Preakness Stakes 2025: Preview, Analysis, and Picks

This renewal of the 2nd leg of the Triple Crown is the 150th, but also the last as we know it. The course is due to be torn up and renovated, meaning that until that work is completed, the race will likely be run at Laurel Park. The Preakness Stakes has a stacked field that you’ll need all the picks and analysis contained within this Degens Only Preview!

The race has cut up considerably, as has become a recent trend. Connections in the modern era don’t like to run their horses in such gruelling races with little recovery time in between. The merits of this, and of changing the timings of the Triple Crown races to give its prestige a much-needed boost, are a conversation for horsemen on another day. We’re here to pick winners.

Having won the Kentucky Derby, Sovereignty is one of those that will not go in the Preakness, preferring a return in the Belmont Stakes. This means that Derby 2nd Journalism is by far the highest profile runner here. You really have two options: you’re either all in on Journalism and get creative with him in exotic bets, or you throw him out completely and search amongst the long shots.

Preakness Stakes 2025: Preview, Analysis, and Picks

The Race

Saturday, May 17
Pimlico Racecourse
1m 3/16
7.01 EST, NBC Sports

Preakness Stakes Contenders

Goal Oriented – 8/1

The only Bob Baffert inmate in the field here, Goal Oriented, looks like the pace setter. Having drawn the inside stall, Flavien Prat should gun this one to the front. He’s there to play Catch Me If You Can. He’s the only undefeated horse in the race, although he hasn’t faced opposition at this level. I don’t think he’s good enough.

Journalism – 9/10

A justifiably short-priced favorite on the form of that Derby 2nd. It’s hard to pick holes in that performance. Journalism was just second best on the day. Connections of this horse feel that the sloppy track was a factor in the horse being beaten. Being drawn in 2 is not a problem. Unless one of his opponents improves dramatically this time around, he’ll take all the beating. If you want to find a negative, it can only be the quick turnaround between the Derby and Preakness. Huge chance.

American Promise – 16/1

Trained by legend D Wayne Lukas, American Promise ran 16th in the Derby. The horse didn’t get a clean start or a clear run when push came to shove, but I’m still not sure he’s good enough. Lukas trained the winner of the Preakness in 2024 with Seize the Grey.

Heart of Honour – 25/1

Globetrotting challenger who started in the UK before running his last five races in Dubai. The father-daughter team of trainer Jamie and jockey Saffie Osborne sent this horse out to finish 2nd in the UAE Derby. However, that form hasn’t worked out at all, and it isn’t difficult to pass him over.

Pay Billy – 66/1

Trainer Michael Graham has over 1400 career wins to his name, but is unlikely to add to that with this one. He runs here because he can, having accrued enough points in qualifying races. Hopefully, his connections have a lovely day out.

River Tames – 11/2

An interesting entry. River Tames was actually eligible to run in the Derby, but connections chose to swerve that in order to come straight here. They feel that the distance suited them better. His form lines are pretty solid. He was only beaten a neck by Derby winner Sovereignty in the Fountain of Youth stakes, and 3rd behind Burnham Square in the BlueGrass. The Preakness Stakes is a race that trainer Todd Pletcher has never won. He has a chance with this one.

Sandman – 7/1

Started as the 2nd favorite for the Derby, having been the subject of sustained social media money due to his celebrity owner. There were no real excuses for his 7th-place finish that day. It wasn’t a bad run, but it also didn’t make you think he has enough to overcome Journalism this time. Previously won the Arkansas Derby, but I don’t want to get involved this time.

Clever Again – 7/1

Quite an intriguing runner, having beaten a Grade 1 winner in the past. This winner of the Hot Springs stakes has only had three career starts, so improvement wouldn’t be a huge surprise. He also has decent speed figures that don’t put him too far behind Journalism in the 2025 Preakness Stakes, and he’s a worthwhile choice among the picks presented in this preview.

Gosger – 25/1

Won the Lexington Stakes last time out, although the form of that win can be questioned. Another with only three career starts that is open to taking a step forward. Trainer Brendan Walsh believes this is entirely possible. The horse has a nice progressive profile, and I can see him getting involved at the business end.

Selections

There’s no point ruling out Journalism just for the sake of it. It’s true that Derby winners haven’t fared well here recently. However, the connections of Journalism have thought long and hard about bringing him here, and they think he’ll be fine. River Tames is a horse that interests me greatly. On true form lines, he’s not far away from the fav. He comes here fresher than those that ran at Churchill Downs. I’ll be using him in exactas. Gosger is a horse whose running style and profile I really like. I give him a chance to round out the places at a nice price.

Exacta 2-6
Trifecta 2-6-9

Good Luck! This preview dives deep into the horses, and we can tell you that these picks and analysis are here for all of Degen Nation to win big at the 2025 Preakness Stakes.