Preakness Stakes 2025: Ranking the field from 1st to last

The absence of Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty in the Preakness Stakes is highly disappointing, but the show must go on and an interesting field of nine has been assembled for the second leg of the Triple Crown. The two betting choices in the Kentucky Derby, Journalism and Sandman, are back to try to prove that horses can still run back effectively in two weeks. Clever Again and River Thames are among the runners that enter the Preakness Stakes fresh. Will rest prevail at Pimlico on Saturday with another wet track possible? Below I analyze and rank the complete field of nine for the 2025 Preakness Stakes.

1st, Journalism, (8-5). The Kentucky Derby runner-up ran a good race at Churchill Downs, but just ran into a better horse on the day in Sovereignty. He will not have to deal with Sovereignty on Saturday and should be able to work out a good, ground-saving trip against a field that he outclasses. The Santa Anita Derby winner is strictly the horse to beat as a repeat of any of his last three efforts should be enough to capture the Preakness Stakes (G1).

2nd, Clever Again, (5-1). This colt is dangerous as he has a tactical and freshness edge over the two favorites, Journalism and Sandman. He has improved in each of his starts and could be right in the mix with another step forward. Steve Asmussen's runner is a bit of a wildcard as he makes just his fourth career start, but his upside appears to be high. Though he will likely have some company on the front-end, he may have enough class to separate early and hang on late. Jose Ortiz, Sandman's regular rider, takes the call on this colt on Saturday. 

3rd, Sandman, (4-1). The Arkansas Derby (G1) winner was a bit disappointing in the Kentucky Derby, but did not have the best of trips that day and has shown previously that he should not be discounted as a top contender in this crop. The deep closer should be able to navigate traffic better in this smaller field. He will hope for a pace meltdown and will be closing strongly for a slice of the action with John Velazquez aboard.  

4th, Goal Oriented, (6-1). Much like Clever Again, this colt has speed and upside in his corner. He will make his third career start and has already shown the ability to win on the lead and from off the pace. Unlike Clever Again, he did not show improvement from a Beyer Speed Figure perspective and will have to show he can handle this level of competition as he makes his stakes debut. It is hard to discount an undefeated Bob Baffert runner as the trainer goes for his ninth Preakness Stakes win. 

5th, Gosger, (20-1). The Lexington Stakes (G3) winner has yet to run a bad race and should sit a perfect tracking trip with Luis Saez aboard from an outside draw. He has not dealt with this level of competition, but is a good bet to get a piece and outrun his odds as the longest shot in this field. 

6th, River Thames, (9-2). Todd Pletcher's colt has plenty of talent, though he looks like he may be a better at shorter distances. He will be overbet for almost beating Sovereignty in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), but Sovereignty was returning from a layoff at a distance shorter than his best that day. I was not impressed with his Blue Grass Stakes (G1) effort as he was running in place in a race in which most runners were crawling home. He will be a force in one-turn races later this year, but I do not think he will show his best in the Preakness Stakes. 

7th, American Promise, (15-1). D. Wayne Lukas has won the Preakness Stakes seven times, including last year and this colt should be respected for that alone. That is where the good news ends however, as this runner has put forth poor efforts in 3 of his last 4 races, including a 16th place finish in the Kentucky Derby. He is at his best on the lead and though he has a better chance at reaching the front than he did in the Kentucky Derby, he is still not as fast as Clever Again or Goal Oriented.

8th, Heart of Honor, (12-1). The UAE Derby runner-up adds some intrigue to the Preakness as a consistent foreign import. He has never been worse than second in six career starts, but hung when trying to pass Admire Daytona in Dubai and that runner returned to run last in the Kentucky Derby, making one question the quality of the competition in Dubai. 

9th, Pay Billy, (20-1). The local hope should pressing the early pace and has shown significant improvement since stretching out in distance. He will need to take another large step forward to contend after winning two in a row over minor stakes foes at Laurel Park.