First, there won’t be a Triple Crown winner this year as, Rich Strike, the Kentucky Derby winner is taking time to rest and recover before the Belmont Stakes. However, the second jewel of the crown still drew a select and talented field that is sure to entertain. The Grade I, $1.5 million dollar Preakness Stakes is hosted by Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD. The race is lucky 13 on a card of 14. The Preakness will post at 7:01 PM ET. It is a 1 and 3/16 mile dirt race for 3 year-old thoroughbreds. Race 1 posts at 10:30 AM ET. CNBC will televise the races, at Pimlico, beginning at 2:00 PM ET and until 4:00 PM ET, when coverage switches to NBC.
Therefore, let’s check out the entries by post/horse/jockey/trainer/owner/morning-line odds and finish in the Kentucky Derby when applicable:
- Simplification/John Velazquez/Antonio Sano/Tami Bobo and Tristan De Meric/6-1/4th in the KY Derby
- Creative Minister/Brian Henandez, Jr./Kenneth McPeek/Fern Circle Stables, Back Racing, LLC., Magdalena Racing/10-1
- Fenwick/Florent Geroux/Kevin McKathan/Villa Rossa Farm and Harlo Stable/50-1
- Secret Oath/Luis Saez/D. Wayne Lukas/Briland Farm/9-2
- Early Voting/Jose Ortiz/Chad Brown/Klaravich Stables, Inc./7-2
- Happy Jack/Tyler Gaffalione/Doug O’Neill/Calumet Farm/30-1/14th in the KY Derby
- Armagnac/Irad Ortiz, Jr./Tim Yakteen/SF racing, LLC., Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, LLC.,Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, LLC., Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capitol, LLC., Catherine Donovan, Golconda Stable, Siena Farm, LLC./12-1
- Epicenter/Joel Rosario/Steven Asmussen/Winchell Thoroughbreds, LLC./6-5/2nd in the KY Derby
- Skippylongstocking/Junior Alvarado/Saffie Joseph, Jr./Daniel Alonso/20-1
Moreover, for those who prefer detailed pondering, read on as each entry is discussed by name (state of breeding) sire – dam: (career starts:wins-2nds-3rd place finishes) and some extra information:
Simplification (FL) Not This Time – Simply Confection: (8:3-1-2): In the KY Derby, Simplification, broke from lucky post 13 and finished in the money. He was fourth in the field of twenty. Simplification is making a jockey change in this race, trading Jose Ortiz for Velazquez.
Creative Minister (KY) Creative Cause – Tamboz: (3:2-1-0): This lovely gray did race at Churchill on KY Derby Day, however, it was an allowance, rather than the Grade I Stakes. He won that allowance. Prior, Creative Minister, raced in a maiden at Gulfstream Park and additionally won at my hometrack, Keeneland. His trainer, McPeek, won the 2020 edition of the Preakness Stakes.
Fenwick (KY) Curlin – Make The Sun Shine: (6:1-1-0): Fenwick broke his maiden in his fifth race. His last start was at Keeneland where he finished eleventh in the Blue Grass Stakes. He is sired by 2007 Preakness winner, Curlin!
Secret Oath (KY) Arrogate – Absinthe Minded: (8:5-0-2): The lone filly in the Preakness, Secret Oath is the winner of this year’s Longines Kentucky Oaks. Rather than compete in this Friday’s filly race, the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, she is going to race with the boys! Six fillies have won the Preakness prior. Secret Oath’s trainer, Lukas, has won the Preakness six times!
Early Voting (KY) Gun Runner – Amour d’Ete: (3:2-1-0): Early Voting was ranked 15 on the KY Derby leaderboard but trainer, Brown, chose not to race him in the KY Derby and focus on the Preakness. Brown and owner, Klaravich Stables, won the Preakness together in 2017.
Happy Jack (KY) Oxbow – Tapitstry: (5:1-0-20: Happy Jack broke from post two in the KY Derby to finish fourteenth. He is making a jockey change in this race, picking up Tyler Gaffalione. Gaffalione won the Preakness in 2019. Happy Jack’s sire, Oxbow, won the Preakness in 2013. Meanwhile his trainer, O’Neill won the Preakness in 2012 and Calumet Farm holds the most wins for an owner. Calumet Farm has won the Preakness eight times!
Armagnac (KY) Quality Road – Kitty Wine: (5:2-0-1): Armagnac has had all of his starts at Santa Anita. After sixth and fourth place finishes in graded stakes his last start was in an allowance optional claiming race. Fortunately, he won. Armagnac has several owners and several of them have had part in Preakness wins. His Stonestreet Stables owners have won the Preakness twice.
Epicenter (KY) Not This Time – Silent Candy: (7:4-2-0): Epicenter finished second in the KY Derby, breaking from post three. He is once again, the favorite to win, having ranked number one on the leaderboard for KY Derby prep races. Epicenter shares his sire with Simplification. Trainer, Asmussen, has won the Preakness twice.
Skippylongstocking (KY): Exaggerator – Twinkling: (9:2-1-2): Skippylongstocking is not the long shot. His odds aren’t too bad. His sire, Exaggerator, is the 2016 Preakness winner. Skippylongstocking’s last start was the Wood Memoral at Aqueduct where he did earn 20 KY Derby prep points with a third place finish. He did not enter the KY Derby field.
In conclusion, this field is very different from the KY Derby raced just two weeks prior. I expect that we might be very surprised with the winner. I am looking forward to seeing how much of an influence that the Preakness winning sires may have made in this race.
Thank you for reading Thoroughbred U. Let me know what your ponderings are about this Preakness?
