150th Preakness Stakes Odds, Predictions, and How To Watch

Welcome to our betting preview for the 2025 Preakness Stakes! Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or just tuning in for the horse racing excitement, we’ve got everything you need to prep for the second jewel of the Triple Crown. After we nailed the Kentucky Derby winner, we’re excited to dig into the Preakness field and make our bets on the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes.

Where Is The Preakness?

The Preakness Stakes takes place at the historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.

When Is The Preakness?

The 2025 Preakness Stakes is set for Saturday, May 17th. True to tradition, it falls two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, which usually keeps the Triple Crown buzz alive. This year is different in that regard, however, as the Derby winner won’t run at Pimlico this weekend.

What Time Is The Preakness?

Post time is scheduled for approximately 7:01 p.m. ET. Tune in early for full coverage of the undercard and race-day festivities.

Who Won The Preakness 2024?

The Preakness 2024 was won by Bright Future, who closed strong down the stretch to seal a thrilling finish.

The Preakness Stakes Odds

Check out the latest Preakness Stakes odds:

This year’s field brings a solid mix of front-runners and closers, with Journalism leading the pack at 8-5. Sandman (4-1), Clever Again (5-1), Goal Oriented (6-1), and River Thames (9-2) round out the top tier.

Think you know which thoroughbred will pull off the win? Our best handicappers can help you sharpen your picks.

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Will There Be A Run At The Triple Crown?

Not this year. The 2025 Kentucky Derby winner, Sovereignty, is skipping the Preakness to rest and prep for a summer run at the Belmont Stakes. That leaves the door wide open for a fresh face to snag the spotlight at Pimlico.

Preakness Stakes Favorites

The following horses are considered favorites to win the 150th running of The Preakness Stakes:

Journalism (8-5)

Journalism comes into the Preakness Stakes with something to prove—and everything in his corner to get it done. Journalism was favored to win the Kentucky Derby, and he’s favored again ahead of the Preakness.

After a gutsy runner-up finish in the mud-soaked Kentucky Derby, he’s back for redemption in the second leg of the Triple Crown. The 8-5 morning-line favorite will break from post 2 under jockey Umberto Rispoli, giving him a prime spot to work a clean, tactical trip. With Derby winner Sovereignty opting out, the path to the winner’s circle is wide open—and Journalism has the resume to take it.

The Michael McCarthy-trained colt had a four-race win streak heading into the Derby, including victories in the San Felipe and Santa Anita Derby. He was the 3-1 Derby favorite for a reason, and despite a rough start and wide trip, he showed heart by rallying late and only losing by 1½ lengths. Now, with a smaller Preakness field and a shorter distance (1 3/16 miles), he’s set up to fire his best shot yet without the traffic trouble he encountered at Churchill Downs.

What sets Journalism apart is his mental toughness and adaptability. He’s already shown he can handle adversity, and with McCarthy traveling to Louisville just to watch his final gallop before entry, the team clearly believes he’s ready to peak. McCarthy even said Journalism “came with a big run around the turn and was still finishing at the wire.” That type of stamina and grit is exactly what it takes to win at Pimlico.

With Sovereignty out and no Triple Crown on the line, Journalism becomes the headline act. He’s the most accomplished horse in the field and looks primed to add “Preakness winner” to his growing legacy. If you’re looking for a bet that blends class, experience, and current form, Journalism at 8-5 is as strong a pick as you’ll find.

Sandman (4-1)

Sandman enters the 2025 Preakness Stakes with a shot at revenge and the kind of resume that deserves serious respect. Though he finished a disappointing seventh in the Kentucky Derby, it was a deeper, more chaotic field, and the Preakness offers a cleaner, less crowded slate. At 4-1 odds, Sandman stands as the third favorite—a testament to his prior performances, including a win in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby. Now, he’s got a smaller field, a shorter distance, and a Hall of Fame jockey in John Velazquez ready to make the most of it.

Trained by Mark Casse, who won the Preakness in 2019 with War of Will, Sandman has the right mix of experience and firepower behind him. This gray/roan son of Tapit was a $1.2 million buy and has already banked over $1.25 million on the track. He’s built like a grinder, with a closing style that’s perfect for picking off tired horses down the stretch, especially in a field that might see a hot early pace.

What also makes Sandman dangerous is his adaptability. He’s run on different tracks and in tough company, and Casse says he’s never looked better. Originally, the team considered skipping the Preakness in favor of the Belmont, but Sandman has been telling them he’s ready now.

With top-tier talent, proven stamina, and connections that know how to win at Pimlico, Sandman is a major threat. Don’t let the Derby result fool you—he’s got the tools to close strong and upset the favorites when it matters most. If you’re backing a horse with grit, class, and serious upside, Sandman’s your play.

Clever Again (5-1)

Clever Again enters the Preakness Stakes with a live shot at 5-1 odds and the pedigree to go the distance. A son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and out of a Galileo mare, his bloodlines scream stamina and class. His recent win in the Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn Park was no fluke—he dominated a Grade 1 winner by four lengths and posted a top Equibase speed figure of 108. With Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen in his corner and Jose Ortiz in the irons, Clever Again is positioned for a breakout moment on the national stage.

Though lightly raced, he’s got a 3-2-1-0 record and hasn’t finished worse than second in any start. His only loss came in his debut, and he’s improved rapidly since then. Asmussen has been carefully pointing him toward the Preakness, and he’s noted the added distance should play to his strength.

Clever Again has been working steadily at Churchill Downs with sharp times, most recently breezing 5 furlongs in 1:01.60 on May 6. His frontrunning style means he won’t have to deal with traffic—if he breaks clean, he’ll be right near the lead and able to control the pace. That could be a huge tactical advantage in a field that may lack a true speedster, especially with Sovereignty skipping the race.

In a race where no one horse towers above the rest, Clever Again is a classic “wise guy” pick—backed by impressive figures and elite breeding. At 5-1, he offers great value and fits the mold of recent Preakness winners who stepped up when given their first real test. Don’t be shocked if this colt wires the field.

Goal Oriented (6-1)

Goal Oriented enters the 2025 Preakness Stakes among the favorites at 6-1, and for good reason. The colt is undefeated in two starts and comes off a sharp win in an allowance optional claiming race at Churchill Downs on May 3. That performance wasn’t just a win—it was a display of poise and speed, showing he’s ready for a step up in class. Backed by the powerhouse duo of trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Flavien Prat, Goal Oriented is in the best hands possible to make a big statement at Pimlico.

This Kentucky-bred son of Not This Time has flashed serious potential from the start. He broke his maiden in April at Santa Anita, earning an impressive 91 Beyer Speed Figure. His victory on Derby Day undercard wasn’t just a fluke—it proved he can handle pressure and a big-race atmosphere. Given Baffert’s track record in the Preakness, including a win with National Treasure in 2023, Goal Oriented has a historical advantage, too.

Physically, he’s built for this kind of grind. A dark bay with power and stamina, Goal Oriented looks like a colt that can rate just off the pace or press early if needed. His running style is versatile, and with the tactical ability Prat brings to the saddle, expect him to be in the right spot when it counts. If he gets a clean trip, he’s got the gears to separate down the stretch.

And with Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty skipping the Preakness, the field is wide open for a new hero. Goal Oriented is perfectly positioned to seize that opportunity. At 6-1, he’s a deserving favorite who checks every box—form, connections, pedigree, and timing. If you’re looking for a bet that balances value and confidence, Goal Oriented is your horse.

River Thames (9-2)

River Thames might be flying slightly under the radar at 9-2 odds, but this lightly raced colt has the makings of a serious Preakness threat. Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, River Thames has faced some of the best in the division—and held his own. In the Blue Grass Stakes, he finished a strong third, just a length behind the winner in a race that included Kentucky Derby champ Sovereignty. That’s as solid a prep as any horse in the field can claim.

He enters the Preakness off just four career starts, but his progression has been sharp and consistent. After breaking his maiden, he scored an allowance win and followed that up with back-to-back near-misses in Grade 2 and Grade 1 company. Pletcher opted to skip the Derby to give River Thames time to mature, and the decision could pay off handsomely at Pimlico. This colt has been training smartly, breezing 4 furlongs in 48.25 at Belmont on May 10, suggesting he’s ready to peak at the right time.

River Thames’ running style also suits the Preakness layout. As a stalker, he can sit just off the early pace and strike when it counts—perfect for the 1 3/16-mile configuration. His inside post (No. 6) gives him the chance to save ground and avoid traffic. Plus, with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the irons, you’ve got one of the game’s best tactical riders making the key decisions when the gates open.

Given his pedigree, connections, and rising form, River Thames is more than just a top-three contender—he’s a live win threat. He’s fresh, improving, and battle-tested against elite competition. Don’t sleep on him. If the pace gets hot up front, this colt could be the one rolling late to snatch the blanket of Black-Eyed Susans.

Top Longshot Horses In The Preakness

The following horses are considered long shots to win the Preakness Stakes:

• American Promise (15-1) – If the pace melts down, this closer could pick up the pieces.
• Pay Billy (20-1) – Unpredictable but speedy. One to watch for exotic plays.
• Gosger (20-1) – Needs a perfect trip, but has shown flashes of potential.

The Preakness Stakes Predictions

My favorite bet for the 2025 Preakness Stakes is a win bet on Clever Again at 5-1. Among a tightly bunched group of contenders, Clever Again offers the most upside at his odds. He has the pedigree—by American Pharoah out of a Galileo mare—and the speed figures to match any horse in the field, with a 108 Equibase top. He’s also proven he can dominate stakes competition, crushing a Grade 1 winner by four lengths in the Hot Springs Stakes. He’s got tactical speed, he’s sharp off the layoff, and he’s trained by Steve Asmussen, who knows how to prep a horse for the Preakness.

What seals the deal for me is his running style and post position. Breaking from post 8, Clever Again should be able to secure a forward spot without much early pressure. If the pace is moderate—and with only one true frontrunner in the mix—it sets up perfectly for him to take control or sit just off the lead. Combine that with four strong works leading up to the race, and you’ve got a colt who’s physically ready and well-positioned to cash at a great price. He’s not just a value play—he’s a serious win contender.

Bet: Clever Again (+500)

The Best Preakness Stakes Bets

Check out our best Preakness Stakes bets:

• Win Bet: Clever Again (5-1) – Too much talent to ignore.
• Exacta: Clever Again over Journalism – A high-reward combo if Clever Again finishes strong.
• Trifecta: Clever Again / Sandman / River Thames – Covers a few of the top contenders with real winning potential.

Think you have the winning ticket? Make sure to check the odds from the top sports betting sites, follow the form, and keep your bets sharp. Happy Preakness week!

The Preakness Stakes Winners

Check out the most recent Preakness Stakes winners: