The 150th running of the Preakness Stakes (G1) at historic Pimlico Race Course promises an exciting renewal of the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown. Though Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty skips this leg, a competitive and talent-rich field of 10 sophomores will line up in Baltimore, headlined by Journalism, the Derby runner-up, who is poised to claim redemption in a race he appears to own on paper.
Trained by Michael W. McCarthy Journalism ran a commendable second behind Sovereignty in the Derby and brings top-class credentials to Pimlico. The Santa Anita Derby winner has never taken a step backward, and with Sovereignty out of the equation, he is the clear one to beat. A good trip from the inside and his natural ability to sit off the pace before pouncing make him a strong favorite. A repeat of any of his last three performances likely wins this race.
Sandman, the Arkansas Derby (G1) champion, was caught wide and shuffled back in the Derby but retains serious upside. His late kick and smaller field should help him find a cleaner trip. With John Velazquez aboard, expect Sandman to save ground early and unleash his closing run late.
Clever Again is the wildcard with both speed and untapped potential. The Steve Asmussen trainee has only raced three times but has improved each time out. A tactical colt with positional speed and a freshness edge over the Derby returnees, he could make his mark if he takes another step forward. Regular rider Jose Ortiz stays aboard, signaling confidence.
Goal Oriented (6-1): Bob Baffert has eight Preakness wins, and this lightly raced colt could be his ninth. Though making his stakes debut, he’s undefeated in two starts and versatile in running style. Improvement is needed on the Beyer scale, but his natural talent is intriguing in a field lacking a clear standout outside of Journalism.
River Thames (9-2): The Todd Pletcher trainee nearly upset Sovereignty in the Fountain of Youth but flopped in the Blue Grass Stakes. He’s talented, but appears better suited to shorter distances. He may be overbet due to name recognition and past flashes of brilliance.
Gosger (20-1): The Lexington Stakes (G3) winner has quietly put together a solid résumé. With Luis Saez aboard and an ideal stalking trip likely, he could sneak into the exotics. His class is untested, but he always shows up.
Heart of Honor (12-1): Consistent but perhaps limited, the UAE Derby runner-up brings a foreign flavor to the field. While his resume sparkles on paper, his Dubai form took a hit when Admire Daytona bombed in Louisville. Still, he’s never been off the board and could surprise with a clean trip.
American Promise (15-1): Last year’s winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas returns, but this colt lacks recent form and was a non-factor in the Derby. He’s a front-runner who will face speedier rivals early. A minor award is the ceiling here.
Pay Billy (20-1): The local hopeful brings momentum with back-to-back wins at Laurel, but the class leap is enormous. He’ll be part of the early pace, but hanging on late seems unlikely.
With Sovereignty absent, the 150th Preakness offers a fresh storyline and a shot at stardom for a new 3-year-old contender. If Journalism delivers as expected, he may set up a rematch with the Derby champ in the Belmont Stakes—Triple Crown or not, the battle lines are being drawn.
