Admittedly some luster has come off the Preakness Stakes, and some would say that's just the way the Thoroughbred racing business has evolved. It seems fewer owners and trainers who participated in the Kentucky Derby want to turn around and run two weeks later. A glaring example this year is Rich Strike, the 80-1 Derby winner who is skipping the Preakness to aim toward the Belmont Stakes instead.

There are just nine entrants for this year's event, which is scheduled for 6:45 PM ET at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. The purse is $1.5 million. The distance is a mile and three-sixteenths, a step back from the Derby route (1-1/4 miles).

Preakness Stakes Odds -- Here are the numbers....

At BetOnline, here are the odds on the race, along with post positions:

8 Epicenter +100
5 Early Voting +575
4 Secret Oath +600
1 Simplification +800
2 Creative Minister +1200
9 Skippylongstocking +2000
6 Happy Jack +3300
7 Armagnac +4000
3 Fenwick +5000

Preakness Stakes Odds -- And as we take a brief look at the competitors:

8 Epicenter +100

A worthy favorite, although we're not sure even money is justified. This is the biggest money winner in the field at $1.6 million. Ran a hell of a race in the Derby but was run down right at the end in stunning fashion by Rich Strike. Won the Louisiana Derby at a mile and a sixteenth.

5 Early Voting +575

Won the Grade 3 Withers in muddy conditions, and was second in the Wood Memorial, caught at the wire by Mo Donegal. Did not run in the Derby, as trainers Chad Brown pointed him toward this race specifically. He did the same thing with Cloud Computing in 2016, and won it. Well-rested (April 22 was last race). Likely to try to get out front and will try to wire the field. Jose Ortiz comes off Simplification to ride here.

4 Secret Oath +600

The outstanding winner of the Kentucky Oaks and thus the only Grade 1 winner in this field. Trained by the legendary D.Wayne Lukas. Winner of four of her last five. But the filly's speed has been questioned. Is she fast enough to run with the boys? Challenged in the Arkansas Derby, running third as Cyberknife won. Daughter of Arrogate, winner of the Dubai World Cup, Pegasus World Cup and Breeders Cup Classic. Will probably be looking to be coming strong from behind.

1 Simplification +800

Ran fourth in the Derby, exhibiting a nice closing kick, but not as good as Rich Strike. Was the first to commit to this field. The owner (Tami Bobo) and trainer (Antonio Sano) love this distance for him. Won the Fountain of Youth Stakes and was third in the Florida Derby. Will press the pace, trying to stay near the leaders in more of a tactical run.

2 Creative Minister +1200

Did not race until March 22. In his next race, broke maiden. Won an allowance race on Derby day at Churchill Downs, impressively. Then his connections supplemented him into this race. So there are only three races on his resume, the same as Early Voting, which has two stakes races to his credit.

9 Skippylongstocking +2000

His speed figures were rather unimpressive until the Wood Memorial, so it can be argued that there has been only one truly outstanding outing. And that was a third place finish. But the bloodlines are pretty strong - his sire (Exaggerator) won the 2016 Preakness, and grandsire Curlin won the Preakness as well as the Breeders Cup Classic in 2007.

6 Happy Jack +3300

Finished third in the Santa Anita Derby, but was no factor in the Kentucky Derby (14th). Doesn't have a lot of early speed and isn't noted for a closing kick. So you have to wonder what there really is to like. Tyler Gaffalione rides him for the first time.

7 Armagnac +4000

This is another of those horses that was trained by Bob Baffert and then turned over to his assistant, Tim Yakteen. Finished fourth in the Santa Anita Derby, behind Taiba and Messier (also trained by Yakteen) as well as Happy Jack. Coming in off a win in an optional claimer. Son of Quality Road. Should be looking to be close to the pace early.

3 Fenwick +5000

This is our choice to finish last, as BetOnline has him posted at +250. There's a lot of justification for that. Fenwick is the low money winner in the field at $53,840. Was unsuccessful four times at breaking maiden, and missed the board completely in three of those races. In his only stakes appearance, finished eleventh in the Blue Grass, 36 lengths off the pace.

Preakness Stakes Odds -- Our conclusion?

We'll take a shot with Early Voting for the win, and use him with Epicenter, Simplification and Skippylongstocking in some exotics.

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