course, hours before the start of the Preakness.

Justify, the favorite to win the Preakness, won the Kentucky Derby on a sloppy track at Churchill Downs.

The crowd in the infield and grandstand at Pimlico is far smaller than usual, and those heading to the tents and chalets must slosh through wet grass and mud.

It is not what Belinda Stronach, the chairman and president of the Stronach Group, envisioned when she approved upgrades to the tents, entertainment and concessions for this year’s event.

The Stronach Group owns and operates Pimlico, which last year drew a record 140,327 for the Preakness. This year, attendance will be significantly lower because of the rain.

Stronach says they have fingers crossed and are ”still hoping there are gaps in the weather, especially during the race. We hope the race goes off without a hitch.”

She says track officials are doing their best to make sure they look at all aspects. ”Umbrellas, ponchos, boots. I think we’ve cleaned out the entire Baltimore and D.C. area.”

The weather has led to the Budweiser Clydesdales being scratched and a demonstration by parachute jumpers to be canceled from pre-Preakness festivities. In previous years, the Clydesdales preceded the racehorses on the track before the Preakness. The mud built up from days of rain made that implausible.

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4 a.m.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert will be chasing history, and Justify hopes to keep his Triple Crown bid alive in what is shaping up to be a soggy Preakness.

Baffert saddled Justify in a Kentucky Derby victory on a wet track two weeks ago, and the duo is looking for a repeat performance Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.

Weather forecasters are calling for rain much of the day. If the weather doesn’t influence the race – Justify is the heavy favorite – it most certainly could have an impact on attendance after the event drew a record 140,327 in 2017.

Baffert is seeking his seventh Preakness victory, which would tie R.W. Walden for most by a trainer in the history of the race, which was first run in 1873. Baffert is 5 for 5 at the Preakness after winning the Derby on May 5.

Justify also has a nice streak going. The chestnut colt has won all four of his career races, including the Derby by 2 1/2 lengths.