The second leg of the Triple Crown has arrived as the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes takes place on Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.
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May 14, 2025; Baltimore, MD, USA; Preakness Stakes entry, Journalism breezes during morning workouts at Pimlico Race Course. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
The Preakness always embraces its crazy atmosphere, and today’s no exception. When handicapping this race, based on past Preakness trends, what some are looking for in an ideal Preakness contender are horses with break out or front running speed, as well as finding who can be close to the pace with an outside half of the field post position.
A champion will be crowned.
Let’s get #Preakness150 started! #ThisIsMaryland pic.twitter.com/fM9z4A90P6
— Preakness Stakes (@PreaknessStakes) May 17, 2025
Proven favorites:
2.) Journalism – (ML 8-5) – Journalism is one of those rare, talented horses that might be tired after the Kentucky Derby. It’s hard for me to throw him out. It wouldn’t surprise me if he fell though. He is the best of the field on paper, and the morning odds show that. I fully expect him to hit the board, but him winning this race isn’t a certainty.
6.) River Thames – (ML 9-2) – Todd Pletcher has an intriguing horse. River Thames was very tenacious in his run in the Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes, where he was just edged out by Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty. River Thames skipped the derby to focus on the Preakness.
Legitimate contenders:
1.) Goal Oriented – (ML 6-1) – Goal Oriented has shown that he has improved from race to race. Bob Baffert looks to see if his horse can have another great outing, as they know he can run with the best of them. Will the two-week turnover hurt his chances? Only time will tell.
8.) Clever Again – (ML 5-1) – Steve Asmussen’s Clever Again had a 101 Beyer speed figure in the Hot Springs at Oaklawn. With the distance not being a concern, his talent could have him in the exotics and much much more.
May 12, 2025; Baltimore, MD, USA; A general view of the finish line at Pimlico Race Course. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Saturday’s storylines and longshots:
5.) Pay Billy – (ML 20-1) – The local hope has won the last four of his last five starts. It’s a big step up in class, but he is in good form and will need to show an increase in speed.
9.) Gosger – (ML 20-1) – He will have to improve a lot to show that he has the speed, but the distance could work for him. He has a lot of upside and could show that on Saturday, as there is a chance he could hit the board.
Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty will not run in the Preakness, as he is now the fifth horse in the last seven years to sit out after a Derby victory.
There have been a lot of excuses for why Sandman didn’t run well in the Kentucky Derby, though they aren’t very credible, as he was cleraly outpaced by more talented horses. Fading Sandman again in the Preakness might be the move, as his late spurt style might not fit in this race.
PREAKNESS PREDICTIONS:
8-2-6-1
It’s hard to toss out Journalism again, though he is beatable. Wouldn’t surprise me if he runs away with it, but racing again so soon after the Kentucky Derby could have him slide. Sandman didn’t impress in the Derby; excuses were made though it will be hard to do so today as well. Clever Again, River Thames, and Goal Oriented are on the board, with Clever Again on top to edge out Journalism. As much as it would be nice to have Pay Billy and Gosger in any exotics, they could have a chance to run, but it is doubtful with the talent in this race.
Welcome to the party, Journalism!#Preakness150 | #ThisIsMaryland pic.twitter.com/DHewzAgcJ9
— Preakness Stakes (@PreaknessStakes) May 13, 2025
Pimlico will host the likes of Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher, D. Wayne Lukas, Steve Asmussen, and many more as they all look for the glory in the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes!
May 12, 2025; Baltimore, MD, USA; A general view of the signage representing the 150 running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks and Arizona Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
