Excited bettors at the Preakness are eagerly searching for the next surprise like Rich Strike, who astounded the racing community by winning the Kentucky Derby with odds of 80-1 just two weeks ago.
Bettors are skeptical that a high, double-digit odds winner will repeat the trick of being the second-biggest longshot winner in Derby history, especially with the horse skipping the Preakness Stakes and aiming for the Belmont Stakes instead, three weeks later at Pimlico Race Track in Baltimore.
The field of nine horses will be headed by Epicenter, the morning line favorite at odds of 6-5. In a previous race, Epicenter was the 4-1 favorite but finished second to Rich Strike. Notably, Epicenter is one of three horses who have also entered the Kentucky Derby. The other two entrants are Simplification, who finished fourth in the Derby, and Happy Jack, who placed 14th.
Horses known as “new shooters” are those that did not take part in the Kentucky Derby. Interestingly, in recent years, new shooters have emerged victorious in the past two Preakness Stakes and have clinched victory in four out of the last six races.
How to watch the Preakness
What: 2022 Preakness Stakes
When: Saturday, May 21
Location: Pimlico Race Track in Baltimore, Maryland.
Race Surface: Dirt
The race distance is 1 and 3/16 mile, which is equivalent to 9.5 furlongs.
Time of Post: 7:01 p.m. Eastern Time
Broadcast: NBC
Online viewing: Peacock
Coverage before the race: CNBC from 2 to 4 p.m., followed by NBC at 4 p.m.
The weather forecast predicts temperatures in the low 90s with a small possibility of showers in the evening.
How to bet on the Preakness online in Michigan
Although Michigan’s 15 online sportsbooks do not offer horse racing, there are alternative platforms catering to online horse racing bettors.
In Michigan, TVG stands as the premier online betting app for horse racing, boasting the largest user base. Additionally, residents can also access TwinSpires and Xpressbet for their online horse racing betting needs.
Michigan racetracks allow legal betting on horse racing, with only one remaining track, Northville Downs. The track, situated at 301 S. Center St. in Northville, accepts reservations for the Preakness by calling 248-349-1000.
Preakness Stakes odds
On Monday afternoon, the post-position draw for the 2022 Preakness Stakes concluded. Below are the positions and morning line odds assigned to each of the nine horses.
Post Position
Horse
Jockey
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
Do Longshots Win the Preakness?
In the history of the Preakness race, there have been only two instances where the winning horses paid out more than $30 to win. Oxbow, in 2013, had a payout of $31.80, while in 1983, Deputed Testamony paid $31.00. However, in the last two years, the winners Rombauer and Swiss Skydiver have surprised bettors by offering payouts of $25.60 and $25.40 respectively.
Does Filly Secret Oath Have a Chance?
Trainer D. Wayne Lukas aims to secure his seventh Preakness victory as he enters Secret Oath, a mare with an impressive track record of winning three out of four stakes races throughout her career. Notably, Secret Oath emerged triumphant in the renowned Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, a prestigious race exclusively for elite fillies, just a day before the esteemed Kentucky Derby.
Swiss Skydiver (2020) was the most recent filly to win the Preakness, and Secret Oath has the opportunity to become the seventh filly to achieve this feat.
Why is Epicenter a Big Favorite?
Epicenter leads the race with an impressive Beyer Speed Figure of 102, the only horse surpassing the 100 mark. Many analysts believe that achieving a triple-digit speed figure is crucial for victory in this particular race.
Epicenter had a strong position in the Kentucky Derby until Rich Strike unexpectedly found a way through on the inside. Epicenter will start from post number 8, granting him a favorable view of the competition along the lengthy initial stretch, enabling him to secure his desired position. Additionally, he has proven his capabilities at this distance by emerging victorious in the Louisiana Derby earlier this spring.
What New Shooters Have the Best Chances?
Early Voting is the second favorite in the morning line, having performed well in the Withers (G3) with a victory and securing a runner-up position in the Wood (G2). This performance qualified him for the Derby, although Chad Brown had always intended to direct him towards the Preakness. Jose Ortiz will be in the saddle, and Early Voting’s highest recorded speed figure stands at 96 from his three lifetime starts.
If You Had to Pick a Longshot
The dynamic duo of Creative Minister and Skippinglongstocking bring forth fascinating scenarios. Creative Minister shines with an impressive Equibase Speed Figure of 108, although lacking extensive experience. Notably, the supremely confident trainer Kenny McPeek only nominated this horse after the owners contributed a substantial $150,000 entry fee.
Skippylongstocking holds the highest level of expertise among all horses in the field, having participated in nine races. With a strategic stalking style, there is a possibility for Skippylongstocking to secure a position, particularly in trifecta and superfecta betting, in case the leading contenders exhaust or encounter difficulties.
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