Okay, so here we go — the big day is coming up fast. The 150th Preakness Stakes is set for Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the legendary Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Even though we won’t be seeing a Triple Crown champ this year (more on that in a sec), the race is still looking pretty exciting with a bunch of strong horses in the mix. It’s wide open now, which honestly just makes it more fun to watch.
How to Watch the Race This Year
If you're planning to catch it live, here's the lowdown:
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The main race kicks off at 6:50 p.m. ET — so make sure you're tuned in by then.
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You can watch it on NBC Sports, and if you prefer streaming, it’ll also be live on Peacock.
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And yeah, it’s all happening at Pimlico in Baltimore, which has been home to this race forever. There’s just something cool about that old-school energy there.
No Sovereignty = No Triple Crown, But That’s Not a Bad Thing
So here’s the big twist — Sovereignty, the horse that won the Kentucky Derby, is sitting this one out. His team decided to give him a break so he’s fresh for the Belmont Stakes later on. I mean, you can’t really blame them. That’s a smart move if they’re thinking long-term.
But that means we’re not getting a Triple Crown winner this year. Kind of a bummer, yeah, but on the flip side, the Preakness is now wide open. No clear path, no predictable outcome — just a bunch of hungry horses and a lot of fans watching to see who steps up.
Top Horses to Keep an Eye On
Here’s a quick look at the horses everyone’s talking about going into this weekend:
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Journalism – Probably the favorite right now. He came in second at the Derby, and he's known for finishing strong. Michael McCarthy trains him, and even Bob Baffert (yep, that Baffert) says he deserves to be the favorite.
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Sandman – He didn’t do great in the Derby (finished 7th), but a lot of fans love him — maybe because of the whole Metallica name thing. Anyway, track conditions are supposed to be better this time, so he could surprise people.
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Goal Oriented – This one’s Baffert’s entry, and let’s be honest, Baffert always brings drama and wins. He’s looking for his ninth Preakness win with this horse.
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Other names to watch:
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River Thames – Strong and steady type.
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Clever Again – Has been gaining a lot of buzz.
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Heart of Honor, Pay Billy, American Promise, and Gosger are also in the race. Even if they’re longer shots, anything can happen.
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Latest Odds Before the Race
Here's where things stand with the odds right now. These could shift a bit, but this gives you a rough idea of who the favorites are:
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Journalism – 8-5
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Sandman – 4-1
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River Thames – 9-2
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Clever Again – 5-1
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Goal Oriented – 6-1
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Heart of Honor – 12-1
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American Promise – 15-1
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Pay Billy – 20-1
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Gosger – 20-1
So yeah, Journalism’s the one to beat, but you never know what might happen out there.
Why This Year's Race Feels a Bit Different
Here’s something kind of interesting — this is one of those rare years where the Kentucky Derby winner isn’t running in the Preakness. That’s only happened a few times in the last several years. And honestly, it shakes things up in a good way. No big favorite towering over the field. No “obvious” storyline. It’s just a bunch of strong horses trying to grab their shot at the spotlight.
Feels kind of refreshing, you know? Like, this could be someone’s breakout moment. Journalism might take it, or Sandman might make a comeback. Maybe even one of the underdogs pulls off a surprise. That’s the fun part.
