The 2025 Preakness Stakes: A Thorough Expert Preview and Analysis
The 150th running of the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Pimlico Race Course is shaping up to be a compelling chapter in the United States Triple Crown series. With key horses emerging from the recent Kentucky Derby and shifts in the field, expert analysis and odds offer bettors and enthusiasts a nuanced look at what to expect in this prestigious race.
Overview of the 2025 Preakness Stakes Field and Structure
The Preakness traditionally serves as the second jewel in the Triple Crown series following the Kentucky Derby. This year’s race features a nine-horse lineup characterized by a mix of proven performers and hopeful challengers. The race is set to commence at 7:01 p.m. Eastern Time, occupying the 13th race slot of the Pimlico racing card.
Notable Withdrawals and Their Impact
A crucial development influencing the dynamics of the 2025 Preakness is the withdrawal of Sovereignty, who was the early 8-5 favorite entering the event. Sovereignty’s decision to skip the Preakness to focus on recovery alters the competitive landscape significantly. The absence of such a strong contender opens the door for other horses to emerge as front-runners and affects betting strategies.
Front-Runners: Journalism and Other Contenders
Following Sovereignty’s withdrawal, Journalism, the Kentucky Derby runner-up, ascends as the 8-5 favorite to win the Preakness. This horse seeks redemption after finishing second to Sovereignty and garners considerable attention. Other notable entries include Sandman and American, both Kentucky Derby finishers with respectable odds. The horses appear well-matched, making the race highly competitive.
Adding intrigue, contenders like Clever Again and Rodriguez bring experienced trainers and jockeys into the mix, enhancing the tactical dimension of the race. Rodriguez’s odds and team have been highlighted by experts as worthy of consideration.
Expert Predictions and Betting Insights
Jody Demling, an elite horse racing expert known for accurately picking 10 of 20 Preakness winners and nailing the last two trifectas, has publicly shared his insights for the 2025 race. Demling’s expertise, underpinned by years of analyzing and betting on horse races including Triple Crown events, lends authoritative guidance to futures bets and race day picks.
According to Demling, with Sovereignty out, the betting favorite shifts to Journalism. His selections take into account the horses’ past performances, training reports, jockey pairings, and race day conditions. Demling advises cautious optimism but emphasizes watching the evolving odds and horse fitness levels in the final days leading up to race day.
Odds Breakdown and Futures Betting
The morning line odds reflect a somewhat open race:
– Journalism stands at the favorite +160 to +180 range (8-5 odds),
– Sandman holds around 4-1 odds,
– River Thames is listed at approximately 9-2,
– Goal Oriented appears at 6-1, noted for potential surprise impact.
These odds are integrated with performance data and post position outcomes, key for evaluating the race strategy especially on Pimlico’s challenging dirt course.
Historical Context and Trends
Interestingly, 2025 marks the fourth time in seven recent Triple Crown seasons that the Kentucky Derby winner does not run in the Preakness, a pattern impacting the build-up and betting action around the race. This emphasizes that the Preakness can be notoriously unpredictable, revealing new heroes and shifting narratives along the way.
Conclusion: Anticipating the 2025 Preakness Stakes Drama
As race day approaches, the 2025 Preakness Stakes promises excitement and competitive spirit heightened by the absence of a leading favorite and the presence of highly capable runners like Journalism seeking redemption. The expert analysis of Jody Demling and the closely watched odds provide both informed perspective and thrilling uncertainty.
Bettors and fans alike are encouraged to consider the dynamic factors including recent performances, race conditions, and expert opinions when making their predictions or simply enjoying the spectacle. The upcoming Preakness is more than a race: it is the unfolding story of persistence, strategy, and the enduring passion of horse racing tradition.
