2025 Preakness Stakes odds, predictions, contenders, horses

• Goal Oriented
  • PRO: Grand-looking colt has bright future for eight-time winning Preakness barn. 
  • CON: Enters extremely light on experience with only two starts since early April.
• Journalism
  • PRO: Ran big race to finish second in Kentucky Derby (G1) as favorite; class edge. 
  • CON: Quick two-week turnaround the likely culprit if he runs below par.
• American Promise
  • PRO: Barn has won this seven times, including last year with longshot Seize the Grey. 
  • CON: Virginia Derby win two back an outlier on form this year.
• Heart of Honor
  • PRO: Gem of consistency with two wins and four seconds from six starters. 
  • CON: Loss in UAE Derby (G2) not flattered by winner’s poor Kentucky Derby showing.
• Pay Billy
  • PRO: Locally based colt has won three of last four, including Federico Tesio S. 
  • CON: Doesn’t appear fast enough on paper to garner more than a minor share.
• River Thames
  • PRO: Just missed in Fountain of Youth (G2) to Sovereignty two back.
  • CON: Lacked a strong closing kick in Blue Grass (G1) and might prefer shorter trip.
• Sandman
  • PRO: Deep closing kick blunted by off track at Churchill; rebound candidate. 
  • CON: In need of quick pace but might not see Arkansas Derby (G1)-like fractions here.
• Clever Again
  • PRO: Connections have targeted this race a while and he enters fresh.
  • CON: Speedy type figures to get pressure while racing farther than he has before.
• Gosger
  • PRO: Won Lexington (G3) in a fashion to suggest he will continue to improve. 
  • CON: Speed ratings are relatively light; must turn in another career best.

Expert Pick

An exacta with #2 Journalism on top of #3 American Promise and #8 Clever Again in the 2025 Preakness Stakes is the Best Bet of the Week.

$30 Budget

• $5 trifecta key 2 with 3,7,8 ($30)

$60 Budget

• $.50-cent superfecta 2,3 with 2,3,7,8 with 2,3,7,8 with all ($36)
• $.50-cent superfecta 2 with 3,7,8 with 1,3,6,7,8 with 1,3,4,6,7,8 ($24)

$90 Budget

• $.50-cent superfecta key 2 with 1,3,4,6,7,8 ($60)
• $5 trifecta key 2 with 3,7,8 ($30)