Nine go to the post in the 147th running of the Preakness Stakes (G1) on Saturday. (Photo credit: Maryland Jockey Club).
While Kentucky Derby upset winner Rich Strike got a 10-day break and is now back at Churchill Downs preparing for the Belmont Stakes, a field of nine will line up on Saturday in the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes.
There will be no Triple Crown winner in 2022, but the Preakness Stakes still offers an intriguing matchup between the Kentucky Derby runner up Epicenter and the Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath.
The Steve Asmussen trained Epicenter was run down in the final strides in Louisville, missing by a neck to 80-1 longshot Rich Strike, who is bypassing the Preakness. Epicenter was installed as the 6-5 morning line favorite and will break from the eight post with Joel Rosario in the irons.
“He’s bounced out of the Derby with relative ease and made the ship fine. Just trying to get settled in and get our schooling done and run Saturday,” assistant trainer Scott Blasi said. “He’s traveling really well. It seems like his energy level is good.”
Secret Oath is seeking to become the seventh filly to win the Preakness. Swiss Skydiver was the last in 2020. She is trained by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas who has saddled six Preakness winners, one shy of tying the record held by Bob Baffert and R. Wyndham Walden.
The last Preakness winner saddled by Lukas was Oxbow in 2013. Lukas sent out the filly Winning Colors in 1988 where she checked in third.
Trainer Chad Brown sends out Early Voting who figures to be the second choice in the wagering. The colt drew clear in the stretch in the Wood Memorial (G2) but got run down by Mo Donegal by a neck.
The Preakness Stakes is the 13th race on a 14-race card at Pimlico on Saturday. First post is 10:30am ET.
Here is a look at the entire Preakness field in post position order:
Go to PlayUp Racebook for Michael’s selections and analysis for the Preakness Stakes
