2025 Preakness Reflections: Journalism Earns Well-Deserved Classic Victory

The 150th edition of the Preakness S. (G1) provided us with an expected result with Journalism living up to his even-money status as the heavily backed favorite, but the second leg of the 2025 Triple Crown was anything but drama-free. Sandwiched between runners in early stretch, the fantastic son of Curlin somehow recovered and ran down a clear Gosger in the final yards in a pulsating finish at Pimlico Race Course. 

Second in the Kentucky Derby, the Michael McCarthy trainee was being ridden approaching the turn for home after saving ground on the inside to the top of the lane, but his momentum was stopped while in between runners trying to make his move. The standout colt eventually bullied his way to clear sailing in the late stretch and finished with a flurry en route to posting a half-length win under the wire beneath a courageous Umberto Rispoli. While Journalism didn’t nearly go to his knees like Afleet Alex did in the 2005 edition of the race, it surely did bring back memories of that occurrence. 

Gosger, who bagged the Lexington S. (G3) at Keeneland prior to the Preakness, outran his 15-1 odds in doing everything right but crossing the wire in first. The rapidly developing colt from the Brendan Walsh shedrow is an exciting three-year-old to follow as the season unfolds. Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Sandman ran his race when rallying for a clear third at Pimlico. While he is a touch below the absolute best in this crop, the gray son of Tapit is plenty good in his own right and will be worth keeping tabs on in the second half of the season, and beyond, for trainer Mark Casse. 

Goal Oriented, who was making just his third lifetime appearance in the Preakness, finished what I thought was a very good fourth despite his lack of seasoning. The Bob Baffert trainee had a tough trip when trading body blows with Journalism in the lane and will only benefit from the educational experience. He could be a very good one with expected progression going forward. 

Heart of Honor was left behind early after a poor break and looked hopeless for much of the race, but he unexpectedly rallied to be fifth in a commendable effort for trainer Jamie Osborne. I was impressed with his late energy and effort. River Thames had no excuses in my opinion, and while he ran Sovereignty to a photo in the Fountain of Youth (G2) and was a close third in the Blue Grass S. (G1), I feel that he is potentially more of a miler type, perhaps. Pay Billy will be fine with some class relief. I honestly have no idea what to make of American Promise – I expected more from him over the last two weeks. Clever Again, a horse whom many others and I fancied to run well, stopped abruptly after leading early and might be better suited to shorter voyages, or possibly the grass, in the future.

Ladies Day

Five of the 13 winners on the Preakness card were saddled by female trainers. Brittany Russell (Race 1), Susan Cooney (Race 2), Cherie DeVaux (Races 8 and 11), and Elizabeth Merryman (Race 9) all sent out winners. And tossing in the third-place finish from Desvio in the Dinner Party S. (G3) for Madison Meyers, I’d say the ladies had a very good day overall! 

Join us on June 7 for a rematch that will shake the stands. Many top Kentucky Derby contenders return for the Belmont S. to fight for the finish, including probable contender Journalism, winner of Preakness 150, and Sovereignty, winner of Derby 151. Who will stand in the winner's circle for Belmont?

Stay with us all throughout Belmont Day during stakes races as we bring you the latest horse racing news, live odds, expert picks, and more. It is sure to be an exciting day of racing!