Introduction to the 2025 Preakness Stakes Competitors

Nine equines are set to grace the track in Baltimore this Saturday for the 2025 iteration of the Preakness Stakes, forming part of horse racing's prestigious Triple Crown.

Highlights of the 2025 Preakness Stakes Entrants

The horse named Journalism, who finished second in the Kentucky Derby earlier this month, is the current frontrunner for the Preakness Stakes, the 150th contest scheduled in Baltimore.

In the drawing for positions, Journalism was assigned odds of 8-5, as determined during Monday's event at a nearby brewery, but these numbers are expected to fluctuate as live bets are placed up until the race starting time, set around 7:01 p.m. EDT on Saturday.

Absence of the Derby Winner

Absent from the starting lineup is the Kentucky Derby winner, dashing any Triple Crown ambitions for this year, which encompasses the Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes in New York slated for next month.

According to Sovereignty's trainer, the colt will bypass the race to focus on the Belmont Stakes. Up in Saratoga, the Derby champion remains in training leading up to the third leg of the Triple Crown, while New York's Belmont Park goes through extensive renovations.

Performance Recap and Training

Journalism concluded the Derby just 1 1/2 lengths behind the leader Sovereignty, narrowly ahead of Baeza who secured third place. Previously undefeated, Journalism had achieved four straight wins, mostly in graded-stakes races on the California circuit, including triumphant runs in the Santa Anita Derby, the San Felipe Stakes, and the Los Alamitos Futurity Stakes.

The horse will once again be partnered by jockey Umberto Rispoli, who piloted Journalism through these California victories and the recent Derby—this will mark his inaugural Preakness appearance.

Journalism's trainer notes the potential for a rematch with Sovereignty at the Belmont should the performance on Saturday warrant it. 'Given his form as a two-year-old across three races in seven weeks, he remains a strong contender,' McCarthy reflected mid-week.

Other Competitors and their Credentials

Sandman and American Promise also took part in the Derby, with Sandman finishing sixth and American Promise placed sixteenth among nineteen competitors.

As of the morning line, Sandman is marked at 4-1 odds, closely rivaling Journalism. This gray colt had an impressive win at the Arkansas Derby after earning a third-place finish in the Rebel Stakes and second in the Southwest Stakes earlier in the year.

Guided by veteran jockey John Velazquez, who has competed in the Preakness on thirteen prior occasions, Sandman seeks another big win following a previous victory with him in 2023.

American Promise was assigned 15-1 odds. Notably, the chestnut colt counts the Virginia Derby as one of his two victories this season. Nik Juarez, returning to take charge of American Promise, aims to enhance his Preakness debut following prior experience at the Derby.

River Thames follows at 9-2 odds, with the horse having secured two victories this year, closely pursuing Sovereignty at Florida's Fountain of Youth Stakes, and placing third at the Blue Grass Stakes.

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. maneuvers River Thames. It is his seventh effort at winning the Preakness, having come near the title twice before.

Clever Again, a descendant of 2015's Triple Crown champion, holds 5-1 odds. This horse claimed victories in two races this season, specifically in the Hot Springs Stakes at Arkansas.

Jose Ortiz takes the reins on Clever Again. His recent successes in the Preakness include a win in 2022, orchestrated alongside trainer Steve Asmussen, who eyes another win after a lengthy campaign.

Goal Oriented's 6-1 odds provide trainer Bob Baffert another opportunity to extend his record of Preakness wins. With victories comprising part of the Derby's undercard events, Flavien Prat will steer the horse towards new heights, backed by his past experience winning the Preakness in 2021.

Heart of Honor, given 12-1 odds, not only presents a promising challenge but could rewrite history if jockey Saffie Osborne succeeds. It has been decades since a female jockey claimed a Triple Crown race, back when Julie Krone triumphed in the Belmont Stakes in 1993.

Both Gosger and Pay Billy are placed at 20-1 on the morning line. Gosger arrives from a remarkable victory at the Lexington Stakes, while Pay Billy boasts a successful string of four wins at Maryland's Laurel Park this season.