Preakness Stakes Results 2022: Early Voting cast as victor

With temperatures exceeding 90 degrees all-day, the 147th running of the 2nd jewel in the Triple Crown went-off without a hitch on Saturday afternoon. As the field was loading ... with 8 colts and 1 filly ... it was Steve Asmussen's Epicenter #8 that garnered favoritism at odds of 7/5. HOF trainer D. Wayne Lukas' Secret Oath #4, a female runner who won the Kentucky Oaks (G1), served as the 2nd choice at odds of 9/2.

When the bell sounded, it was Sean McCarthy's Arnagnac #7 (18/1), a former member of both Bob Baffert and Tim Yakteen's stables, who immediately raced to the lead. Extremely "keyed-up" during the trip to the turf course to be saddled, and in the post parade, he was jazzed. It was thought that Epicenter #8 could be either forwardly-placed, or jockey Joel Rosario could take the runner-up in the Kentucky Derby back, if needed. Both he and Lukas' Secret Oath #4 were squeezed after the start by Doug O'Neill's Happy Jack #6. The filly was pushed to the rear.

As for the rest of the field, it was Chad Brown's Early Voting #5 (5/1), ridden by Jose Ortiz, that was tracking the leader from just off-the-speed. Then came Saffie Joseph's Simplification #1 (8/1), that was looking to strike, when the time was right. Arnagnac #7 was hustled along by Irad Ortiz, and down the backstretch it looked as though he was trying to inch away. That did not last, as a bevy of runners were trying to make their moves. It was apparent that Epicenter #8 would get caught down on the rail, hoping for an opening, while Secret Oath #4 would have to cut to the 4, or even the 5-path, if Luis Saez wanted to have a shot. As the top of the lane arrived, it was Arnagnac #4 who out of gas, and Early Voting #5, who was full of run, was ready to take over the lead. Down the stretch, Ortiz urged his mount on, and he had more than enough fire to get the job done. Rosario (on the rail) and Saez (outside) were going to be competing for the minors. Early Voting #5 ... he won ... by a length and a quarter.

Crossing the wire 1st, the celebrations began for the Klaravich connections. The red-lettered "KS" of Seth Klarman's Stable continues to set marks across the sport, but it has been 5 years since they celebrated a Preakness victory with Cloud Computing. Klarman himself comes from Baltimore, and the expression on his face after the race told the story. Rounding out those minors, it was Epicenter #8, who once again was 2nd in a Triple Crown race; Kenny McPeek's Creative Minister #2 that rallied for 3rd; and finally, Secret Oath #4 ended up 4th ... what a Preakness Stakes ... now, the scene shifts to Elmont, New York because in 3 weeks it is the Belmont Stakes.

WPS Pool Total: $24,109,927, and here are the Payouts ...

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