2022 Preakness Stakes Odds: Where Does Rich Strike Rank After His Kentucky Derby Stunner?

2022 Preakness Stakes Odds: Where Does Rich Strike Rank After His Kentucky Derby Stunner?

The second leg of the triple crown is now less than two weeks away, as Pimlico Raco Course in Baltimore, Maryland will play host once again to the 2022 Preakness Stakes. Located on the outskirts of Baltimore City limits in a not-so-good part of town, the Preakness offers a different, but still raucous crowd that is still fired up and there for a mix of gambling, partying, and a bit of actual racing. 

Like the Derby, this event will feature the best three-year-old horses the sport has to offer, as the odds will continue to move right up to the start of the races. In what will be the 147th iteration of the Preakness Stakes, let's take a closer look at where the odds sit, how they might move, and a couple of horses I'm keyed in on as the race quickly approaches. 

As we saw for the Derby, Epicenter (+250), and Zandon (+350) open as the odds on favorite, with newcomer Rich Strike following shortly behind at +500. The middle of the pact is also familiar, with Taiba (+800), Messier (+1000), and Mo Donegal (+1200) in the mid-range, with a litany of horses at +1600 or greater. 

Preakness Stakes Betting Preview

One thing to keep in mind when looking at the early posted odds of the Preakness Stakes is the baked-in bias and overreaction stemming from the Kentucky Derby. For example, is Rich Strike, who was an 80-1 longshot going into the Derby worthy of these short odds? Or is Messier, who was amongst the trendy favorites for the Derby and finished 15th, still worthy of these shortened odds?

My money is on both of those examples being answered false. 

Having won just one race in his career, I take Rich Strike’s come-from-behind win as more of an anomaly than a pattern. Searching for a winner at Pimlico Race Track on May 21st is also challenging given the limited information available for the field to this point. 

Even with the limited information available, there is a horse almost certainly running in the Preakness that I have my eye on.

Preakness Stakes Picks & Predictions: Free Pimlico Pick

Epicenter (+250) (Bet $100 to win $250)

Largely in control of the Kentucky Derby before Rich Strike’s improbably sprint to the finish line, Epicenter is likely to go off as the odds on favorite at Pimlico, and for very good reason. Having won both the Risen Star Stakes and Louisiana Derby in the build-up to Churchill Downs last week, Epicenter had all the stuff to make it three straight before falling just short because of a once-in-a-lifetime result.

In his six starts prior to the Kentucky Derby, Epicenter had four outright wins, with the other two being second-place finishes. While all horses racing in the Triple Crown races are elite, Epicenter is in a league of his own when it comes to consistency and performance. 

While Zandon is the next clear competitor, he’s finished behind Epicenter in every race they’ve competed, including both the 2022 Risen Star Stakes and Kentucky Derby. For me, the 2022 Preakness Stakes remains Epicenter’s to lose.

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