An excellent field of nine sophomores will travel 1 3/16 miles over the Pimlico dirt in Saturday’s historic $2 million Preakness S. (G1). 

Preakness Stakes Picks

• #2 Journalism
• #3 American Promise
• #8 Clever Again
• #7 Sandman

Preakness Stakes Wagers

• $10 exacta 2 with 3,7,8
• $1 trifecta 2 with 3,7,8 with all
• $1 superfecta 2,3 with 2,3 with 7,8 with all

Preakness Stakes Contenders

#1 GOAL ORIENTED (6-1): Unbeaten Baffert pupil looked good in defeating allowance foes on the Derby undercard at Churchill Downs in his second lifetime appearance and will take a big class rise in the second leg of the Triple Crown. Not This Time colt has won from on the lead, and also off the pace, and the fine prospect put in a swift half-mile morning drill in advance of this start, too. Flavien Prat retains the ride. 

#2 JOURNALISM (8-5): Santa Anita Derby (G1) star was a strong runner-up in Louisville most recently and is the clear one to beat for conditioner Mike McCarthy. The son of Curlin gets a tricky draw near the rail for his local debut, but he is all class and has the versatility to work out a favorable trip with regular pilot Umberto Rispoli in the stirrups. 

#3 AMERICAN PROMISE (15-1): Virginia Derby hero endured a tough trip in the Kentucky Derby (G1) off the layoff and will show big improvement on Saturday. The Justify chestnut will be put into the race early under Nik Juarez, and I consider the colt to be a major factor at a big price while always prominent on Saturday. 

#4 HEART OF HONOR (12-1): Son of Honor A. P. has been first or second in each of his six career runs to date, led by a game second in the UAE Derby (G2) last time out. The Jamie Osborne trainee is proven at the distance, and he could factor against this crew with a step forward while making his U. S. debut. Saffie Osborne will take the reins once again. 

#5 PAY BILLY (20-1): Local hope is in a fine form cycle in advance of his stakes debut with tallies in the Private Terms S. and Federico Tesio S. in his last pair of outings. The Michael Gorham pupil seems like a good fit at the 1 3/16-mile voyage, but he must prove that he is capable of running at this level. Regular rider Raul Mena will have the son of Improbable stalking the pace from the start. 

#6 RIVER THAMES (9-2): Pletcher pupil won his first two races prior to coming home second in the Fountain of Youth S. (G2) and third in the Bluegrass S. (G1) as of late. Bay son of Maclean’s Music hasn’t done much wrong leading up to his Pimlico debut, and he will get first run on the deep-closing types turning for home, too. Irad will be in the silks. 

#7 SANDMAN (4-1): Arkansas Derby (G1) victor didn’t have a smooth voyage in Kentucky last time out and will hope for clear sailing from off the pace against this group. Mark Casse-trained son of Tapit will receive a strong pace to rally into and will be doing his best work inside the final furlong with John Velazquez accepting the mount. Tapit colt could be the one. 

#8 CLEVER AGAIN (5-1): Jose Ortiz opts to stick with this budding star from the barn of Steve Asmussen. Bay son of American Pharoah is two-for-two this campaign, led by a win in the Hot Springs S. at Oaklawn Park in his latest appearance, and the well-bred colt is surely moving in the right direction in advance of his first run in the graded stakes ranks. The Kentucky-bred will be in the mix from the opening bell at a fair price. 

#9 GOSGER (20-1): Nyquist colt didn’t topple a great field in the Lexington S. (G3) at Keeneland last time, but the improving prospect did it the right way for conditioner Brendan Walsh. The homebred has never run a bad one from three career outings to date, but he will have to get faster to overcome both the outside post and the class of this group. Luis Saez has the assignment.

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