Study Guide: 2022 Preakness Stakes

May 17, 2022 J. Keeler Johnson

Epicenter winning the Risen Star S. (G2) at Fair Grounds (Photo by Hodges Photography/Amanda Hodges Weir)

Nine horses have been entered to contest Saturday's $1.5 million Preakness S. (G1) at Pimlico, the second leg of the Triple Crown. It isn't a huge field by the standards of a spring classic, and Kentucky Derby (G1) hero Rich Strike is absent, but the nine entrants nevertheless comprise a talented and competitive field for the 1 3/16-mile race.

Let's check out the Preakness contenders:

Total 8 start(s)	Top Speed Rating: (103) when breaking his maiden at Gulfstream Park.
Wins: 3	Total Earnings: $665,350
Place: 1
Show: 2

Owner: Tami Bobo and Tristan De Meric	Sire: Not This Time
Breeder: France Weiner and Irwin Weiner	Dam: Simply Confection
Trainer: Antonio Sano	Color: Bay
Jockey: John Velazquez

Versatility is a strong suit for Simplification. He wired the Mucho Macho Man S., pressed a hot pace when finishing third in the Florida Derby (G1), and rallied from behind to win the Fountain of Youth S. (G2) and finish fourth in the Kentucky Derby (G1). With five straight Brisnet Speed ratings in the 92-99 range under his belt, Simplification is a consistent and talented competitor with a chance to crack the top four at Pimlico.

Total 3 start(s)	Top Speed Rating: (101) when winning an allowance at Churchill Downs.
Wins: 2	Total Earnings: $140,595
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Fern Circle Stables, Back Racing, and Magdalena Racing	Sire: Creative Cause
Breeder: Dell Ridge Farm	Dam: Tamboz
Trainer: Kenny McPeek	Color: Gray/roan
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.

One of the biggest wildcards in the Preakness field is Creative Minister. The Kenny McPeek trainee is 2-for-2 since stretching out around two turns, breaking his maiden by 1 1/2 lengths at Keeneland before unleashing a strong rally to win a Kentucky Derby day allowance at Churchill Downs by 2 3/4 lengths. The latter victory produced a 101 Brisnet Speed rating, one of the highest figures in the Preakness field, and Creative Minister is bred to relish racing 1 3/16 miles. Dismiss this exciting up-and-comer at your own risk, because a top-four finish could be within reach.

Total 6 start(s)	Top Speed Rating: (90) when breaking his maiden at Tampa Bay Downs.
Wins: 1	Total Earnings: $53,840
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Villa Rosa Farm and Harlo Stable	Sire: Curlin
Breeder: John C. Oxley	Dam: Make the Sun Shine
Trainer: Kevin McKathan	Color: Chestnut
Jockey: Florent Geroux

Fenwick was an impressive maiden winner at Tampa Bay Downs during the winter, leading all the way to win by 5 1/4 lengths. But Fenwick benefited from setting a slow pace, and he subsequently finished last in the Blue Grass S. (G1) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, suggesting he'll need a step forward to challenge against tougher competition in the Preakness.

Total 8 start(s)	Top Speed Rating: (103) when winning the Kentucky Oaks (G1).
Wins: 5	Total Earnings: $1,295,417
Place: 0
Show: 2

Owner: Briland Farm	Sire: Arrogate
Breeder: Briland Farm, Robert Mitchell, and Stacy Mitchell	Dam: Absinthe Minded
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas	Color: Chestnut
Jockey: Luis Saez

Can Secret Oath follow Rachel Alexandra (2009) and Swiss Skydiver (2020) as the third filly to win the Preakness in the last 13 years? The improving daughter of champion Arrogate was an impressive winner of the Kentucky Oaks (G1) two weeks ago, unleashing a sweeping rally around the far turn to win by two lengths. She fits the Preakness field from a Brisnet Speed rating perspective and brings a strong turn-of-foot to the table, suggesting a competitive Preakness showing is in the cards for Secret Oath.

Total 3 start(s)	Top Speed Rating: (111) when finishing second in the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct.
Wins: 2	Total Earnings: $321,500
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Klaravich Stables	Sire: Gun Runner
Breeder: Three Chimneys Farm	Dam: Amour d'Ete
Trainer: Chad Brown	Color: Dark bay/brown
Jockey: Jose Ortiz

A son of hot young sire Gun Runner, Early Voting is a neck away from being undefeated in three starts. After winning his debut and smashing a quality field in the Withers S. (G3), Early Voting ran second in a fast edition of the Wood Memorial (G2). A pure pacesetter, Early Voting actually finished strongly in the Wood Memorial to post a 111 Brisnet Speed rating that tops the Preakness field. Trainer Chad Brown employed the Wood Memorial-to-Preakness strategy with 2017 Preakness winner Cloud Computing, and it's possible Early Voting can successfully follow the same path. If anyone can upset Preakness favorite Epicenter, it might be Early Voting.

Total 5 start(s)	Top Speed Rating: (97) when finishing third in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
Wins: 1	Total Earnings: $182,200
Place: 0
Show: 2

Owner: Calumet Farm	Sire: Oxbow
Breeder: Calumet Farm	Dam: Tapitstry
Trainer: Doug O'Neill	Color: Bay
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Happy Jack has shown flashes of talent for Preakness-winning trainer Doug O'Neill, finishing third in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and San Felipe S. (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. But Happy Jack was beaten to 14th place in the Kentucky Derby, and his career-best 97 Brisnet Speed rating looks a little light against Saturday's field.

Total 5 start(s)	Top Speed Rating: (97) when winning a Santa Anita allowance.
Wins: 2	Total Earnings: $135,140
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan, Golconda Stable, and Siena Farm	Sire: Quality Road
Breeder: Stone Farm and Joseph W. Sutton	Dam: Kitty Wine
Trainer: Tim Yakteen	Color: Bay
Jockey: Irad Ortiz

Armagnac was a flashy allowance winner at Santa Anita two weeks ago, leading all the way to win by 4 1/4 lengths. But Armagnac previously finished behind Happy Jack when fourth in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and sixth in the San Felipe S. (G2), so stepping back up in class for the Preakness is a question mark.

Total 7 start(s)	Top Speed Rating: (101) when finishing second in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Wins: 4	Total Earnings: $1,610,639
Place: 2
Show: 0

Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds	Sire: Not This Time
Breeder: Westwind Farms	Dam: Silent Candy
Trainer: Steve Asmussen	Color: Bay
Jockey: Joel Rosario

Epicenter ran too well to lose in the Kentucky Derby, racing closer to a historically fast pace than the other top contenders. He took command at the mile marker and appeared destined for victory until longshot Rich Strike came surging up the rail to win by three-quarters of a length. Even in defeat, Epicenter earned a strong 101 Brisnet Speed rating, matching the figure he posted in the Louisiana Derby (G2) two starts back. You can argue Epicenter ran the best race in the Kentucky Derby, and a similar effort at Pimlico should land him in the Preakness winner's circle. The bay colt looms as a formidable favorite for two-time Preakness-winning trainer Steve Asmussen.

Total 9 start(s)	Top Speed Rating: (107) when finishing third in the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct.
Wins: 2	Total Earnings: $165,100
Place: 1
Show: 2

Owner: Daniel Alonso	Sire: Exaggerator
Breeder: Brushy Hill	Dam: Twinkling
Trainer: Saffie Joseph	Color: Bay
Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Skippylongstocking may have lost six of his first seven starts, but the son of 2016 Preakness winner Exaggerator has come to hand impressively in recent months. After rallying from behind a fast pace to win a 1 1/8-mile allowance at Gulfstream Park, Skippylongstocking outran expectations to finish third in the Wood Memorial (G2), coming home 3 1/2 lengths behind Early Voting. Skippylongstocking is progressing in the right direction and finished fast in the Wood Memorial, suggesting a top-four finish at high odds isn't out of the question at Pimlico.