In the highly anticipated Preakness Stakes, a field of ten spirited steeds will vie for the coveted crown. Each horse represents a unique blend of speed, stamina, and determination, promising an exhilarating spectacle for racing enthusiasts. From the early morning preparations to the thunderous roar of the starting gate, the anticipation will build as these noble animals prepare to showcase their athleticism and grace on the legendary track.
Field Size
The 2023 Preakness Stakes will feature a field of 10 horses, which is the maximum number of horses allowed to run in the race.
Composition
- Epicenter: The Kentucky Derby winner is the morning-line favorite for the Preakness.
- Creative Minister: The runner-up in the Kentucky Derby is the second choice in the Preakness.
- Simplification: The Florida Derby winner is the third choice in the Preakness.
- Happy Jack: The Wood Memorial winner is the fourth choice in the Preakness.
- Armagnac: The Blue Grass Stakes winner is the fifth choice in the Preakness.
- Early Voting: The Preakness Stakes is the third leg of the Triple Crown.
- Fenwick: The Peter Pan Stakes winner is the seventh choice in the Preakness.
- Secret Oath: The Kentucky Oaks winner is the eighth choice in the Preakness.
- Skippylongstocking: The Lexington Stakes winner is the ninth choice in the Preakness.
- Venus de Milo: The Gazelle Stakes winner is the tenth choice in the Preakness.
| Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Morning Line Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epicenter | Steve Asmussen | Joel Rosario | 8-5 |
| Creative Minister | Kenny McPeek | Brian Hernandez Jr. | 5-2 |
| Simplification | Antonio Sano | John Velazquez | 9-2 |
| Happy Jack | Doug O’Neill | Mike Smith | 6-1 |
| Armagnac | Brad Cox | Florent Geroux | 10-1 |
| Early Voting | Chad Brown | Jose Ortiz | 12-1 |
| Fenwick | Mike Maker | David Cohen | 20-1 |
| Secret Oath | D. Wayne Lukas | Luis Saez | 20-1 |
| Skippylongstocking | Saffie Joseph Jr. | Tyler Gaffalione | 30-1 |
| Venus de Milo | Bob Baffert | John Velazquez | 50-1 |
Preakness Stakes Contenders
The Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown, is set to take place on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. A field of 10 horses is expected to compete in the 1 3/16-mile race.
- Epicenter: The Kentucky Derby winner and current favorite for the Preakness.
- Simplification: The Florida Derby winner who finished second in the Kentucky Derby.
- Creative Minister: The Wood Memorial winner who finished third in the Kentucky Derby.
- Early Voting: The Preakness Stakes favorite who finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby.
- Armagnac: The Blue Grass Stakes winner who finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby.
- Secret Oath: The Kentucky Oaks winner who is the only filly in the Preakness field.
- Happy Jack: The Peter Pan Stakes winner who finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby.
- Skippylongstocking: The Withers Stakes winner who finished ninth in the Kentucky Derby.
- Fenwick: The Lexington Stakes winner who finished 10th in the Kentucky Derby.
- Un Ojo: The Santa Anita Derby winner who finished 11th in the Kentucky Derby.
The Preakness Stakes is one of the most prestigious races in American horse racing. It is the second leg of the Triple Crown, which also includes the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. The winner of the Preakness Stakes receives a prize of $1 million.
| Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epicenter | Steve Asmussen | Joel Rosario | 9/5 |
| Simplification | Antonio Sano | John Velazquez | 5/2 |
| Creative Minister | Kenny McPeek | Brian Hernandez Jr. | 9/2 |
| Early Voting | Chad Brown | José Ortiz | 5/1 |
| Armagnac | Todd Pletcher | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 10/1 |
| Secret Oath | D. Wayne Lukas | Luis Saez | 12/1 |
| Happy Jack | Doug O’Neill | Mario Gutierrez | 15/1 |
| Skippylongstocking | Saffie Joseph Jr. | Paco Lopez | 20/1 |
| Fenwick | John Sherriffs | Umberto Rispoli | 30/1 |
| Un Ojo | Richard Mandella | Mike Smith | 50/1 |
The Preakness: A Field of Contenders
The Preakness Stakes is the second leg of the Triple Crown, a prestigious series of horse races in the United States. This year, 10 horses are set to compete in the Preakness, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses.
Impact of Previous Races
- Kentucky Derby: The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown, and it can have a significant impact on the Preakness. Horses that finish well in the Derby are often considered to be the favorites in the Preakness. This year, Epicenter, who won the Kentucky Derby, is the morning-line favorite for the Preakness.
- Other Preps: In addition to the Kentucky Derby, there are several other prep races that can help horses prepare for the Preakness. The Wood Memorial, the Blue Grass Stakes, and the Santa Anita Derby are all considered to be important prep races for the Preakness.
The Field
| Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epicenter | Joel Rosario | Steve Asmussen | 9-5 |
| Early Voting | Jose Ortiz | Chad Brown | 5-1 |
| Simplification | John Velazquez | Antonio Sano | 6-1 |
| Creative Minister | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Kenny McPeek | 8-1 |
| Secret Oath | Luis Saez | D. Wayne Lukas | 10-1 |
| Armagnac | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd Pletcher | 12-1 |
| Fenwick | Florent Geroux | Ian Wilkes | 15-1 |
| Happy Jack | Kendrick Carmouche | Doug O’Neill | 20-1 |
| Skippylongstocking | Paco Lopez | Saffie Joseph Jr. | 30-1 |
| Un Ojo | Junior Alvarado | Ricky Courville | 50-1 |
Factors Influencing Field Size
The number of horses competing in the Preakness Stakes varies from year to year, and several factors can influence the field size:
- Kentucky Derby Performance: The Preakness is the second leg of the Triple Crown, and horses that perform well in the Kentucky Derby tend to enter the Preakness. If multiple Derby contenders are in contention, it can lead to a large field.
- Injuries and Form: Injuries or subpar performances following the Kentucky Derby can sideline potential Preakness entries, reducing the field size.
- Trainer and Owner Preferences: Some trainers and owners may choose to skip the Preakness to rest their horses or focus on other races. This can impact the number of horses in the field.
- Field Restrictions: The Preakness has a limited field size of 14 horses. If more horses are entered than can fit, a selection process is used to determine the final field.
In recent years, the Preakness field size has typically ranged from 8 to 12 horses. The largest field in the modern era was in 2001, with 14 horses competing.
| Year | Field Size |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 9 |
Well there you have it, folks! Now you know the answer to the burning question of how many horses are racing in this year’s Preakness. Thanks for sticking with me through all the details. I hope it was an informative and enjoyable read. Make sure to check back later for more updates and insights into the world of horse racing. In the meantime, feel free to share this article with your fellow horse enthusiasts, or anyone else who might be curious about the Preakness.