Meta Description: Get ready for the 150th Preakness Stakes on May 17, 2025. Discover post time, top contenders like Journalism and Clever Again, odds, and how to watch live from Pimlico Race Course.
Table of Contents
- Introduction to the Preakness Stakes
- Date and Post Time
- Location: Pimlico Race Course
- Field of Contenders
- Top Contenders and Odds
- Notable Absence: Sovereignty
- How to Watch
- Betting Insights
- Historical Significance
- Conclusion
Introduction to the Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is the second leg of the American Triple Crown following the Kentucky Derby and ahead of the Belmont Stakes. The Preakness is run at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, and is an important horse racing event every year, bringing the best three-year-old Thoroughbred horses each spring.
Date and Post Time
- Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
- Post Time: Approximately 7:01 PM ET
- Race Distance: 1 3/16 miles (9.5 furlongs)
Pre-race coverage begins at 2:00 PM ET, leading up to the main event in the evening.
Location: Pimlico Race Course
As one of the oldest racetracks built in the United States back in 1870, Pimlico Race Course has a lot of history. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, Pimlico Race Course has had the Preakness Stakes since its start in 1873. The track has a long history with their dirt surface. The dirt track is tricky and provides challenges to all competitors.
Field of Contenders
The 2025 Preakness Stakes features a competitive field of nine horses:
| Post Position | Horse | Trainer | Odds |
| 1 | Goal Oriented | Bob Baffert | 6-1 |
| 2 | Journalism | Michael McCarthy | 8-5 |
| 3 | American Promise | D. Wayne Lukas | 15-1 |
| 4 | Heart of Honor | Jamie Osborne | 12-1 |
| 5 | Pay Billy | Michael Gorham | 20-1 |
| 6 | River Thames | Todd Pletcher | 9-2 |
| 7 | Sandman | Mark Casse | 4-1 |
| 8 | Clever Again | Steve Asmussen | 5-1 |
| 9 | Gosger | Brendan Walsh | 20-1 |
Top Contenders and Odds
- Journalism (8-5): Runner-up in the Kentucky Derby, Journalism is the morning-line favorite, showcasing consistent performance and strong speed figures.
- Sandman (4-1): Despite a seventh-place finish in the Derby, Sandman remains a strong contender with a powerful closing kick.
- River Thames (9-2): Known for his consistency and close finishes, River Thames is expected to be a formidable competitor.
- Clever Again (5-1): With a front-running style and impressive recent form, Clever Again could capitalize on Pimlico’s speed-favoring track.
Notable Absence: Sovereignty
Sovereignty, the Kentucky Derby winner, will miss the Preakness Stakes when trainer Bill Mott decided to give the colt a break in preparation for the Belmont Stakes. This means there will be no chance of a Triple Crown winner in 2025.
How to Watch
- TV Coverage: NBC will broadcast the event, with coverage starting at 2:00 PM ET.
- Streaming: Available on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.
- Location: Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland.
Betting Insights
Remember, it might also be worthwhile to think about exotic bets like trifecta and superfecta, especially with a long-shot candidate like Gosger (20-1), with the latest speed figures looking promising. It seems likely that either Journalism or Clever Again would be in trifecta or superfecta combinations, to also boost up payout potentials.
Historical Significance
The 2025 Preakness draw marks the 150th Preakness running—the significance is key in the history of American horse racing. The Preakness most represents the American spectacles of great performances, significant horses, and the fight for the Triple Crown.
Conclusion
Not only with a very strong and full field of contenders with the Derby winner, but in also the 150th rare occasion to watch the Preakness, it promises to be an exciting addition to history. If you are a betting person or even a casual fan, the 2023 Preakness stakes will create an amazing experience at Pimlico that encompasses competition, tradition, and the excitement of the sport.
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