When is Preakness Stakes 2022? Will shocking Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike run in Triple Crown’s 2nd leg?

Rich Strike, coming off his shocking victory in the Kentucky Derby, is this year’s candidate for horse racing’s Triple Crown.

The 80-1 shot, who blitzed past favorites Epicenter and Zandon in the final 100 yards to win on Saturday, now will get ready for the second leg of an unlikely journey to immortality: The Preakness Stakes on May 21 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

Trainer Eric Reed hasn’t committed to running in the race yet, but it’s unlikely he’ll pass after making history and $1.86 million.

According to the Sporting News:

In the 147 previous runnings of the Kentucky Derby, only 36 horses went on to win the Preakness Stakes. Thirteen of those horses went on to win the Triple Crown, while the other 23 came up short at the Belmont.

The last two horses to win the first two legs of the Triple Crown — Justify and American Pharoah — each went on to complete the Triple Crown by winning the Belmont. Of the 13 horses to win the Triple Crown, just two have done it since 1978.

“I about fell down in the paddock when he hit the wire,” Reed said. “I about passed out.”

Rich Strike paid $163.60 Only Donerail in 1913 had a higher payout of $184.90.

“What a crazy Derby,” said trainer Kenny McPeek, whose horses finished eighth and ninth.

Rich Strike wasn’t even in the Derby until Friday when Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas scratched Ethereal Road, making room for the chestnut colt who had just two previous wins in his career.

“We found out about 30 seconds before the deadline on Friday,” owner Rick Dawson said. “It put us in the race and really we always felt if we just got in we’ve got a shot.”

Rich Strike ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.61. After taking a bite out of his much costlier competition, he playfully chomped on the pony guiding him to the winner’s circle.

“I can’t believe it after Epicenter’s effort,” said losing trainer Steve Asmussen, who fell to 0-for-24 in the Derby. “I got beat by the horse that just got in.”

Jockey Sonny Leon and Rich Strike had just two horses beat in the early going. Leon eventually guided his mount between horses and to the inside rail. Rich Strike made a deft move around Messier in the stretch and went right back to the rail intent on picking off Epicenter and Zandon.

“When I was in the last 70 yards, I said, ‘I think I got this race,’” Leon said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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