Rich Strike vs. Secret Oath Preakness Odds: An Epic Battle in the Making

Written by :

Don Shapiro

Published on :

9 May, 2022

It's the shock upset winner of the Kentucky Derby, Rich Strike, versus the Kentucky Oaks winning filly, Secret Oath, at this year's Preakness Stakes. Secret Oath's win was also a bit of an upset. This could be one for the ages and a potential record breaker for sportsbooks. Rich Strike promises a payout of $70 for every $10 bet or $700 on a $100 bet, Secret Oath pays 6-1 odds.

Rich Strike vs. Secret Oath

Remarkably neither of these two are favorites in the 2022 Preakness Stakes. That honor belongs to Epicenter at 3-1, followed by Zandon at 5-1.

The chestnut colt Rich Strike beat 4-1 favorite Epicenter by three-quarters of a length after charging up the rail in the final seconds.

The overhead view makes Rich Strike's comeback for the upset @KentuckyDerby win look even more incredible. #KyDerby | @ChurchillDowns pic.twitter.com/iDfkGVZS0O
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 8, 2022

His post position 20 start had only produced a single winner in the history of the Derby, Big Brown in 2008.

Rich Strike's Kentucky Derby win came only after he replaced Etheral Road, who had been scratched from the race on Friday.

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

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

But Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath is expected to be entered in the upcoming Preakness Stakes.

This conjurs up memories of another long shot winning the Kentucky Derby back in 2009, Mine That Bird, only to be beaten in the Preakness by filly sensation Rachel Alexandra.

SECRET OATH WIN THE LONGINES KENTUCKY OAKS! pic.twitter.com/rFU3pH6xdf
— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) May 6, 2022

Secret Oath had the best finish from the worst possible starting spot at this year's Kentucky Oaks. The filly charged from a five-wide pack to grab the lead from Yuugiri and held off favorite Nest by two lengths Friday in the 148th Oaks at Churchill Downs, giving the 86-year-old trainer D. Wayne Lukas his fifth Oaks win and first since 1990.

“Being in the one hole (post position), we didn’t have much choice on what to do,” said Lukas, who tied Woody Stephens for the most Oaks wins by a trainer. “I told (jockey) Luis (Saez) not to get too creative on the turn and make his move if he was going to get in position on the backside. When I saw him moving around the turn, I turned and hugged my wife and said, ‘here we go.’ It feels great.”

You can place early bets on the 2022 Preakness Stakes here.