WEB 2023 Preakness Stakes Post Positions and Odds

May 20, 2023

10-minute read

The 2023 Preakness Stakes is set to offer something that the 2022 edition lacked: a rematch between Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike and runner-up Epicenter. Those two 3-year-old colts are among the nine horses entered in the 148th running of the middle jewel of the Triple Crown at historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on Saturday, May 20.

Post Positions and Odds

Here is a look at the post positions and morning-line odds for the 2023 Preakness Stakes:

• 1. Creative Minister (5-1)
• 2. Epicenter (7-2)
• 3. Endorsed (30-1)
• 4. Fenwick (50-1)
li>5. Happy Jack (20-1)
• 6. Armagnac (10-1)
• 7. Skippylongstocking (20-1)
• 8. Rich Strike (8-5)
• 9. Simplification (12-1)

Rich Strike is the slight morning-line favorite at 8-5, followed by Epicenter at 7-2. Creative Minister, the winner of the Grade 2 Wood Memorial Stakes, is the third choice at 5-1.

The Contenders

Rich Strike is the obvious headliner of the Preakness field. The son of Keen Ice pulled off a stunning 80-1 upset in the Kentucky Derby, becoming the second-longest shot to ever win the Run for the Roses. Rich Strike has not raced since the Derby, but he has been training well at Churchill Downs and is expected to be ready for a big effort in the Preakness.

Epicenter is the other major player in the Preakness. The son of Not This Time was the 2-1 favorite in the Kentucky Derby, but he could not keep up with Rich Strike in the stretch. Epicenter has won four of his six career starts, including the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby and the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes. He is a proven performer at Pimlico, having won the Grade 3 Private Terms Stakes there last year.

Creative Minister is the most intriguing horse in the Preakness field. The son of Creative Cause has won two of his three career starts, including the Grade 2 Wood Memorial Stakes. Creative Minister is a late-running closer who should be able to take advantage of the expected fast pace in the Preakness. He is a legitimate contender to upset Rich Strike and Epicenter.

The other horses in the Preakness field are long shots, but they all have a chance to make some noise. Endorsed is a Grade 1 winner who has been training well for the Preakness. Fenwick is a lightly raced colt who has shown some promise in his two career starts. Happy Jack is a stakes winner who has been in good form this year. Armagnac is a French-bred colt who has won two of his three career starts. Skippylongstocking is a Grade 3 winner who has been training well for the Preakness. Simplification is a Grade 2 winner who has been in good form this year.

The 2023 Preakness Stakes is shaping up to be a wide-open race. Rich Strike, Epicenter, and Creative Minister are the top contenders, but any of the other horses in the field could make some noise. The race is sure to be exciting from start to finish.