Kentucky Derby runner-up Epicenter has been tabbed the favorite at 6-5 odds following Monday's post-position draw for Saturday's 147th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.
The Preakness, which is the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown, will feature nine of the top 3-year-old horses in the world going 1 3/16 miles on the Pimlico dirt track. Post time for the race is set for 7:01 p.m. ET, with NBC providing the TV coverage.
Earlier races from Pimlico will air on CNBC from to 2-4 p.m. ET, then switch to NBC from 4-7:30 p.m. ET. You can also stream the races on NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app and Peacock Premium.
Unfortunately, there will be no shot at a Triple Crown this year, as the owners of longshot Derby winner Rich Strike opted to skip the Preakness to get ready for the June 11 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. The last time we had a Triple Crown winner was in 2018 when Justify won all three races.
Epicenter, who is trained by Steve Asmussen, drew the No. 8 post position. The Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby winner finished a game second to Rich Strike in the 1 1/4-mile Derby at Churchill Downs. Contender Early Voting, who finished second in the Wood Memorial on April 9 at Aqueduct Racetrack in New York, was listed as the second betting choice at 7-2 odds.
Also in the field is Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath (9-2), who's guided by Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. The talented daughter of 2016 Breeders' Cup Classic champion Arrogate finished third against the boys in the Louisiana Derby prior to her Oaks triumph.
What a performance by Secret Oath!
She's your winner of the 148th Kentucky Oaks! pic.twitter.com/iUaCD7jjzx
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 6, 2022
The last time a filly won the Preakness wasn't that long ago either. Swiss Skydiver triumphed in the 2020 edition of the race. Other notable fillies to win the Preakness include legendary horse Rachel Alexandra. The standout ended the Triple Crown chances for longshot Derby winner Mine That Bird in the 2009 event. Rachel Alexandra went on to win horse of the year honors.
Other notable contenders with betting value: No. 1 Simplification (6-1); No. 2 Creative Minister (10-1); and, No. 7 Armagnac at 12-1 odds.
There was one noteworthy defection prior to the draw, with Rebel Stakes winner Un Ojo removed from the list of potential entrants. Trainer Rocky Courville said the horse is still dealing with a bruised left front foot that kept him out the Derby. Un Ojo, who won the Risen Star at 75-1 odds, only has one eye after suffering a paddock accident as a yearling.
Action Network handicapper Jeremy Pond and TVG analyst Andie Biancone have provided in-depth coverage the entire Triple Crown prep season and will be delivering their insight leading up to the Preakness.
That said, let's take a look at the full field, connections and current odds.
2022 Preakness Odds
| POST POSITION | HORSE | ODDS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Simplification | 6-1 |
| 2 | Creative Minister | 10-1 |
| 3 | Fenwick | 50-1 |
| 4 | Secret Oath | 9-2 |
| 5 | Early Voting | 7-2 |
| 6 | Happy Jack | 30-1 |
| 7 | Armagnac | 12-1 |
| 8 | Epicenter | 6-5 |
| 9 | Skippylongstocking | 20-1 |
