The second Triple Crown race of the season in the U.S. is fast approaching as Pimlico hosts the Preakness Stakes on May 21. Preakness Stakes betting markets are now open, with significant changes likely over the coming weeks before the race gets underway. You can find the latest 2022 Preakness Stakes odds for this year’s race right here, as well as learning our Preakness Stakes predictions for the huge race.
Preakness Stakes Betting Preview
The Preakness Stakes forms the second leg of the Triple Crown series in the U.S. It takes place two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, with the Belmont Stakes taking place less than a month afterwards in June. It is considered the hardest race to win of the Triple Crown series, as it comes just weeks after the opening race.
However, it is run over a slightly shorter distance, as the field run over 1 3/16 miles on the dirt at Pimlico. But, the Preakness Stakes betting markets always make for compelling viewing, as bettors need to determine whether the value is on a contender that lined up in the Kentucky Derby, or whether the value comes in the form of fresher horses. Six fillies have won the Preakness throughout the race’s history, with the most recent female winner being Swiss Skydiver in 2020. Bob Baffert and R. Wyndham Walden are the joint most successful trainers in the history of the Preakness.
Recent Winners
Before making Preakness Stakes predictions, it is important to examine the previous winners of the race. Examining this section of the Preakness Stakes betting preview could open up avenues for potential returns. Below, you can find the previous five winners of the race, and their winning connections.
| Year | Winning Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| 2021 | Rombauer | Flavien Prat | Michael McCarthy | 12/1 |
| 2020 | Swiss Skydiver | Robby Albarado | Kenneth McPeek | 6/1 |
| 2019 | War Of Will | Tyler Gaffalione | Mark Casse | 4/1 |
| 2018 | Justify | Mike Smith | Bob Baffert | 1/2 |
| 2017 | Cloud Computing | Javier Castellano | Chad Brown | 12/1 |
Preakness Stakes Betting Odds
The 2022 Preakness Stakes odds are now available, and there are some interesting contenders towards the top of the betting. The current favorite is Kentucky Derby runner-up Epicenter, who was narrowly denied a first Derby win for trainer Steven Asmussen by 81/1 long-shot Rich Strike. The winner of the Derby is a much shorter price for the Preakness than he was for the Kentucky Derby, as he is available at 7/1 That is the same price as Chad Brown-trained Early Voting, who bypassed the opening the Triple Crown race in favor of a bid for the race at Pimlico.
The most interesting selection in the betting markets is currently Secret Oath for D. Wayne Lukas. This three-year-old filly was a stunning winner of the Kentucky Oaks, despite starting in stall one. Derby runners Simplification and Smile Happy and both 10/1 chances for the Preakness, while Creative Minister and Skippylongstocking are 16/1 and 20/1 chances, respectively. The only other runners in the betting markets at the time of the writing of this Preakness Stakes betting picks preview are Ethereal Road, Rattle N Roll and Un Ojo, who are all 33/1 chances.
Preakness Stakes Picks
Epicenter
Steven Asmussen will be looking for a third win in the Preakness this year, and he has solid claims with Epicenter. This three-year-old looked to be the winner of the Kentucky Derby as the horses raced towards the line, but he was eventually narrowly denied by 81/1 chance Rich Strike.
It was a strong performance by Epicenter despite suffering the defeat, and he will hold every chance at Pimlico off the back of wins in the G2 Risen Star and G2 Louisiana Derby already this year. However, whether he will be involved remains to be seen, as a final decision will be made by connections over the coming seven days.
Secret Oath
D. Wayne Lukas has trained the winner of the Preakness Stakes on two previous occasions, including in 2013 with Oxbow. He could have an outstanding chance once again this year in the form of Secret Oath. She will be looking to become the third filly winner of the race since 2009, and the second filly to win the Preakness in the previous three renewals. Secret Oath dominated back in competition with the girls in the Kentucky Oaks, as she won by two lengths from Nest despite getting the rail draw.
She has already taken on the boys once this year, but she endured terrible luck in the G1 Arkansas Derby, as she finished back in third. However, her return at Churchill Downs showed that there were no lingering issues, and a run in the Preakness could certainly be on the cards. She has every chance based on her strong return.
Early Voting
Last year’s renewal of the Preakness was dominated by horses that didn’t line-up in the Kentucky Derby. If that’s an angle worth following this year, then Early Voting could be the standout selection. It was revealed by Chad Brown eight days before the Derby that this three-year-old would be prioritising the Preakness, and his form already in the book is very strong.
He produced a strong effort in the G2 Wood Memorial last time out, as he finished second by a neck to Mo Donegal. This three-year-old is already a graded winner for good measure, as he claimed victory from Un Ojo in the G3 Withers in February. The extra recovery time since that run in the Wood Memorial gives him every chance against rivals that had hard races at Churchill Downs.
Preakness Stakes Betting Prediction
The Preakness Stakes is always one of the tougher races of the U.S. season to bet on, as bettors must weigh up the pros and cons of the contenders that ran in the Kentucky Derby. Epicenter will have an excellent chance based on his run in the Derby, but connections may instead opt for a run in the Belmont Stakes and additional recovery time. I’m very high up on the chances of Secret Oath, who could follow in the footsteps of Swiss Skydiver and win the Preakness after running in the Kentucky Oaks.
This three-year-old easily ran away from the field at Churchill Downs, and another assured performance looks extremely likely. Meanwhile, Early Voting is a difficult horse to oppose based on his two runs at Aqueduct this year. That run in the Wood Memorial was excellent, and Brown’s decision to bypass the Kentucky Derby could speak volumes about his chances at Pimlico this year. My solid plays would be with Secret Oath and Early Voting, and I would be surprised to see the contenders take first and second in the Preakness Stakes 2022.
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