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Mark Humphrey/Associated Press
At this year’s Kentucky Derby, Rich Strike went off as an 80-1 long shot and won in one of the most shocking upsets in thoroughbred racing history.
At 91-1 odds, Donerail’s win in the 1913 Kentucky Derby is the only bigger upset in Derby history.
And while Rich Strike remains a feel-good story, the Eric Reed-trained colt won’t make further history as a Triple Crown winner. Owner Rick Dawson pulled his horse from the Preakness last week, choosing instead to focus on the Belmont Stakes next month.
According to Dawson, the plan was never to run Rich Strike in back-to-back events.
“Should we not run in the Derby we would point toward the Preakness, should we run in the Derby, subject to the race outcome and the condition of our horse, we would give him more recovery time and rest and run in the Belmont, or another race and stay on course to run with five or six weeks’ rest between races,” he said in a statement.
Even without the Run for the Roses victor, the Preakness field is an impressive one, and we’ll have more clarity on the lineup after Monday’s post draw.
Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about the current field and the schedule for race week.
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Julio Cortez/Associated Press
Where: Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland
When: Saturday, May 21
Post Time: 6:50 p.m. ET
TV Coverage Start Time: 2 p.m. ET
TV and Live Steam: NBC, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports App and Peacock (pre-race coverage on CNBC from 2-4 p.m. ET)
Post Draw: Monday, May 16 at 4 p.m. ET
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Charlie Riedel/Associated Press
The known field and early odds, according to Sporstline.com (h/t CBS Sports), are as follows:
Epicenter 3-1
Secret Oath 11-2
Early Voting 6-1
Simplification 8-1
Creative Minister 10-1
Un Ojo 18-1
Skippylongstocking 20-1
Ethereal Road 25-1
Shake Em Loose 28-1
Rattle N Roll 28-1
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Jeff Roberson/Associated Press
The withdrawal of Rich Strike is a tad surprising, as many owners and trainers would jump at the chance to chase the Triple Crown. However, the Kentucky Derby winner may have found it difficult to win on the shorter Pimlico course.
Remember, the colt only overtook Epicenter in the final seconds of the Derby. With 1/16th of a mile less to cover, Epicenter—the Derby favorite and now the early Preakness favorite—would have won. If Rich Strike’s team doesn’t believe a Preakness win is realistic, it makes sense to save him for the Belmont Stakes.
As things stand, Epicenter is my pick for the Preakness. The Steven Asmussen-trained horse is fast and proved he can stalk and close at Churchill Downs.
Epicenter has a legitimate challenger in Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas has entered the filly, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see her go head-to-head with the Derby runner-up and win.
Another Lukas horse, Ethereal Road, will be in the Preakness after being a late scratch at Churchill Downs. It was his withdrawal that allowed Rich Strike to enter the Derby field in the first place. Rich Strike joined the race just before the preceding Friday’s deadline.
Though odds aren’t listed for Happy Jack, the Doug O’Neill-trained horse will be in the field, according to Brandon Weigel of CBS 13 Baltimore.
“He is checking all the boxes of a horse that exited his recent race in good shape,” O’Neill said. “We like the Preakness distance, and we like a shorter field than the 20 horses in the Derby.”
Happy Jack finished 14th at the Kentucky Derby.
The field should be set—barring scratches—at Monday’s post draw, scheduled to take place at 4 p.m. ET. By Monday evening, we’ll have a better idea of participants and positioning will affect the odds. Right now, though, it’s hard to pick against the favorite.
Pre-Draw Predictions
1. Epicenter
2. Secret Oath
3. Creative Minister
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