Andrew Wilsher
When is the 2025 Preakness Stakes Race?
The Preakness Stakes is on Saturday, May 17, at Pimlico racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland.
2025 Preakness Stakes Post Time
Post time for the 2025 Preakness Stakes is 7:01 pm ET.
You can bet on our Preakness Stakes pick on Goal Oriented with FanDuel Racing. And if you’re new to the racebook, even better! New users can secure a no-sweat first bet on the Preakness Stakes or any race at Pimlico up to $500. All you have to do is click here to sign up now, or if you’re from California or Florida, make sure you click this link to get started!
Preakness Stakes Odds – Who is Favorite to Win the Preakness Stakes in 2025?
The current betting favorite for the 2025 Preakness Stakes is the Michael McCarthy-trained Journalism, who is available at 8-5 odds and was also the favorite for the Kentucky Derby 2 weeks ago, when he finished 2nd to Sovereignty. Close behind him is Sandman at 4-1, River Thames at 9-2, Clever Again at 5-1 and Goal Oriented at 6-1, with those odds courtesy of FanDuel Racing.
- Journalism 8-5
- Sandman 4-1
- River Thames 9-2
- Clever Again 5-1
- Goal Oriented 6-1
- Heart Of Honor 12-1
- American Promise 15-1
- Pay Billy 20-1
- Gosger 20-1
Find out the best horse racing betting sites ahead of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico this weekend!
Preakness Stakes 2025 Horses and Runner-by-Runner Guide
There are 9 horses declared to run in the Preakness Stakes. Below is the name and number of each horse, as well as a quick guide to how they might perform from our horse racing expert.
1 Goal Oriented (6-1)
Goal Oriented landed a narrow success in an allowance optional claimer at Churchill Downs (sloppy track) 2 weeks ago upped to 1m½f. He is on a hat-trick after his last win and nicely bred (by Not This Time). His stable is performing well of late and he should have every chance on his first attempt at a big race.
2 Journalism (8-5)
Won a Grade 2 in December and took the Santa Anita Derby 42 days ago. Journalism finished ahead of Sandman and American Promise when runner-up (beaten 1½l, sloppy track) in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs 2 weeks ago. He’s an attractive contender and could be there at the finish once again.
3 American Promise (15-1)
American Promise had problems at the start (bumped, Churchill Downs, sloppy track) behind 2 of these when tailed off in the Kentucky Derby 14 days ago. He won a Grade 3 in March and has secured 2 wins from his last 5. He is passed over with a number of his rivals in good form.
4 Heart Of Honor (12-1)
Heart Of Honor was in fantastic form on the Dirt in UAE this winter, winning 2 conditions races over 1m before finishing 2nd 3 times in Listed and Graded company, most recently when a nose 2nd to Admire Daytona in the Group 2 UAE Derby (1m1½f), picking up plenty of prize-money in the process. It will be interesting to see where that form stands in this field but unlike many British raiders he is proven on Dirt.
5 Pay Billy (20-1)
Pay Billy is going for a hat-trick after a narrow success in a stakes race at Laurel Park 4 weeks ago. I couldn’t be confident about him on his first attempt at a big race.
6 River Thames (9-2)
River Thames was 3rd but only beaten less than a length 5 weeks ago in a Grade 1 at Keeneland. He has made an impressive start to his career with 2 wins from 4 starts and has to be respected.
7 Sandman (4-1)
Sandman managed 3 wins in his last 7 outings but was well beaten in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on a sloppy track 14 days ago. Regardless, he remains a key player in this race.
8 Clever Again (5-1)
Clever Again has won 2 of his 3 career runs and got the job done by 4l at Oaklawn Park over 1m 48 days ago in a stakes race. He has to be considered on that form.
9 Gosger (20-1)
Gosger is a winner of 2 of his 3 runs to date and is related to Grade 1 winner Harvey’s Lil Goil. He was last seen landing the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland last month, but despite that Keeneland success it is not hard to turn elsewhere.
2025 Preakness Stakes Picks, Predictions & Best Bets: Goal Oriented (6-1)
GOAL ORIENTED is strongly fancied to come out on top and is my Preakness best bet. He is thriving at present and possesses a perfect record. Clever Again should be looked at while Journalism was held up in traffic last time, and Sandman poses a serious threat to Goal Oriented.
You can bet on our Preakness Stakes pick on Goal Oriented with FanDuel Racing. And if you’re new to the racebook, even better! New users can secure a no-sweat first bet on the Preakness Stakes or any race at Pimlico up to $500. All you have to do is click here to sign up now, or if you’re from California or Florida, make sure you click this link to get started!
