Study Guide: 2025 Preakness Stakes

May 13, 2025 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Journalism winning the 2025 Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

A talented nine-horse field featuring three Kentucky Derby (G1) starters is slated to contest Saturday’s $2 million Preakness (G1).

The second leg of the Triple Crown is held over 1 3/16 miles at Pimlico. Let’s meet the field:

Goal Oriented

Goal Oriented wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 2
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan
Breeder: Runnymede Farm and CWC Investment 2
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Flavien Prat

Top Speed Rating: (104) when winning a Churchill Downs allowance optional claimer.
Total Earnings: $111,960

Sire: Not This Time
Dam: Bizzy Caroline
Color: Dark bay/brown

Goal Oriented is undefeated in two starts for trainer Bob Baffert, who has won the Preakness a record eight times. The promising colt earned a strong 104 Brisnet Speed rating when wiring a 1 1/16-mile $125,000 allowance optional claimer on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs. But the Preakness is a longer and tougher race—can Goal Oriented handle the step up in class and distance?

Journalism

Journalism winning the 2025 Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

Start(s): 6
Wins: 4
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert V. LaPenta, Elayne Stables 5, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, and Derrick Smith
Breeder: Don Alberto Corporation
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli

Top Speed Rating: (108) when winning the Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita.
Total Earnings: $1,638,880

Sire: Curlin
Dam: Mopotism
Color: Bay

Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Journalism ran strongly as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby (G1), finishing second by 1 1/2 lengths despite running into early traffic trouble. With three straight triple-digit Brisnet Speed ratings under his belt, Journalism is the fastest horse in the Preakness field and the runner to beat if he gets a clean trip from post 2.

SOVEREIGNTY WINS THE KENTUCKY DERBY! 🌹

Bill Mott trains and @JuniorandKellyA was aboard for @godolphin! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/wOzqOFVRkb

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) May 3, 2025

American Promise

American Promise wins the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs. (Photo by Coady Media / Credit to Lauren Johnson)

Start(s): 10
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: BC Stables
Breeder: Candy Meadows
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Jockey: Nik Juarez

Top Speed Rating: (105) when winning the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs.
Total Earnings: $444,874

Sire: Justify
Dam: Tapella
Color: Chestnut

American Promise tired to finish 16th in the Kentucky Derby after sticking close to a hot pace. Previously a 7 3/4-length winner of the Virginia Derby, American Promise runs best when able to set or press the pace, which could be tricky in this speed-packed Preakness field.

Heart of Honor

Admire Daytona (inside) edges Heart of Honor in the UAE Derby (Photo by Dubai Racing Club)

Start(s): 6
Wins: 2
Place: 4
Show: 0

Owner: Jim And Claire Limited
Breeder: David Redvers Bloodstock
Trainer: Jamie Osborne
Jockey: Saffie Osborne

Top Speed Rating: N/A
Total Earnings: $340,949

Sire: Honor A. P.
Dam: Ruby Love
Color: Dark bay/brown

Heart of Honor put up a good fight in the UAE Derby (G2), closing ground to finish second by a nose against Admire Daytona. But Admire Daytona returned to finish last in the Kentucky Derby, so it remains to be seen how Heart of Honor will stack up in his first U.S. start.

Pay Billy

Pay Billy. (Photo by Maryland Jockey Club)

Start(s): 8
Wins: 4
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: RKTN Racing
Breeder: WinStar Farm
Trainer: Michael Gorham
Jockey: Raul Mena

Top Speed Rating: (97) when winning the Private Terms S. at Laurel Park.
Total Earnings: $234,475

Sire: Improbable
Dam: Harlington’s Rose
Color: Bay

Pay Billy has starred on the local Maryland circuit, winning the Private Terms S. and Federico Tesio S. in succession. However, the waters get deeper in the Preakness, and stepping up in class is a question mark.

River Thames

River Thames wins at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

Start(s): 4
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: WinStar Farm, CHC, Pantofel Stable, and Wachtel Stable
Breeder: CTR Stables
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (99) when finishing second in the Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $261,900

Sire: Maclean’s Music
Dam: Proportionality
Color: Bay

River Thames performed admirably on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, finishing second in the Fountain of Youth (G2) to Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty and third by less than one length in the Blue Grass (G1). River Thames clearly has talent, but his pedigree and performances to date suggest stretching out over 1 3/16 miles in the Preakness may stretch the limits of his stamina.

Sandman

Sandman wins at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 9
Wins: 3
Place: 1
Show: 2

Owner: D. J. Stable, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, and CJ Stables
Breeder: Lothenbach Stables
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: John Velazquez

Top Speed Rating: (101) when winning the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park.
Total Earnings: $1,254,595

Sire: Tapit
Dam: Distorted Music
Color: Gray/roan

After capitalizing on a pace meltdown to win the Arkansas Derby (G1) in decisive fashion, Sandman closed only mildly to finish seventh in the Kentucky Derby, his first start over a sloppy track. With rain forecast for Pimlico this week, the track condition on Saturday may influence Sandman’s Preakness chances. It’s possible he’s better over dry footing.

Clever Again

Clever Again wins at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 3
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, and Derrick Smith
Breeder: Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Top Speed Rating: (99) when winning the Hot Springs S. at Oaklawn Park.
Total Earnings: $198,400

Sire: American Pharoah
Dam: Flattering
Color: Bay

Clever Again was much the best in the one-mile Hot Springs S. at Oaklawn Park last time out, leading all the way to defeat Grade 1 winner Gaming by four lengths. Clever Again will have to deal with some talented pace rivals in the Preakness, but his pedigree suggests he’ll appreciate 1 3/16 miles, and this promising colt may have enough speed and stamina to handle a hot pace and still factor down the homestretch.

Gosger

Gosger wins the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 3
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Harvey A. Clarke Racing Stables
Breeder: Harvey A. Clarke Racing Stable
Trainer: Brendan Walsh
Jockey: Luis Saez

Top Speed Rating: (93) when winning the Lexington (G3) at Keeneland.
Total Earnings: $292,200

Sire: Nyquist
Dam: Gloria S
Color: Gray/roan

Gosger has improved quickly since his December debut and exits a two-length triumph in the Lexington (G3) at Keeneland. He’s bred to relish 1 3/16 miles, but will need to improve upon his career-best 93 Brisnet Speed rating to challenge tougher foes in the Preakness.