The 2022 Preakness Stakes runs Saturday at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Epicenter is the 6-5 favorite in the 2022 Preakness Stakes odds after the Kentucky Derby runner-up was the leading points-getter on the Derby Trail. Epicenter almost gave trainer Steve Asmussen his first Derby win before being chased down in the final strides by Rich Strike. The latter won't be in the 2022 Preakness Stakes field, with his connections opting to rest him in preparation for the Belmont Stakes. However, fourth-place finisher Simplification (6-1) and 14th-place finisher Happy Jack (30-1) will also make the quick turnaround from the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago to the Preakness Stakes 2022 on Saturday. Post time for the Preakness 2022 is 7:01 p.m. ET. With so much to consider while making your 2022 Preakness Stakes picks, a little expert help can go a long way.
The 2022 Preakness Stakes will be the 147th edition of the American Classic. It's been the second leg of the Triple Crown every year since 1932 except for 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the race to be rescheduled to October, when it was the final leg of that year's Triple Crown. Secretariat set the Preakness record, winning in a time of 1:53.00 in 1973 on his way to a Triple Crown. Filly Swiss Skydiver ran the second-fastest time in Preakness history at the 2020 race, finishing in 1:53.28 to become the sixth filly ever to win it. D. Wayne Lukas will be seeking his record-tying seventh Preakness win with Secret Oath.
Given all the history, there's a method to picking which horses to focus on for exacta, trifecta and superfecta bets in a Preakness Stakes like this, and SportsLine expert Jody Demling knows what it is. He can help you make the best 2022 Preakness Stakes picks possible.
A fixture in the horse racing world who has been writing about, talking about and betting on races for years, Demling has been on-point with his horse racing bets. In fact, this is the same handicapper who has called the Preakness winner nine times in the last 17 years. In the 2020 Preakness Stakes, Demling nailed the Swiss Skydiver-Authentic exacta.
He hit the exacta in the Wood Memorial in April. Last year, he hit the exacta, trifecta and superfecta in the Belmont Stakes. He's also hit the Derby-Oaks double at Churchill Downs 10 times in the last 14 years, including this year's massive upset with Rich Strike. That means he held a ticket with the winners of both the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby all but four times in his last 14 tries.
In addition, at one point in 2020, he picked the winners of six straight races: the Saudi Cup, Gotham Stakes, Rebel Stakes, Louisiana Derby, Florida Derby and Belmont Stakes. Anyone who has followed him on these races is way up. Now, he's sharing all of his 2022 Preakness Stakes bets here.
Top 2022 Preakness Stakes expert picks
Here's a refresher on these types of bets from SportsLine's Jody Demling:
Preakness Stakes Exacta: Pick the first- and second-place finishers in the correct order. A $1 exacta returned $49.30 at the 2021 Preakness Stakes with Rombauer and Midnight Bourbon.
Preakness Stakes Trifecta: Pick the first-, second- and third-place finishers in the correct order. A $1 trifecta returned $162.70 at the 2021 Preakness Stakes with Rombauer, Midnight Bourbon and Medina Spirit.
Preakness Stakes Superfecta: Pick the first-, second-, third- and fourth-place finishers in the correct order. A $1 superfecta returned a colossal $1,025.50 at the 2021 Preakness Stakes with Rombauer, Midnight Bourbon, Medina Spirit and Keepmeinmind.
While Demling has no quibbles with the favorite status of Epicenter (6-5) and Early Voting (7-2), he plans to hold tickets with Secret Oath (9-2) as well as four double-digit underdogs who could really spice up the payouts. You can see his picks here.
How to make 2022 Preakness Stakes bets
Demling has specific recommendations for exacta, trifecta and superfecta wagers so you can cover all your bases at the Preakness Stakes 2022. He's sharing them over at SportsLine.
So which horses do you take? And in what combinations? Visit SportsLine to get Demling's picks for exacta, trifecta and superfecta bets for the 2022 Preakness Stakes.
2022 Preakness Stakes odds, field, contenders
| Horse | Odds | Projection |
|---|---|---|
| Epicenter | 6-5 | SEE PICKS |
| Early Voting | 7-2 | SEE PICKS |
| Secret Oath | 9-2 | SEE PICKS |
| Simplification | 6-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Creative Minister | 10-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Armagnac | 12-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Skippylongstocking | 20-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Happy Jack | 30-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Fenwick | 50-1 | SEE PICKS |
