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2025 Preakness Stakes Early Look

by Joey House - 5/9/2025

Preakness Stakes early preview

The 150th Preakness Stakes, scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, is poised to be a historic milestone in American horse racing. As the second leg of the Triple Crown, this 1 3/16-mile race for three-year-old thoroughbreds bridges the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, drawing global attention. This year's edition carries added significance as the final Preakness at the current Pimlico before a major reconstruction shifts the event to Laurel Park in 2026. With no Triple Crown contender, a deep field, and a festive atmosphere, the 150th running promises to deliver drama, tradition, and unforgettable moments.

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A Competitive Field Without a Triple Crown Hope

The Kentucky Derby winner, Sovereignty, will not compete in the Preakness, dashing hopes for a Triple Crown. Trainer Bill Mott opted to rest the colt after a minor injury, focusing on the Belmont Stakes. This decision reflects a growing trend, as only two Derby winners since Justify's 2018 Triple Crown have run in the Preakness, fueling debates about the grueling two-week gap between races. While Sovereignty's absence opens the door for new stars, it articulates the challenge of maintaining horse health in the modern Triple Crown schedule.

The Preakness field, set to be confirmed at the May 12 post-position draw, promises an exciting betting landscape. Journalism, the Kentucky Derby runner-up and early favorite, holds 5-2 odds. Trained by Michael McCarthy, the Curlin colt had won four consecutive races, including the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, before falling to Sovereignty at Churchill Downs. His strong closing speed aligns well with Pimlico's dirt track, which favors late runners. McCarthy, aiming for his first Preakness victory, is optimistic about Journalism's ability to handle different race paces.

At 5-1 odds, Rodriguez is another strong contender, trained by Bob Baffert, with seven Preakness wins. After a front-running victory in the Wood Memorial, Rodriguez missed the Kentucky Derby due to a foot bruise. Baffert's expertise in preparing horses for Pimlico positions Rodriguez as a threat, particularly if he establishes a favorable early pace. Expert Jody Demling, who accurately predicted the top three in the 2025 Derby and 10 of the last 20 Preakness winners, also points to Clever Again at 12-1. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the American Pharoah-sired colt has just three starts but impressed with a wire-to-wire win in the Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn Park. His 101-speed figure and Asmussen's two Preakness victories make him a compelling longshot.

Other horses to watch include Sandman (8-1), who finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby but showed promise in earlier graded stakes, and American Promise, a lightly raced colt who competed in the Derby but didn't place. Heart of Honor (30-1), coming off a run in the UAE Derby, and Gosger, a consistent performer with tactical speed, could also challenge for top spots. The final field will be a mix of proven contenders and emerging talents, sure to guarantee an exciting race.

A Historic Farewell to Pimlico

Pimlico opened in 1870 and has hosted racing legends like Secretariat, whose 1973 Preakness record of 1:53 remains unbroken, and fillies like Rachel Alexandra, victorious in 2009. The winner will receive a replica of the $30,000 Woodlawn Vase and a blanket of Viking poms painted to mimic Maryland's black-eyed Susan flower. Marking its 150th running, the Preakness also bids farewell to Pimlico's current layout before a $250 million renovation led by the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority, which took over in January. The event is celebrated with grandeur, expecting attendance to surpass last year's 46,163 and a betting handle nearing $100 million, second only to the Kentucky Derby. Black-Eyed Susan Day on May 16 sets a lively stage, headlined by the Grade II Black-Eyed Susan Stakes for top three-year-old fillies, complemented by competitive undercard races that draw enthusiastic crowds.

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