The betting markets for the Preakness Stakes this year are already open following the 2022 Kentucky Derby. The second jewel in the Triple Crown is often one of the hardest to break down, as it is often worth considering horses that bypassed the Churchill Downs race in favor of the Preakness.
So, which outsiders in the current betting market for the race at Pimlico could have an outside chance of winning the second leg of the Triple Crown at the end of May?
You can check this guide on the Preakness Stakes if you are not very familiar with the race: https://www.twinspires.com/preakness-stakes/betting
Ethereal Road
One horse that is rumored to be lining up at Pimlico is Ethereal Road for D. Wayne Lukas. There would be something very remarkable about this three-year-old winning the Preakness, as he was the horse that was pulled out of the Kentucky Derby to allow Rich Strike the opportunity to produce his 81/1 shock win. His form is slightly sketchier than most, as he ran a big race to finish second behind Un Ojo in the G2 Rebel Stakes earlier in the season, but has been slightly more disappointing since then.
He finished way behind Zandon in the G1 Blue Grass, as he could finish only seventh, but he did stay on well to finish fourth in the G3 Lexington. The decision to scratch from the Derby could indicate that the Preakness is the goal, and at a big price, he could have an each-way chance.
Skippylongstocking
Saffie Joseph Jr is yet to win a Triple Crown race, but he could have an excellent outsider for the Preakness in the form of Skippylongstocking. This three-year-old has won once from six career starts but is yet to make the step up into graded company with a victory.
Nonetheless, positives could certainly be taken from his recent effort. He finished third in the G2 Wood Memorial, which was just over three lengths behind Mo Donegal. It was an impressive first outing in graded company, and it would appear that Preakness has been the target for connections from a long way out.
He never attempted to get onto the Derby trail, and instead preferred to stick over distances of greater than a mile in stakes and allowance optional claimers. He’ll be a big price for the Preakness, but there was enough to like about his run in the Wood Memorial to merit at least each-way optimism that he could finish in the money.
Creative Minister
Kenneth McPeek enjoyed success in the Preakness with Swiss Skydiver two years ago, and he could have two outstanding chances this year. Smile Happy enjoyed a decent run in the Kentucky Derby and can’t be underestimated. However, out of his two likely contenders, Creative Minister could be the most intriguing.
This three-year-old will step up into graded company for the first time for the Preakness, but he has already looked very impressive over 1 1/16 miles in allowance company. He broke his maiden over that distance at Keeneland, as he held off Pioneering Spirit and Enough Already in early April.
He took a very noticeable step forward on his most recent start too, as he won at Churchill Downs on May 7th in an allowance optional claimer. On that occasion, he beat Cover Me Up and Money Supply, reaching a speed figure of 108. That was a very strong showing, and he is already showing versatility after finishing in the money at three different tracks.
Pimlico could once again play to his strengths, and the target throughout the year has looked to be the Preakness. He could have a huge role to play if backing up his run at Churchill Downs.
