Preakness Stakes 2025

 

Pimlico Race Track
RACE 13 – 7:01 PM
Preakness S. (Grade I)
Purse - $2,000,000
Distance - One And 3/16ths  Mile
Surface – Dirt

1 – Goal Oriented
2 – Journalism                               
3 –American Promise
4 – Heart of Honor
5 – Pay Billy
6 – River Thames                             
7 – Sandman
8 – Clever Again
9 - Gosger

Without the Kentucky Derby Winner Sovereignty in this race – I think most of America would consider this The “Pointless” Stakes….and I wouldn’t blame them at all!

I’ve written and erased about five paragraphs attempting
to say the following – Horse Racing simply needs to do a better job of engaging the American Public and possible fans – I believe the casual fan only has two questions at this time – Will there be a successful Triple Crown this year OR when will the Kentucky Derby Champion run again?

Your disappointing answers:

1^st There will be no Triple Crown attempt this year
2^nd We don’t know when Sovereignty will run again.

With that…..let’s take a look at the field.

#1 Goal Oriented  - The 6-1 horse has Flavien Prat aboard and has two victories in two lifetime outings. This will be his first attempt against serious talent – and he’s never raced further than 1 mile 1/16^th – if this horse has the room he may attempt to set the pace and go wire to wire.

#2 Journalism – the runner-up in the Kentucky Derby (who was the favorite to win in that race) is the heavy favorite at 8/5 odds. This horse had 4 straight wins coming into the Kentucky Derby and is certainly the horse with the best resume in the field –unless this horse is absolutely gassed from running two weeks ago – this is his race to lose.

#3 American Promise – Finished a VERY disappointing 16^th in the Kentucky Derby – however this horse has 10 lifetime races and I think his 15-1 odds are interesting. Nik Juarez will be aboard again having been his rider in his last two races.

#4 Heart of Honor – travels from the UAE to take a shot at an American Graded Stakes race. This horse has 2 wins and 4 places in his lifetime 6 races and he’s seen some serious talent. I’m not a fan of overseas horses in their first race in the US – however the talent and size of the field is certainly lesser here than in the Kentucky Derby. Going off at 12-1 is very intriguing.

#5 Pay Billy – Going off at 20-1 this horse has 4 wins in 8 lifetime races – however this will be a jump in class for him --- but with rider Raul Mena this horse has 1 place and 4 wins in 5 attempts. I like that ownership is rolling the dice in this one!

After writing about Sandman
I'll have the Spiderman theme
in my head all day!

#6 River Thames – 9/2 odds for a horse that finished 3^rd in the Bluegrass Stakes. 2 Wins, 1 Place and 1 Show in 4 lifetime races. I have no idea what they think this horse is near three times better with odds than Heart of Honor who has actually beaten really good horses?

#7 Sandman – finished a very disappointing 7^th in the Kentucky Derby – I’ll be the first one to tell you I have sour grapes about this horse because I went between he and Sovereignty to finish out my Kentucky Derby bets….and I went with Sandman --- a case of don’t hate the player hate the game. This horse won the Arkansas Derby and couldn’t make the late run in the mud at Churchhill Downs.

I would also favor this horse over River of Thames.

#8 Clever Again – In three lifetime races this horse has 2 Wins and 1 Place – and both wins were with Jose Ortiz aboard. He’s going off at 5-1 – I think the odds are too low for a horse that hasn’t really beaten anyone in three races – what’s interesting to me is compare him to the horse on his right:

#9 Gosger – a 20-1 horse with 2 Wins and 1 Place who recently won the Lexington Stakes (G3) – granted he DID win that race with Jose Ortiz aboard and will have Luis Saez on board for the first time – I appreciate that a different rider can make a difference – but I’m not sure Clever Again should be considered “That” much of a favorite over this horse.

I believe #1 Goal Oriented and #8 Clever Again will set the early pace – from what I’ve seen out of Goal Oriented he will do very well taking the rail and he’s also a very patient horse.

Strangely Sensitive Cheetah 
appreciates being both
Goal Oriented and Clever Again 

I believe #2 Journalism, #4 Heart of Honor, #6 River Thames and #7 Sandman will huddle in the middle of the pack until we get close or into the 2^nd turn.

Coming out of the 2^nd turn I believe Clever Again may begin to fade against the rest of the pack – as the middle pack picks up steam.

Goal Oriented will come out of the 2^nd turn and have gained some ground – and I believe Journalism will overtake Goal Oriented by a head – Sandman, Heart of Honor and River Thames will fight it out for the show.

Closing Speed likes:  Journalism, Goal Oriented, Sandman

$1 Box Trifecta – 1,2,4,7 = $24
$1 Box Exacta – 1,2,4,7 = $24

From a bettors standpoint – I think this is an excellent opportunity to place bets on Pick 3 bets – meaning you’re betting on Races 11 / 12 / 13 or 12/13/14.

Race 11; Horses 3/6/7/8
Race 12: Horses 6/8/10/13
Race 13: Journalism #2
Race 14: Horses 2/6/8/9

A Pick 3 will cost you $16