BALTIMORE, Md., May 15, 2025 — The 150th Preakness Stakes, the second leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown, will unfold on Saturday, May 17, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, featuring a nine-horse field led by Journalism at 8-5 odds. With a $2 million purse and the iconic Woodlawn Vase at stake, this milestone race marks the final running at the current Pimlico before its planned reconstruction, alongside a week-long Preakness Festival celebrating Maryland’s equine heritage.
The post position draw, held Monday, May 12, established Journalism, the Kentucky Derby runner-up, as the morning-line favorite from post No. 2. Trained by Michael McCarthy, who won the 2021 Preakness with Rombauer, Journalism brings a record of four wins in six starts, including the Santa Anita Derby. Sandman, at 4-1 odds from a post No. 7, and Clever Again, at 5-1 from post No. 8, follow as top contenders. Other entries include River Thames (9-2, post No. 6), Goal Oriented (6-1, post No. 1), American Promise (15-1, post No. 3), Heart of Honor (15-1, post No. 4), and longshots Pay Billy and Gosger (20-1, posts No. 5 and No. 9). Post time is 7:01 p.m. EDT, with coverage on NBC and Peacock starting at 4 p.m.
No Triple Crown is possible this year, as Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty will skip the Preakness for the Belmont Stakes on June 7. Only three Derby runners—Journalism, Sandman, and American Promise—will compete, joined by six horses making their Triple Crown debuts. Bob Baffert, with a record eight Preakness wins, fields Goal Oriented, while D. Wayne Lukas, with seven victories, trains American Promise. The 1 3/16-mile race on Pimlico’s dirt track promises a competitive showdown.
This year’s Preakness stands out for its sesquicentennial celebration and the inaugural Preakness Festival, a week-long event elevating the race into a cultural and community spectacle. Festivities began May 10 with the George “Spider” Anderson Music and Arts Festival in Park Heights, honoring the first African American jockey to win the Preakness. On May 11, Maryland Horse Farm Tours offered free family visits to equine facilities. A Governor’s Open Golf Tournament followed on May 12, and Jock’n Blues, a music event, took place May 13. The festival continues with the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes on Friday, May 16, and culminates with Preakness Day, featuring an Infield Fan Zone hosted by Baltimore Ravens legend Ray Lewis. Live music, local food, and “Preak Weeks” promotions round out the experience, drawing sports and entertainment fans alike.
Historically, the Preakness, first run in 1873, predates the Kentucky Derby by two years, though it paused from 1891 to 1893. Named after the 1870 Dinner Party Stakes winner, it became the Triple Crown’s middle jewel in 1931, typically held two weeks after the Derby. The race has crowned 73 betting favorites, with Justify in 2018 as the last. Six fillies, including Swiss Skydiver in 2020, and seven geldings, most recently Funny Cide in 2003, have won. The Woodlawn Vase, crafted by Tiffany & Co. in 1860, is valued at over $4 million, with a $30,000 replica awarded to the winner’s team. Post position No. 6, occupied by River Thames this year, has produced 17 winners since 1909, while No. 14 has never yielded a champion.
The 150th running is distinct for several reasons. It marks the final Preakness at the existing Pimlico before a major overhaul, with the 2026 race expected to shift to Laurel Park, located between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The expanded festival, a first in the race’s history, transforms the event into a week-long celebration, blending racing with Maryland’s cultural and culinary offerings. The absence of Sovereignty opens the field, with Journalism’s favoritism tempered by the two-week turnaround, a challenge for modern horses unaccustomed to short rest. Sandman, a fan favorite owned partly by influencer Griffin Johnson, and Clever Again, sired by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, add intrigue with their potential to upset.
Pimlico, nicknamed “Old Hilltop,” has hosted the Preakness since its inception, save for 1890 at Morris Park. The race’s 140,237 attendance record, set in 2017, reflects its draw, with last year’s handle reaching $98.8 million. The 2024 Preakness saw Seize the Grey, trained by Lukas, win at 9-1 odds, denying Derby winner Mystik Dan a Triple Crown bid. This year’s field, while lacking a Derby champion, includes graded-stakes winners and emerging talents, ensuring a competitive race.
Betting interest is high, with FanDuel Racing offering a $500 first-bet refund for new users. Post position trends suggest inside posts, like Journalism’s No. 2, benefit from a shorter path to the first turn, though outside posts have historically struggled. Handicappers note Journalism’s class, with three stakes wins, but some, like analyst Michelle Yu, favor longshots over the favorite due to his short odds and recent exertion. Clever Again, with a 101 Beyer Speed Figure, and Gosger, ridden by Luis Saez, are cited as potential surprises.
The Preakness’s legacy includes 105 Kentucky-bred winners and 10 sired by past champions. Trainers like Baffert and Lukas dominate, while Michael McCarthy seeks a second victory. Jockeys Umberto Rispoli, Irad Ortiz Jr., and John Velazquez bring star power. The race’s outcome could shape the 3-year-old championship, with Journalism poised to solidify his standing.
As Baltimore prepares for this historic weekend, the Preakness Festival amplifies the event’s appeal, merging tradition with modern entertainment. From farm tours to live performances, the celebration honors Maryland’s equine roots while looking forward to Pimlico’s future. With a competitive field and a vibrant atmosphere, the 150th Preakness Stakes promises to be a memorable chapter in racing history.
