2025 Preakness Stakes winner: Journalism (even-money) wins the 150th Preakness

Twenty years after Afleet Alex recovered from near-disaster to win the Preakness (G1), even-money favorite Journalism escaped from perilously tight quarters in Saturday’s renewal at Pimlico, and just caught the 15-1 Gosger in the nick of time. 

Journalism, runner-up as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby (G1), appeared bound for another tough loss in the middle jewel of Triple Crown. Settled off the pace from post 2, jockey Umberto Rispoli was asking Journalism to gain ground on the far turn, only to get strung up in traffic. 

Gosger, who had been tracking pacesetter Clever Again, made a bold bid for glory. By the time Journalism muscled his way into the clear, pushing a weakening Clever Again and Goal Oriented aside, Gosger had built up a daylight lead down the stretch. 

But the favorite rallied furiously to collar Gosger in the shadow of the post. After completing 1 3/16 miles in 1:55.47, Journalism had to survive a stewards’ inquiry into his barging into the lane. His loyalists were soon relieved by their decision to let the order of finish stand, and he returned $4.

Sandman checked in third, followed by Goal Oriented. British shipper Heart of Honor rounded out the top five. Next came River Thames, Pay Billy, American Promise, and Clever Again. 

Journalism’s trainer, Michael McCarthy, was winning his second Preakness, after Rombauer romped in 2021. Sire Curlin became the first Preakness victor to sire two Preakness winners. His first, Exaggerator (2016), turned the tables on that year’s Derby champion, Nyquist, who happens to be the sire of Gosger.

The 2025 Preakness therefore offered an echo of 2016. This time, a son of Curlin beat a son of Nyquist. In a further twist, Journalism is out of the Grade 2-winning Mopotism, by Nyquist’s own sire, Uncle Mo.

Campaigned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, breeder Don Alberto Stable, Robert V. LaPenta, Elayne Stables 5, and the Coolmore principals, Journalism commanded $825,000 as a Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling. The bay sports a mark of 7-5-1-1, including the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), San Felipe (G2), and Santa Anita Derby (G1).

The June 7 Belmont (G1) promises to serve up a fantastic rematch between the winners of the first two jewels, as Journalism will likely try to exact revenge on Derby hero Sovereignty.