Horse Racing Nation Expert Picks: 2022 Preakness Stakes
The second jewel of the Triple Crown is upon us: the 2022 Preakness Stakes. Leading three-year-old Epicenter, most recently second in the Kentucky Derby, will go off the favorite. However, the field drew nine talented sophomores, horses who have enough upside to make it interesting against the heavy favorite.
Below is how Horse Racing Nation's team of experts will play the Preakness Stakes.
Candice Curtis, Horse Racing Nation
Winner: #4 Secret Oath
On the Board: #8 Epicenter
Longshot I Like: #6 Happy Jack
Analysis: I am all in on the filly, Secret Oath. She seemed to have had an easier trip in the Oaks than Epicenter did in the Derby, and I think that extra energy will be her winning advantage vs the top colt in the country. Epicenter is tough, though, so I still like him to finish ahead of all the other males. I'll use 4/8 on top in my trifectas and superfectas. No. 6 Happy Jack is my top long shot after adding blinkers and getting a leg up from Tyler Gaffalione. He should get a more pressing trip than he did in the Derby and I see him hitting the board. Simplification drew well in the No. 1 post so he's worth using, too.
Ron Flatter, Horse Racing Nation
Winner: #8 Epicenter
On the Board: #4 Secret Oath
Longshot I Like: #2 Creative Minister
Analysis: 75 of the last 90 Preakness winners came out of the Kentucky Derby. That is not a statistical quirk. Think about it. The best 3-year-olds aim for the Derby, so it stands to reason they are better than the new shooters who have the Preakness as a primary springtime goal. Inferior competition in the Arkansas Derby has been used to dismiss Secret Oath, but she did not have a good ride in that race, and she still came in third. She could be a force. By some optics, Creative Minister had better figures in his race on Derby day than Rich Strike. Between that and the $150,000 gamble made by his owners and trainer Kenny McPeek, hitting the board seems entirely reasonable. As for Early Voting, Aqueduct is like the NIT, isn't it?
Jarrod Horak, Best Bets
Winner: #5 Early Voting
On the Board: #8 Epicenter
Longshot I Like: #9 Skippylongstocking
Analysis: Early Voting looks very much like 2017 Preakness hero Cloud Computing. He is the only major contender not returning in two weeks, and Chad Brown's fresh colt might not look back. Kentucky Derby runner-up Epicenter is clearly the most likely winner, and Skippylongstocking improved his speed ratings over a route of ground in his last two starts.
Mark Midland, Horse Racing Nation
Winner: #8 Epicenter
On the Board: #4 Secret Oath
Longshot I Like: #6 Happy Jack
Analysis: It's going to be tough to beat Epicenter so I'm going to look for value in the superfecta and super high five. It's only a nine horse field and No. 6 Happy Jack and No. 9 Skippylongstocking have a decent shot to hit the super at a big price.
$1 Superfecta: 8 with 2,4,5 with 1,2,4,5,6,9 with 6,9 = $24
$1 Superfecta: 4 with 8 with 1,2,4,5,6,9 with 6,9 = $8
$1 Super High Five: 8 with 2,4,5, with 1,2,4,5,6,9 with 1,2,4,5,6,9 with 6,9 = $72
Victor Ryan, Horse Racing Nation
Winner: #8 Epicenter
On the Board: #1 Simplification, #4 Secret Oath
Longshot I Like: #2 Creative Minister
Rowan Ward, Horse Racing Nation
Winner: #8 Epicenter
On the Board: #1 Simplification, #4 Secret Oath
Longshot I Like: #2 Creative Minister
Analysis: Epicenter fits the profile of a Preakness winner: he comes out of a strong Kentucky Derby effort, the pace should be a bit less taxing in the Preakness, he can stay a mile and three sixteenths, and trainer Steve Asmussen has already won the Preakness twice. With a contested pace likely Secret Oath should be able to rally strongly late into a contested pace, and horses coming off of a good Kentucky Oaks effort are often strong in Baltimore. Also for exotics, Simplification has been one of the most consistent horses in his class and Creative Minister is improving well and has an interesting pedigree to stretch out to this trip.
Single Epicenter in multi-race wagers, and key him in exactas and trifectas over Secret Oath, Simplification, and Creative Minister.
Sara Ebaldwi, Horse Racing Nation
Winner: #8 Epicenter
On the Board: #4 Secret Oath
Longshot I Like: #6 Happy Jack
Analysis: At a short price, Epicenter is a deserving favorite. He should get a great stalking trip and he has won at this 1 3/16-miles distance as well. Happy Jack adds blinkers and gets a jockey upgrade. He may sit closer than he did in the Derby and get a piece. Secret Oath belongs, but is she better than Epicenter? I don't think she is.