SANTA ANITA ADMISSION GATES OPEN AT 7:15 A.M. ON PREAKNESS DAY, SATURDAY; POST TIME FOR ‘MIDDLE JEWEL’ IS AT 4:01 PT
FANS REMINDED THAT MEMORIAL DAY, MONDAY, MAY 30, IS ALSO DOLLAR DAY AT SANTA ANITA
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 19, 2022)–Admission gates will open early this Saturday, Preakness Stakes Day at Santa Anita at 7:15 a.m. in order to accommodate wagering on a sizeable undercard from Pimlico Race Course as the racing world focuses on the middle jewel in racing’s Triple Crown.
Although Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike has opted to skip the 147th running of the Preakness, interest in the middle jewel remains high, as the Steve Asmussen-trained Epicenter, second in the Derby, looms as the 6-5 morning line favorite in a field of nine sophomores going 1 3/16 miles.
Legendary Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas helps to ensure this year’s Preakness is must-see TV, as he’ll send out the brilliant filly Secret Oath from post position four. Listed at 9-2 on the Preakness morning line, Secret Oath, who comes off a big win versus fillies in the Kentucky Oaks and faces males for the second time, will be ridden by Luis Saez.
Two Santa Anita-based colts, Armagnac and Happy Jack, will hope to make their presence felt. Armagnac, breaking from post position seven is listed at 12-1 with Irad Ortiz, Jr. and is trained by Tim Yakteen. Happy Jack, breaking from post six with Tyler Gaffalione, is conditioned by Doug O’Neill and has been installed at 30-1.
Looking ahead to next weekend, Santa Anita will present 11 stakes over the three-day Memorial Day holiday, with three Grade I stakes, the Hollywood Gold Cup, the Shoemaker Mile and the Gamely Stakes offered on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30.
Memorial Day is also Dollar Day, with $1 beers, sodas and $2 hot dogs offered throughout the day. Additionally, Santa Anita’s Infield Carnival will return May 28, 29 and 30, with a Ferris Wheel and a number of other rides, a super slide, fun house and much more. Fans are encouraged to get their Santa Anita Memorial Day Weekend Infield Carnival tickets at santaanita.com/events.
PREAKNESS STAKES DAY AT SANTA ANITA TIMELINE & MENU
–7:15 a.m. Admission Gates Open for Simulcast Wagering
–9 a.m. Infield Area Opens, with Family Fun Zone, which includes Pony Rides, Inflatable Jumpers, Face Painting and more.
–9 a.m. FrontRunner Restaurant Opens for Food Service & Simulcast Wagering
–1 p.m. First Post Time for 10-Race Card at Santa Anita
–4:01 p.m. 147th PREAKNESS STAKES FROM PIMLICO RACE COURSE
–6 p.m. $75,000 Mizdirection Stakes, Fillies & Mares at 6 ½ Furlongs on Hillside Turf
For additional information regarding Preakness Stakes Day at Santa Anita this Saturday, or racing and events over the three-day Memorial Day Weekend, May 28, 29 and 30, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.
