Epicenter set as favorite for the Preakness Stakes

Kentucky Derby runnerup Epicenter was set Monday as the 6-5 morning line favorite for the Preakness Stakes.

Rich Strike, the surprise Derby winner at 80-1, is not in the field of nine for Saturday’s $1.65 million race. Rich Strike’s owner felt the two-week turnaround did not give the colt enough rest and plans to enter him in the Belmont.

Kicking off the Preakness draw at a Baltimorearea restaurant, emcee Britney Eurton talked about Rich Strike pulling off “one of the greatest upsets in sports history. Though we might not have the Kentucky Derby winner, there is no shortage of talented runners,” she said.

Rich Strike’s absence clouds the second jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown and makes this the second Preakness in four years without the Derby winner.

This time, Steve Asmussen-trained Epicenter, who drew the No. 8 post, and fourth-place finisher Simplification, are the only horses back for the Preakness from the Derby, which Rich Strike won with a furious charge down the stretch.

Simplification is 6-1 and drew the rail spot with the No. 1 post position and jockey John Velazquez set to ride.

“At first I thought, not good, but Johnny V is so smart,” trainer Antonio Sano said. “He’ll make the decision if he wants to take the option outside.”

Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath is the third betting choice on the morning line at 9-2 after Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas opted to enter the filly in the Preakness. She drew post position No. 4.

Early Voting is the 7-2 second choice after skipping the Derby. Trainer Chad Brown targeted the Preakness for Early Voting, who drew the No. 5 post position.

While Taiba and Messier aren’t in the Preakness, there is a Bob Baffert presence in Armagnac, a late entry whom the two-time Triple Crown winning trainer transferred to Tim Yakteen. Baffert is serving a suspension in Kentucky for medication violations and would not have been allowed to saddle any horses in the Preakness. No. 7 Armagnac is 12-1.

Added to the field at the extra cost of $150,000, No. 2 Creative Minister is 101. No. 9 Skippylongstocking is 20-1, Doug O’Neilltrained No. 6 Happy Jack is 30-1 and longshot No. 3 Fenwick is 50-1.

MARK HUMPHREY — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Epicenter, who finished second at the Kentucky Derby, was named the 6-5morning line favorite for Saturday’s Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.