2025 Preakness Stakes Final Thoughts

Backing Journalism...again. Some spot plays on the undercard for the middle leg of horse racing's Triple Crown

Look at that jerk.

Fourteen years ago, I was thrilled to sit at the first turn for the 2011 Preakness. I never made it to the old Yankee Stadium, but I did get to Pimlico before this year’s scheduled renovation, which will push the 2026 Preakness to Laurel Park.

If I remember correctly, it was $125 for a seat that allowed you access to the entire property, a buffet, and as many Miller Lites you could get your hands on…responsibly, of course.

It was a great day, even without cashing a ticket. The Preakness was a fantastic experience; if you know someone who has been, I’m guessing they’d say the same thing.

But in 2025, it just doesn’t measure up as a Triple Crown race.

Just compare the race cards from the Derby and the Belmont to what you get on Preakness Day. Or the cards the day before. Or compare the Preakness field to what you’ll get in the other two legs of the Triple Crown.

There is no comparison, especially when the Derby winner regularly bypasses the race.

Nick Tammaro is a very sharp guy, but I 100% disagree. The Preakness needs to be moved. Then the Belmont has to be moved. Then, they need to set up a better race schedule for the three-year-olds who are the focus of the Kentucky Derby. As I wrote a few weeks ago -

Last week March/First Saturday in April - Final Round of Grade I Derby Preps 🧲
First Saturday in May - Kentucky Derby 🏆
First Saturday in June - The Preakness 🦀
First Saturday in July - The Belmont Stakes 🏇🏻

Then, in late July, the Grade 1 Haskell at Monmouth. Late August, you have The Travers and Del Mar Derby. In late September, you have the PA Derby. The Breeders’ Cup preps in October and then the Classic in November. Of course, you’d have the other 3-year-old races (Ohio Derby, Matt Winn, Indiana Derby, Jim Dandy, West Virginia Derby) along the way.

That schedule is a game-changer for racing.

I love the Preakness.

I can’t wait to get back.

Hopefully, the next time I go, it will be run a month after the Kentucky Derby rather than two weeks.

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🏇🏻 Today’s Preakness Post Presented by The Brook

Preakness Stakes Party at The Brook - TODAY - Saturday, May 17

A big thanks to The Brook for their sponsorship of our Preakness coverage over the last few weeks.

The Brook has an incredible race and sportsbook featuring a massive 4K wraparound screen. Great seating options and easy to get a bet in. More importantly, they care about the New England horseplayer and sports bettor.

I'm looking forward to a Saratoga Saturday at The Brook this summer. If you can, get there for the Preakness Party on Saturday. Or start planning a trip for the Belmont, Saratoga, or Breeders’ Cup.

See you at The Brook!

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Here’s the picks grid from our MutStack Podcast - Handicpping the Preakness Stakes with guests Jessica Paquette and Dick Jerardi.

I looked at the field for the Preakness in this week’s Friday-Four Pack.

I hate backing a short-priced favorite, but I can’t come up with a good reason to fade Journalism. He’s faster than these on paper. The trainer has won a Preakness; quite frankly, they didn’t have to run here. Eclipse could have pointed to a different race, and sending him here after a big Derby effort is a good sign, in my opinion.

With about $1 million in the win pool early Saturday morning, Journalism is 6/5. If he had won the Derby, he’d be 2 to 5 in here. A price of 6/5 = him winning the race about 45% of the time: that seems fair here.

He should have every chance to get a good trip behind the early speed of Goal Oriented, American Promise, and Clever Again. River Thames could show speed, too.

Of the speeds, the horse I like best is Clever Again. Visually, has done it easy in these last two starts, but also has the Beyers to compete here. And like Dick said on the podcast, watch his debut and how quick he was to break. There’s real talent here.

I’m going to play a decent 2-8 exacta. In the trifecta, I’ll take a stand against Sandman. I don’t like the trainer saying, after the fact, that the horse had a minor shoe issue heading into the Derby. He’s built to close, and maybe today he gets into the number. If he does, I lose.

Gosger is one I’ll use prominently in the trifecta and pick third. He had a sweet trip in the Lexington, but he’s bred for this distance and could trip out off the speed. River Thames is a juicy 9-1 in the early betting, but is probably lower in the ex and tri pools.

American Promise, Heart of Honor, and Pay Billy will also make the bottom trifecta plays. But to cash, I’ll need Journalism and Clever Again both in the top three.

2-8-9-6 for me in the Preakness. In the Pick 4, Journalism will be a lone A, unless the track shows some type of bias on the dirt - then we might have to adjust. Race 10, 4:11 EST, starts that Pick Four.

Spot plays on the undercard:

Race 6 is the Skipat Stakes. Butch Reid has #4 Disco Ebo. Looks wayyyy to slow on paper, but also might be the lone pace player. One to use in the vertical wagers at a price.

Race 8 is another dirt sprint. #3 Ancient World has won his first two starts as easily as possible and might have real talent. This is the last chance to get a good price on this guy. 3-9-12 ex box.

Race 12 features a nice group on the turf, and you can make a case for a bunch of them. That Shug lands here with #10 Fort Washington is noteworthy. Will be coming late and like him at anywhere near his 5-1 morning line. A 10-9 exacta would be okay with me.

But really, focusing on that Pick 4 and the Preakness. The Mutnansky Boys have five baseball games in three different towns, with another six games looming tomorrow, so the bets will be placed early and we’ll catch most of the action on replay.

Feedback is welcome and appreciated. If you’re a horseplayer and have enjoyed the Derby and Preakness coverage, please share with other racing fans. It’s a huge help.

Special thanks to Mike and the team at The Brook Casino for sponsoring our Preakness coverage.

I thought Journalism was the best horse going into the Derby. Sovereignty beat him on the square, but there’s no Sovereignty in the Preakness. It sets up for Journalism - and hopefully sets us up for the Derby and Preakness winners meeting at the Belmont in Saratoga.

Thanks for reading, and good luck this weekend! Safe trips for all.