Preakness Stakes Handicapping Picks
Horse racing gamblers are you looking for 2022 Preakness Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping Odds…plus some predictions? Need some advice on who to take? The 2022 Preakness Stakes is set for May 21 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Here’s a preview of our top contenders.
Preakness Stakes Preview
- Race: Preakness Stakes
- Purse: $1.5 million
- Track: Pimlico Race Course
- Date: May 21
- Post Time: 7:01 PM (ET)
- Live: Preakness Odds: Click Here
2022 Preakness Stakes Handicapping
With the drama of Rich Strike’s 80-1 Kentucky Derby shocker two weeks ago in the rearview mirror, the focus is now on Pimlico Race Course and Saturday’s running of the (G1) Preakness Stakes. The race is run at 1 3/16 miles on the Pimlico dirt track.
Although it is the second leg of the US Triple Crown, there will be no TC bid this year as the connections of Rich Strike have opted to skip the race and train up to the Belmont Stakes on June 11.
The Preakness has drawn a field of nine including Derby runner-up Epicenter and Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath, who will try to become the eighth filly – and second in three years – to win the race.
Odds listed here are provided by Bovada’s racebook.
2022 Pimlico Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Epicenter Race Odds: 4-5
Despite the loss in the Derby, Epicenter ran a very good race, getting into a good position out of a tough inside post and tracking 3-4 lengths off the very fast early pace before taking over as they turned for home.
There are a couple horses with lots of early speed in the Preakness, so expect him to run much the same race although the pace through the first half-mile will likely be not as quick and he’ll be able to stalk a bit closer.
Trainer Steve Asmussen has won the race twice before, jockey Joel Rosario goes for his first.
2022 Preakness Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Early Voting Race Odds: 9-2
One of the new shooters in the Preakness after not running in the Derby, Early Voting was last seen running second in the (G1) Wood Memorial at Belmont Park.
One of the horses that should show early speed, he almost took the Wood field wire-to-wire but was caught and passed in late stretch by Mo Donegal, who went on to run sixth in the Derby. He has won two of three lifetime races, and now will try and stretch his speed 1/16 of a mile further than he has raced before.
Trainer Chad Brown won the Preakness in 2017. Jockey Jose Ortiz gets the call.
2022 Preakness Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Secret Oath Race Odds: 9-2
Prior to winning the Kentucky Oaks by two lengths, filly Secret Oath took on the boys and finished a respectable third in the (G1) Arkansas Derby. That was her first defeat after winning three straight by a combined 23 lengths.
She likes to close from the back of the field and should get an honest pace here to help her try to run them down late, but she will have to contend with a relatively short stretch at Pimlico.
Veteran trainer D. Wayne Lukas has won the Preakness six times, most recently in 2013. Luis Saez will be in the irons.
2022 Preakness Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Creative Minister Race Odds: 10-1
Stepping up to take his first shot at stakes racing, Creative Minister looked very good in winning an allowance-level race on the Kentucky Derby undercard, his second win in a row.
He’s another one that likes to stalk off the pace, and he should be able to sit a good trip just behind Epicenter and try to stay with him when that one decides to go.
Ken McPeek trained the filly Swiss Skydiver to a Preakness win in 2019. Brian Hernandez Jr. is the jock.
Here’s My 2022 Preakness Stakes Free Pick.
Despite the Derby loss, Epicenter is still considered by many to be the best three-year-old in the country and on paper is certainly the best in this field. He has had a tough spring campaign and while there is some concern with wheeling back just two weeks after his Derby battle, I think his talent and class will come through and I’ll pick him for the win.
While his odds could drift up slightly come post time with Secret Oath and a couple others taking some money, there still won’t be much value in a win bet, so I’ll also play an exacta with Epicenter and Creative Minister.
Full Field: Preakness Stakes Odds
By post position
- #1 – Simplification 15-2
- #2 – Creative Minister 10-1
- #3 – Fenwick 33-1
- #4 – Secret Oath 9-2
- #5 – Early Voting 9-2
- #6 – Happy Jack 35-1
- #7 – Armagnac 14-1
- #8 – Epicenter 4-5
- #9 – Skippylongstocking 22-1
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