Overview

The 2025 Preakness Stakes will feature riders of varied expertise and previous success in this prestigious race.

Among the nine jockeys slated to compete in the 2025 Preakness, four will be making their debut, three are past champions, and two have competed before without a win. Notably, Maryland-native Nik Juarez is among the newcomers but will definitely enjoy local fan support. He has previously raced American Promise at the Kentucky Derby, where the horse finished in sixteenth place but now looks to improve upon that result in this smaller field.

The current favorite in the odds is Journalism, starting at 8-5, while American Promise ranks as a 15-1 longshot. Post time for the event is scheduled for 7:01 p.m. ET.

Before placing any bets on the Preakness Stakes, it is advisable to consult Gene Menez, who made waves at the Kentucky Derby with his exacta and trifecta betting success yielding a $1,045 payout. His predictions, including insights on specific horses and betting strategies, can be found on SportsLine.

Top Predictions for 2025 Preakness Stakes

Menez is unexpectedly steering away from the favored Journalism, who will be handled by Italian jockey Umberto Rispoli for the first time in this competition. Rispoli struggled during the Kentucky Derby, finishing second after being unable to maintain control of the horse. Menez questions the horse’s readiness for a quick turnaround into this race, citing that modern thoroughbreds typically aren’t conditioned to race so soon after a major event.

Making Your Bets

Menez is optimistic about a longshot that he believes is well-prepared and in good form. You can see Menez’s top picks and betting recommendations on SportsLine.

Horse Profiles and Odds

Post	Horse	Odds	Projection
1	Goal Oriented	6-1	Check Picks
2	Journalism	8-5	Check Picks
3	American Promise	15-1	Check Picks
4	Heart of Honor	12-1	Check Picks
5	Pay Billy	20-1	Check Picks
6	River Thames	9-2	Check Picks
7	Sandman	4-1	Check Picks
8	Clever Again	5-1	Check Picks
9	Gosger	20-1	Check Picks