Docs Website

53 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu

Best Exacta Bets for the Preakness Stakes 2025

by Joey House - 5/16/2025

Best exacta bets for the Preakness Stakes

The 150th Preakness Stakes, scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, is set to be an exciting race with a nine-horse field. With Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty skipping the event to prepare for the Belmont Stakes, the door is open for contenders like Derby runner-up Journalism (8-5) to shine. Exacta bets, which involve picking the first two horses to finish in exact order, offer bettors a chance at solid payouts in this compact but competitive field. Below, we outline the top exacta picks for the race, factoring in post positions (PP), horse form, and race dynamics, with horses listed in numerical order of their post positions.

Get sports picks for every league and nearly every matchup on Doc’s free picks page.

Understanding Exacta Betting

An exacta bet requires selecting the first- and second-place finishers in precise order. For example, a $5 exacta box on Journalism (PP 2) and Clever Again (PP 8) pay if they finish first and second in either order. Exactas yield higher returns than win bets, especially with longshots, but demand accuracy. A boxed exacta, allowing the two horses to finish in either order, doubles the cost but boosts winning chances. We'll focus on boxed exactas for value.

Preakness Stakes Field in Post Position Order

Here's a brief overview of the field for the Preakness Stakes, listed in numerical order by post position, with morning-line odds, trainers, jockeys, and key details:

  1. PP 1: Goal Oriented (6-1) – Trainer: Bob Baffert, Jockey: Flavien Prat. Undefeated in two starts, including a Churchill Downs allowance win on Derby day. His early speed and inside post suit Pimlico, but inexperience is a concern. Baffert holds a record eight Preakness wins.
  2. PP 2: Journalism (8-5) – Trainer: Michael McCarthy, Jockey: Umberto Rispoli. The favorite, second in the Kentucky Derby, with wins in the San Felipe (G2) and Santa Anita Derby (G1). His closing speed and favorable post make him a top pick.
  3. PP 3: American Promise (15-1) – Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas, Jockey: Nik Juarez. He faded to 16th in the Derby but has Lukas's seven Preakness wins behind him. Likely to press the pace but needs improvement.
  4. PP 4: Heart of Honor (12-1) – Trainer: Michael E. Gorham, Jockey: Raul Mena. He won the Federico Tesio to earn his spot. He is an international colt with a stalking style, but this is a step up in class.
  5. PP 5: Pay Billy (20-1) – Trainer: Michael E. Gorham, Jockey: Raul Mena. A longshot with limited stakes experience. Likely to trail early and struggle against this field.
  6. PP 6: River Thames (9-2) – Trainer: Todd Pletcher, Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Third in the Blue Grass (G1) and second to Sovereignty in the Fountain of Youth (G2). His stalking style and Ortiz's skill make him a contender.
  7. PP 7: Sandman (4-1) – Trainer: Mark Casse, Jockey: John Velazquez. Won the Arkansas Derby (G1) and rallied to seventh in the Derby. A closer who benefits from a fast pace, with Casse's 2019 Preakness win adding confidence.
  8. PP 8: Clever Again (5-1) – Trainer: Steve Asmussen, Jockey: José Ortiz. Sired by American Pharoah, he won the Hot Springs Stakes with a 108 Equibase Speed Figure. His front-running style and Asmussen's two Preakness wins make him dangerous.
  9. PP 9: Gosger (20-1) – Trainer: Brendan Walsh, Jockey: Luis Saez. Won the Lexington Stakes (G3) and has tactical speed. A longshot with upset potential, especially if the track is wet.

Race Dynamics and Pace Analysis

The Preakness Stakes, at 1 3/16 miles, often favors horses near the front, with 14 of the last 15 winners leading or stalking early. Post position 6 has produced 17 winners historically, while inside posts (1–3) offer shorter paths to the first turn. This year's pace should be moderate, with Clever Again (PP 8) and Goal Oriented (PP 1) likely setting or pressing the tempo. Journalism (PP 2) and Sandman (PP 7), both closers, need a steady pace to unleash their late runs, while River Thames (PP 6) and Gosger (PP 9) can stalk effectively. The nine-horse field reduces traffic issues compared to the Derby, favoring tactical positioning.

Top Exacta Picks for the Preakness Stakes

Here are the best exacta bets, with horses listed by post position order where relevant:

  1. Journalism (PP 2) and Clever Again (PP 8) ($5 Exacta Box)
    1. Why It Works: Journalism's class, with four graded stakes wins and a Derby second, pairs with Clever Again's front-running style and speed figures. Journalism's post 2 allows Rispoli to save ground and close late, while Clever Again can control the pace from post 8. Asmussen's Preakness pedigree adds confidence.
  2. Clever Again (PP 8) and Journalism (PP 2) ($5 Exacta Box)
    1. Why It Works: This boxes Clever Again's pace-setting ability with Journalism's reliable closing speed. Clever Again's Hot Springs Stakes rout (four lengths) shows he can wire the field from post 8, while Journalism ensures a strong finish from post 2.
  3. Journalism (PP 2) and Sandman (PP 7) ($5 Exacta Box)
    1. Why It Works: This pairs Derby veterans with Journalism's tactical speed from post 2, complementing Sandman's deep-closing style from post 7. Sandman's Arkansas Derby win, and Kentucky Derby rally (18th to 7th) show he can hit the board in a smaller field.
  4. Clever Again (PP 8) and Gosger (PP 9) ($5 Exacta Box)
    1. Why It Works: This pairs Clever Again's pace-setting ability with Gosger's longshot upside. Clever Again can lead from post 8, while Gosger's Lexington Stakes win and Saez's aggressive riding could see him rally from post 9, especially on a wet track.

Get expert sports picks on every game, or if you want our very best bet premium picks by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.

 

Most Recent Preakness Stakes Handicapping

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers