With 2022 Kentucky Derby-winner Rich Strike withdrawing from the field for the Preakness Stakes, the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown was wide open for the taking.
In just 1:54.54, Early Voting went out a nabbed it with ease.
A rather slow pace allowed jockey Jose Ortiz to hang back in the middle of the pack before taking charge with Early Voting (5-1) just before the final turn. When the pack broke down the stretch, Early Voting successfully pulled ahead with a three-lengths lead and couldn’t be caught.
The victory on Saturday seemingly sets up an epic matchup next month at the Belmont Stakes as the last leg of the Triple Crown is expected to pit the Derby and Preakness winners against each other in New York.
Epicenter (6-5) entered the week as one of the favorites after nearly pulling off the win at Churchill Downs before Rich Strike completed the second-largest upset in Kentucky Derby history at 80-1 odds. He made a late charge to take home second place while Creative Minister (10-1) grabbed third.
Early Voting 5-1 ✅
1:54.54 wins it at the 147th Preaknesspic.twitter.com/3FS27Dr0Qs
— BetRivers (@BetRivers) May 21, 2022
EARLY VOTING TO WIN THE PREAKNESS!
With hot and fast conditions, he wins the race by a length and a half.#Preakness147 | @PreaknessStakes pic.twitter.com/Nx6H0QsupD
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 21, 2022
An emotional win for @jose93_ortiz as he claims his first #Preakness victory aboard #EarlyVoting for trainer @TheRealChadCBr1. #Preakness147 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ZCT8VxH9OG
— Preakness Stakes (@PreaknessStakes) May 21, 2022
Race Results
- Early Voting ($13.40/$4.60/$3.60)
- Epicenter (N/A, $2.80/$2.40)
- Creative Minister (N/A, N/A, $4.20)
(Based on $2 bet)
$2.00 Exacta: $25.80
$1.00 Trifecta: $66.50
$1.00 Superfecta: $162.90
Purse Payouts
- Early Voting $900,000
- Epicenter $300,000
- Creative Minister $165,000
