Preakness Stakes 2022: horses, odds and what to know
Thankfully, the 7:01 PM ET postal time won’t be at the peak of the day, but it will still be very hot.
The expected temperature at the start of the race is 91 degrees. This will be a few degrees below the high temperature for the day which should reach 94 degrees – 18 degrees above normal.
Extreme heat means acclimatization could be a problem. The heat at the start of the season affects people the most because their bodies are not yet used to it, according to the CNN meteorological team.
In the absence of Rich Strike, nine horses will line up to compete for the prestigious award and all contenders will take inspiration from a shocking result in this year’s Derby.
Hall of Fame horse trainer Bob Baffert also wants to lose Preakness after missing this year’s Kentucky Derby.
Baffert appealed the KHRC’s decision, but the Kentucky Court of Appeals denied his distress call on April 1. His suspension began on April 4.
The legendary manager will not be able to participate in Preakness due to Maryland’s “reciprocity” statute.
Those to watch
Rich Strike stunned almost everyone when he won the Derby with the longest odds of any other horse in the race: 80/1.
Runner-up that day was Epicenter and the horse made a comeback as the favorite for the central jewel of the Triple Crown.
Epicenter trainer Steve Asmussen is the most successful in North American horse racing history and will want to make up for the Kentucky Derby disappointment.
Interestingly, Fenwick is considered to be the biggest outsider at this year’s Preakness Stakes – at 50/1 – but bettors may be tempted to take the long shot of the game this time around.
Fenwick’s trainer Kevin McKathan says he thinks his horse might be “special” and isn’t ruling out another upset against the more established names on the field.
“Everyone says ‘This is true sport for the rich and famous,’” McKathan said, according to the Associated Press.
“But let me tell you something. You end up with a good horse and you can beat them all.
“That horse has no idea. He has no idea how much it cost. He has no idea who owns that guy. He has no idea what kind of plane they flew in here. They don’t know.”
Secret Oath and Early Voting are two other horses that, along with Epicenter, make up the favorites list.
How to watch
The Preakness Stakes will air in the United States on NBC, the NBC website and its app.
