If not for an unlikely train ride with 80-1 long-range Rich Strike in the Kentucky Derby, then Epicenter would be the undisputed center of attention in the build-up to Saturday’s $ 1.65 million Preakness Stakes at the Pimlico Race Course. Now, instead of being a candidate for a possible Triple Crown, he’s just a favorite.
After losing the lead in the final 10 steps to become number two in the Derby, and when Rich Strike was not going to Baltimore, Epicenter pulled post 8 in the field of nine. He was made the 6-5 morning line favorite at Monday’s post-position draw at Citron Restaurant and Bar in Baltimore.
Get a jump on Preakness, Black-Eyed Susan undercards.
Trained by Steve Asmussen, Epicenter is a two-time Grade 2 winner who will once again have reigning Eclipse Award winner Joel Rosario to ride.
Two new shooters who were not in the Derby, Kentucky Oaks (G1) -winning filly Secret Oath (9-2) in post 4 and Wood Memorial (G2) second place Early Voting (7-2) in post 5, were predicted to attract a lot of betting attention for 1 3/16-mile classic.
After Arrogate, trained by six-time Preakness winner D. Wayne Lukas and ridden by Luis Sáez, Secret Oath could become the second filly in three years to win the race. Swiss Skydiver did it for coach Kenny McPeek in 2020, when Preakness was postponed 4 1/2 months due to the COVID outbreak.
Early Voting had the points needed to qualify for the Derby, but coach Chad Brown decided to give the Gun Runner foal six weeks between starts. José Ortiz, who has run all three Early Voting races, including Virgo and Grade 3 victories, will ride again Saturday in what will be the stallion’s first start away from Aqueduct.
Another Gun Runner colt, Simplification (6-1), could be the fourth most popular betting interest on Saturday. The winner of the Fountain of Youth (G2), who finished in fourth place in the Derby, drew the rail post. He is coached by Antonio Sano. When Ortiz switched to Early Voting, John Velázquez has been called up to take the ride in Preakness.
This was the draw for the Preakness field with morning-line odds from Maryland Jockey Club’s track handicapper David Feustle.
| PP | Preakness 2022 | ML | Coach | Jockey | Sire |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Simplification | 6-1 | Antonio Sano | John Velázquez | Gun Runner |
| 2 | Creative Minister * | 10-1 | Kenny McPeek | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Creative reason |
| 3 | Fenwick | 50-1 | Kevin McKathan | Florent Geroux | Curlin |
| 4 | secret oath (f) | 9-2 | D. Wayne Luke | Luis Saez | Arrogant |
| 5 | Early voting | 7-2 | Chad Brown | Joseph Ortiz | Gun Runner |
| 6 | Happy Jack (Blk-On) | 30-1 | Doug O’Neill | Tyler Gaffalione | Oxbow |
| 7 | Armagnac | 12-1 | Team Yakteen | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Quality road |
| 8 | Epicenter | 6-5 | Steve Asmussen | Joel Rosario | Not this time |
| 9 | Skippy long sock | 20-1 | Saffie Joseph Jr. | Junior Alvarado | Exaggerate |
| *DKK 150,000 supplement | |||||
| f – Høl | |||||
| Blk-On – Flashing on |