Expert picks: See how HRN writers play the Preakness
Journalism, defeated by Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago, comes back in Saturday's second jewel of the Triple Crown. He is one of three Kentucky Derby runners who press on to Preakness 2025 at Pimlico Race Course, along with Sandman and American Promise.
The trio coming in from Churchill Downs will face six new faces to the Triple Crown, including Fountain of Youth (G2) runner-up River Thames, Hot Springs winner Clever Again, Lexington (G3) winner Gosger and derby-day allowance winner Goal Oriented.
This is how writers at Horse Racing Nation plan to play the race:
Candice Curtis, Horse Racing Nation
Winner: River Thames
On the board: Journalism
Long shot I like: Gosger
Analysis: I think Journalism turns it around in the Preakness. If he gets a similar trip as he did in the Derby he's home free. However, River Thames is a fresh new shooter, and he comes into a pattern of new faces that have won the Preakness in recent years. He'll be at incredibly juicy odds and definitely worth making some wagers around. Gosger is improving with each start and could surprise.
Ed DeRosa, Horse Racing Nation
Winner: Journalism
On the board: Clever Again
Long shot I like: American Promise
Analysis: If the Preakness board is as flat as it has been in recent years, with no horse going off at more than 18-to-1 since 2021, then it is hard to imagine Journalism not being value in that pool and our job is done. Journalism to win.
Ron Flatter, Ron Flatter Racing Pod
Winner: Journalism
On the board: Clever Again
Long shot I like: Gosger
Analysis: Bob Baffert says the best horse usually wins the Preakness. Journalism is far and away the best horse. In a race with only three graded-stakes winners, it is not even close. I would love to see an over-under for margin of victory. Lacking that, the free bingo square will suffice in horizontal bets. Clever Again might be the horse Journalism catches at the end, but he looks like a horse who wants to go the added distance. Gosger is so under the radar that he even might be a good play in the show pool. OK, maybe that is going a bit too far, but he is trending in the right direction and has the makings of a board hitter.
Mark Midland, Horse Racing Nation
Winner: Journalism
On the board: River Thames
Long shot I like: Gosger
Analysis: I'm seeing the race run through Journalism, but will try to make some money with the long shot Gosger who is 20-1 on the morning line.
The play: $25 exacta 2-9, $10 Trifecta 2/6,8/9 and $5 Trifecta 2/1,7/9.
Rowan Ward, Horse Racing Nation
Winner: Journalism
On the board: Clever Again
Long shot I like: Gosger
Analysis: Journalism will be a well-defined favorite, but he has all the tools: he is tactical, he can take his race with him anywhere, and even if things do not go perfectly for him he can run a winning race. Gosger can get a clean tracking trip from the outside, and his pedigree sparkles for the step up in trip. This may end up being a jockey's race, and if riders get timid about the prospect of the Preakness falling apart like the Kentucky Derby, confirmed frontrunner Clever Again could be left to perform grand theft equine.