- The 147th Preakness Stakes will take place at Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course on May 21, 2022.
- Kentucky Derby runner up Epicenter and Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath are the likely morning line favorites.
- Entries will be finalized and post positions drawn on Monday, May 16 at 4 PM Eastern.
More updates on the field for the 147th running of the Preakness Stakes set for Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course on May 21, 2022:
RICH STRIKE OUT
Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike won’t run in the Preakness Stakes. He’s not injured–his connections just don’t think it’s advisable to run him back on just a two week break. The plan now is to target the Belmont Stakes. Rich Strike’s connections made the announcement in a press release issued by the Maryland Jockey Club:
Our original plan for Rich Strike was contingent on the KY Derby, should we not run in the Derby we would point toward the Preakness, should we run in the Derby, subject to the race outcome & the condition of our horse, we would give him more recovery time & rest and run in the Belmont, or another race and stay on course to run with 5 or 6 weeks rest between races.
Obviously, with our tremendous effort & win in the Derby it’s very, very tempting to alter our course & run in the Preakness at Pimlico, which would be a great honor for all our group, however, after much discussion & consideration with my trainer, Eric Reed & a few others, we are going to stay with our plan of what’s best for Ritchie is what’s best for our group, and pass on running in the Preakness, and point toward the Belmont in approximately 5 weeks.
We thank the wonderful Preakness & Pimlico folks that have reached out to us & very much appreciate the invite.
We wish you all a great race!!!!
Rick Dawson, Owner
Rich Strike (Ritchie)
Winner Derby #148
It’s rare but not unprecedented for the Kentucky Derby winner to skip the Preakness. Eleven horses have done so for a variety of reasons including injury and better financial opportunities elsewhere.
ZANDON LIKELY OUT
Chad Brown says he’s unlikely to bring Kentucky Derby third place finisher Zandon back on two weeks to run in the Preakness. A final decision will be made on Sunday as Brown told the Daily Racing Form:
“I just want to make sure I’m not making a mistake not running in what maybe is a short field. From what I see so far, this horse could really benefit from recovering from that race. He was on his belly trying to get by Epicenter and he couldn’t do it – a valiant effort and a terrific effort. I’m so proud of him. I see a horse that came out of there a little tired from it. That’s why I’m thinking this way.”
EARLY VOTING IN
Early Voting will likely be Chad Brown’s only Preakness starter. He’s run three times–a maiden win, a win in the Grade 3 Withers and a second place to Mo Donegal in the Wood Memorial. This will be his first race away from Aquedeuct since Brown chose to hold him out of the Kentucky Derby:
“I think the time is on his side, certainly being rested, and he’s continuing to improve, which is why we skipped the Derby. We’re allowing him to keep developing, and I’m seeing that now. From the Wood to now, he’s getting faster and stronger.”
ARMAGNAC IN
Tim Yakteen–sub for suspended Bob Baffert–will enter recent Santa Anita allowance race winner Armagnac in the field. Armagnac finished fourth in the Santa Anita Derby and won last weekend going without blinkers for the first time putting up a career best 93 Beyer Speed Figure.
SHAKE EM LOOSE TBA
Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon, trainer of gelding Shake Em Loose will make the call on his status following a Sunday workout. Shake Em Loose has won 5 of his last 7 races and is coming off a third place finish in the Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Park on April 16.
SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING IN
Third place finisher in the Wood Memorial, Skippylongstocking completed his final pre-Preakness work at Florida’s Palm Meadowns training facility on Friday. Trainer Saffie Joseph Junior says he’ll van to Pimlico on Sunday and that he’s been working well:
“I thought he went very well. I think he’s improving with every start. He won the allowance race and then finished third in the Wood. He’s definitely gotten better around two turns. I don’t think the Wood was a fluke, and the added distance in the Preakness should help him. And after the results of the Derby, why not take a chance and hope for the best?”
PREAKNESS STAKES PROJECTED FIELD AS OF FRIDAY, MAY 13
ARMAGNAC
CREATIVE MINISTER
EARLY VOTING
EPICENTER
HAPPY JACK
RATTLE N ROLL
SECRET OATH
SHAKE EM LOOSE
SIMPLIFICATION
SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING
UN OJO
Preakness Stakes post positions will be drawn at 4 PM Eastern on Monday, May 16 at Citron Restaurant and Bar in Baltimore.
