2022 Preakness Stakes Early Value Futures Betting

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Epicenter with Joel Rosario up (L) Rob Carr/Getty Images/AFP

With Kentucky Derby longshot winner Rich Strike passing along with several others from the Derby, the Preakness Stakes is lacking in luster. However, the winner, no matter the field, will have its name engraved in history and that will not be forgotten.

2022 Preakness Stakes

Saturday, May 21, 2022 – 06:45 PM EDT at Pimlico Race Course

At present, we have a nine-horse field and that appears unlikely to change. Here are the entrants and betting odds from Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)

  1. Epicenter 1.5-1 odds
  2. Early Voting 3.5-1
  3. Secret Oath 4-1
  4. Creative Minister 5-1
  5. Simplification 5-1
  6. Skippylongstocking 12-1
  7. Un Ojo 20-1
  8. Happy Jack 25-1
  9. Shake Em Loose 33-1

To be honest, this looks like Epicenter’s to lose, kind of like the last part of the Derby. However, when it comes to horse racing betting, the unexpected is part of the equation. Sometimes, there are obvious mid-range priced horses that have a certain appeal.

2022 Preakness Stakes Betting Odds Breakdown

As we do this article, the favorite seems solid and once the draw of the race starts, that might enhance others than Epicenter.

What we’ll do is give you a rundown of what to possibly expect from this field from a betting perspective from this field.

  • Epicenter – When the initial first odds were released with Epicenter at 3/1, we thought that was good value, as we expected that to fall. If Epicenter runs exactly the same race like the Derby at the Preakness with its shorter distance, this would be your winner. However, the betting odds are already lower, so that seems out the window.
  • Early Voting – Trainer Chad Brown used Zandon as his best hope at Churchill Downs and saved Early Voting for this spot. Brown has used this strategy before with Cloud Computing in 2017. Likely the best choice outside of the favorite.
  • Secret Oath – This female won the Kentucky Oaks and trainer D. Wayne Lukas seriously considered running her the next day in the Derby prior to that. With her having won as the best three-year female, in this a less than an illustrious field, she’s drawing attention. The question is if the pace is fast from the start, will Secret Oath hold up?
  • Creative Minister – Creative Minister won an allowance race on Derby Day and trainer Kenny McPeek feels this is the best in his barn to make a run at this one.
  • Simplification – This horse finished a charging 4th at the Derby, but was still well off the pace. Because of the finish, expect Simplification to be bet rather heavily, but horses that finish in that manner in Churchill often are a non-factor in Baltimore. However, on talent, Simplification is one of the four best here.
  • Skippylongstocking – Ran 3rd at the Wood Memorial, but that seems less impressive with Wood winner Mo Donegal a nonfactor at Churchill. It is best to see how final workouts look.
  • Un Ojo – Missed the Derby with a bruised foot but is now 100 percent according to trainer Ricky Courville. Finishing 8th at the Arkansas Derby doesn’t inspire confidence, yet, the early word has him as high as second or at a listed position by odds. Probably not a winning candidate, but could fit for an exacta or trifecta box.
  • Happy Jack – Happy Jack was thought of as a possible long-shot contender early in the week of the Derby, but horse bettors soured on him as the week progressed and he showed why when finishing 14th.
  • Shake Em Loose – The name seems about right when it comes to betting this race. Shake this one loose and look for others.

*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.