The 150th edition of the Preakness Stakes takes center stage on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. As the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness typically draws massive attention—and this year is no different, even with the surprising absence of Sovereignty, the 2025 Kentucky Derby winner.
📅 When and Where to Watch
Post Time: 17th May 7:01 p.m. ET (Approximate)
TV Coverage:
- CNBC: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET
- NBC: 4 p.m. onward
- Live Streaming: Peacock TV
Whether you’re tuning in for the betting action or the pageantry, Saturday promises a full slate of racing and analysis. NBC Sports and Yahoo Sports are providing continuous live coverage throughout the day.
🏇 2025 Preakness Stakes Lineup & Odds
With just nine horses competing, the field is significantly smaller than the 20-horse lineup we saw at Churchill Downs. Here are the morning-line odds for each horse:
- Goal Oriented – 6-1
- Journalism – 8-5 (Betting favorite)
- American Promise – 15-1
- Heart of Honor – 12-1
- Pay Billy – 20-1
- River Thames – 9-2
- Sandman – 4-1
- Clever Again – 5-1
- Gosger – 20-1
According to Yahoo Sports, Journalism, a son of Curlin, remains the front-runner after finishing second in the Derby and winning the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby and two Grade 2 races earlier this year. He is trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by jockey Umberto Rispoli.
❌ No Sovereignty, No Triple Crown
The biggest story heading into the 2025 Preakness Stakes is the absence of Sovereignty, the Kentucky Derby champion. Owner Bill Farish and trainer Bill Mott decided to rest the colt, targeting the Belmont Stakes on June 7 instead.
According to Mike Rogers, EVP of 1/ST Racing, the decision was made in the horse’s best interest:
“Bill informed us they would point toward the Belmont Stakes.”
This move, though practical from a conditioning standpoint, has sparked new debate over the spacing of the Triple Crown schedule, as horses are no longer trained to race on two-week intervals.
Read the full editorial on Triple Crown reform
📊 Betting Insights
Handicappers are pointing to Journalism as a logical bet, especially given his track record. However, shorter odds mean lower returns. Sandman and River Thames also attract serious money for exotic wagers like exactas and trifectas.
Lane Gold, host of Kentucky Winners Circle, suggests pairing Journalism with Sandman and River Thames in multi-horse bets. He also recommends considering Gosger for longshot value.
🏆 Tradition Meets Change
While some purists argue that spacing out the Triple Crown races would dilute the difficulty of winning all three, others believe change is overdue. The last Triple Crown winner was Justify in 2018, and Sovereignty becomes the fourth Derby winner in the past seven years to skip the Preakness.
Yahoo Sports’ Kendall Baker and Jeff Tracy propose moving the Preakness to early June and the Belmont to July 4th weekend, which currently lacks a marquee sporting event.
🌹 Preakness Traditions Live On
Despite the changes and controversies, traditions like the Black-Eyed Susan blanket, crafted by florists earlier in the day, continue to shine. Expect live musical performances, fashion, and fanfare at the Pimlico infield, ensuring the race remains one of America’s most cherished sporting events.
📝 Final Thoughts
Though Sovereignty’s absence removes the possibility of a Triple Crown winner in 2025, the Preakness Stakes still offers elite horse racing and fierce competition. With Journalism leading a strong field, fans can expect an exciting showdown.
Follow the official Preakness website for real-time updates, entries, and full race-day coverage.
