I don't care how often they do it, if a horse wins the Derby fair and square, I think he should be the favorite. Everyone in the field was being asked to do something they never did before, so their past performances are not the primary issue. Besides, three year olds in May are still prone to make huge leaps forward. Rich Strike's Equibase numbers have been steadily climbing. Epicenter also ran a career best, and everything went his way, but still was bested. Taking all that into consideration, and adding that RS ran farther, I think the winner would be a deserving favorite, not for HOY, but for the Preakness. It's moot anyway because he's not running, which is a whole other matter..

Well unfortunately, he’s not going in the Preakness. I hope it doesn’t have anything to do with the political stuff that come up.

Yes. And the colt is skipping 2nd leg so the stat mention bumps up a notch..

I mentioned didn't think the colt's physiology was ready for a 2 week U turn.

I'm being kind when Dogs says the regular NYRA jockeys have a leg up on the Belmont mile and a half oval.

Kent Desormoux said the horses and the jockeys get lost out there 

I really don't think Rich Strike's closing needs - speed suicide up front suit him in the 2 turner...not even Tina Turner.

Grind it out slowly like D-Tara did.

And WADR..the first time winning rider in a Derby @ stupendous odds and on the lowest point draw in and has ridden colt in all races is.....at a disadvantage in what is his 2nd attempt to win a career graded race 

Not saying they are ducking the Preak..but highly unusual if the colt is sound. The biting could have been the colt found his MOJO and had more kill in the tank. Or distressed. His normal behavior and next day video leans to MOJO not distress.

?Why not go All In ?

on the fair and square the owners kinda proved the early odds in that they say the colt is Not More than Ready 

'In the last 25 years, horses that won the derby at over 30-1 that went on to win the Preakness:

Charismatic.  That’s it."

Chris Antley RIP was returning to riding following personal issues and the great Wayne D Lukas sought fit to give him his chance and a leg up ..So did I as key Delta.

A guy I used to work with had $200 on him to win.  

Yeah I had that Tri and didn't get by wheel .was key.

Political Stuff?Was he seen wearing a MAGA hat?

I wonder if Jack Christopher or Pappacap will go?  Here's Jack C's races:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5cvHTf2KNg

As rare as it is, I'm going to disagree with you on this one, Raes.....The morning line should be made as a predictor of the betting public.  I would have bet a rather princely sum :) that RS would not have been the favorite of the betting public.  Whether he should or not is a different issue.  Yes, he won the Derby impressively, but that's a different event, and that alone does not make one a deserving favorite.  His body of work prior was not as impressive as several others, and though they can improve greatly as 3 year olds, Epicenter is also improving and has a style more suited to the Preakness than RS.

Even though he is not running, I doubt that you would take RS over Epi at even odds for finishing better.  I know I certainly wouldn't.  I wouldn't take him over Early Voting either, and probably not the filly.