Trainers respond to 2022 Preakness Stakes post positions
Monday afternoon Pimlico officials hosted the post-position draw for the 147th Preakness Stakes at nearby Citron Restaurant. The race, scheduled as the 13th at Pimlico on Saturday, May 21, will be run as the 13th race of 14 on the day. Epicenter, drawn in post No. 8, was installed as the 6-5 morning line favorite.
Here is how the connections of the Preakness entrants responded to their post positions.
Trainer Steve Asmussen [Epicenter, post No. 8]: “I thought it was ideal. It’s a nine-horse field, plenty of run-up to the first turn. Several fresh horses and us coming back in two weeks, I think it’s absolutely ideal. You could say we’re half as nervous as the draw for the Derby, when you go from 20 runners to nine. I think that makes it that much more beneficial to everybody as far as post-position draw goes. With that being said, it’s exciting to run against Early Voting, me being a huge fan of Gun Runner (whom he trained). So I’m very excited to see him, but obviously anxious for Epicenter’s opportunity in the Preakness.”
Trainer Chad Brown [Early Voting, post No. 5]: “Terrific. I wanted to be somewhere in the middle, so that will work. I’m happy with the draw.”
Owner Rob Mitchell [Secret Oath, post No. 4]: “I think it’s fine. … I mean, I’m happier with that than I was after the post position for the Oaks (Post No. 1), but I’d really like to hear what Wayne [Lukas] has to say about it.”
Trainer Antonio Sano [Simplification, post No. 1]: “I saw speed to the outside. It doesn't change our strategy. At first, I thought no good, but Johnny V [John Velazquez] is so smart. He will make the decision if he has to go outside.”
Trainer Kenny McPeek [Creative Minister, post No. 2]: “I like him inside. We will leave it up to Brian (Hernandez Jr.). Really, it's not the post position as much as it is the horse. It would not have bothered me if we drew the rail.”
Trainer Tim Yakteen [Armagnac, post No. 7]: “I like it. The post should suit him fine. It's a good draw for him. In any race, yes, the post is key, but it depends on the horse. He just needs to get out and get in a good rhythm.”
Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. [Skippylongstocking, post No. 9]: “It’s fine. I don’t think the posts are going to compromise anybody, so I’m fine with it. It’s only a nine-horse field.”
Trainer Doug O’Neill [Happy Jack, post No. 6]: “Six out of nine – I like it. I think it's a good draw. With the three outside us, we have some wiggle room. This is a tough group. We like that there are nine rather than 20. We are happy right where we are."
Trainer Kevin McKathan [Fenwick, 50-1; post No. 3]: “The draw was perfect. I wanted to be right in the middle. My horse is going to the front. I deserve to be 50-1 how we ran last time. I deserve to be that, maybe 60-1. He has to go to the front – we got cut off, shut off in the Blue Grass – once that happens then anything can happen. He’s a free-running horse. You put him on the lead and let him go at 50-1, they might never see him again.