Recent Dominance Makes Epicenter The Favorite At Preakness

• Epicenter (-105 odds) has opened as the favorite versus the rest of the field at the Preakness.
• His Preakness odds may be in part to the historical success that Kentucky Derby horses have had at the track.
• Since 2000, 16 of 22 Preakness winners also raced at the derby. Eight won the Derby and would win the Preakness.

BALTIMORE – The 147th Preakness Stakes begins on Saturday, May 21 without 2022 Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike. With no Rich Strike and some of the other top horses from the derby, Epicenter looms as the clear front runner to win the “Run for the Black-Eyed Susans.”

2022 Preakness Odds

• Simplification +750
• Creative Minister +1100
• Fenwick +4000
• Secret Oath +450
• Early Voting +450
• Happy Jack +3500
• Armagnac +1400
• Epicenter -105
• Skippylongstocking +2200

Horses From The Kentucky Derby Dominate At The Preakness

It would not be a surprise to any horse racing betting player that Kentucky Derby participants have historically dominated at the Preakness. Preakness winners since 2000 have overwhelmingly participated, and frequently won, the Kentucky Derby directly before winning the Preakness.

Of the 22 winners since 2000, 16 were coming off the Kentucky Derby.

Comparing The Last Races For Every Preakness Winner Since 2000

Race	Preakness Winners	Winners Who Also Won The Preakness	Average Finish Prior To The Preakness
Kentucky Derby	16	8	2.75
Kentucky Oaks	2	1	1.5
Wood Memorial	2	0	2.5
Withers	1	1	1
Blue Grass Stakes	1	0	3

Legal sports betting sites have taken note that Kentucky Derby Winner Rich Strike is not participating, shortening the odds for runner-ups Epicenter (2nd) and Simplification (4th). Zandon, the horse that finished in third place, is not racing in the Preakness.

Epicenter Versus The Field

Coming off a second-place finish in the Blue Grass State despite closing as a +300 favorite, Epicenter versus the field has become the talk of the Preakness.

Epicenter’s -105 odds imply that there is roughly a 50% chance that he will win. That may be totally justified given that his worst finish in the last six months is second place, which has happened twice. Neither of the first place horses that Epicenter has lost to are racing at the Preakness.

Given Epicenter’s dominant history, it is hard to see any horse that beats him at the Preakness.

News tags: Epicenter | Horse Racing | Kentucky Derby | Preakness | Rich Strike