Preakness Stakes 2022 Contenders and Odds
| Preakness Stakes Post Positions | Horse, Jockey and Morning Line Odds |
|---|---|
| 1 | Simplification (John Velazquez) - 6-1 |
| 2 | Creative Minister (Brian Hernandez, Jr.) - 10-1 |
| 3 | Fenwick (Florent Geroux) - 50-1 |
| 4 | Secret Oath (Luis Saez) - 9-2 |
| 5 | Early Voting (Jose Ortiz) - 7-2 |
| 6 | Happy Jack (Tyler Gaffalione) - 30-1 |
| 7 | Armagnac (Irad Ortiz, Jr.) - 12-1 |
| 8 | Epicenter (Joel Rosario) - 6-5 |
| 9 | Skippylongstocking (Junior Alvarado) - 20-1 |
Epicenter Made 6-5 Morning Line Favorite for Preakness Stakes
Winchell Thoroughbreds' Epicenter, runner-up in the Kentucky Derby (G1), will carry favoritism once more as he was made the 6-5 program choice for the 147th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 21.
Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Epicenter went to post as the favorite in the first leg of the Triple Crown off the strength of his victories in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds. The son of Not This Time took command in the stretch of the Kentucky Derby and was fending off Grade 1 winner Zandon before being caught by 80-1 shot Rich Strike surging up the rail.
Joel Rosario has the return mount aboard Epicenter, who will break from post No. 8.
“I thought it was ideal," Asmussen said of the draw. "It’s a nine-horse field, plenty of run-up to the first turn. Several fresh horses and us coming back in two weeks, I think it’s absolutely ideal. You could say we’re half as nervous as the draw for the Derby, when you go from 20 runners to nine. I think that makes it that much more beneficial to everybody as far as post-position draw goes. With that being said, it’s exciting to run against Early Voting, me being a huge fan of Gun Runner (whom he trained). So I’m very excited to see him, but obviously anxious for Epicenter’s opportunity in the Preakness.”
Early Voting, winner of the Withers Stakes (G3), was made the 7-2 second choice on the morning line for trainer Chad Brown with Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Secret Oath the 9-2 third choice as she attempts to become just the seventh filly to win the middle classic.
Klaravich Stables Inc.’s Early Voting most recently finished second in the April 9 Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct, losing by a neck to Mo Donegal after setting the pace. The son of Gun Runner, who will be ridden by Jose Ortiz, entered the Wood off a debut maiden score and a 4 ½-length triumph in the Withers at Aqueduct in his first two career starts.
Early Voting will begin his run from post No. 5 in the Preakness.
"Terrific. I wanted to be somewhere in the middle, so that will work," Brown said of the draw.
Briland Farm’s Secret Oath, who captured the May 6 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs by two lengths, arrived at Pimlico shortly before 3:30 p.m. Monday following a van ride from Churchill Downs, accompanied by her Hall of Fame trainer, D. Wayne Lukas, who reported that the Oaks winner handled the trip well.
The daughter of Arrogate finished third against males in the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn prior to impressing in the Oaks on Derby eve.
Luis Saez, who was aboard for the Oaks, has been awarded the return call by Lukas, a six-time winner of the Preakness.
Tami Bobo and Tristan De Meric’s Simplification, who closed from 15th to fourth with a very wide rally in the Kentucky Derby, was set at 6-1 after drawing Post No. 1.
Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez will seek his first Preakness success aboard the Antonio Sano-trained son of Not This Time, who captured the Fountain of Youth (G2) and finished third in the Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park.
