preakness 2025
🏇 2025 Preakness Stakes: A Historic Triumph
The 150th running of the Preakness Stakes at Baltimore’s iconic Pimlico Race Course delivered everything fans could hope for—thrills, drama, and a victorious favorite rising above adversity. Held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, the second jewel of the Triple Crown celebrated its sesquicentennial in style, as Journalism, the Kentucky Derby runner-up, charged down the stretch to capture a hard-fought win. With a rich legacy behind it and millions watching around the world, this year’s Preakness not only crowned a new champion but also reaffirmed the race’s place as one of the crown jewels in American horse racing.
📅 Event Details
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Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
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Location: Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland
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Distance: 1+3/16 miles (1,911 meters)
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Surface: Dirt
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Purse: $2 million
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Broadcast: NBC, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app
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Post Time: 6:50 p.m. ET
🏁 Race Outcome: Journalism Delivers Under Pressure
In a dramatic edition of the Preakness Stakes, Journalism lived up to the hype—and then some. The 3-year-old colt, trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, overcame a bump at the top of the stretch and powered through the final furlong to clinch victory in the 150th running of the Preakness.
Despite being slightly hampered during a tense moment in the homestretch, Journalism displayed resilience and heart, rallying to edge out longshot Gosger by half a length. The win came in a final time of 1:55.37 over a fast dirt track at Pimlico Race Course.
It was a milestone victory for jockey Umberto Rispoli, who captured his first Triple Crown race win, and a second Preakness title for McCarthy, solidifying his reputation as one of the sport’s most tactically sharp trainers.
The stewards briefly reviewed the contact that occurred in the stretch, but after careful consideration, no changes were made to the order of finish—allowing Journalism to officially take his place in Preakness history.
🐎 Full Field of Contenders
The 2025 Preakness Stakes featured a dynamic lineup of nine 3-year-old colts, each bringing unique potential and racing style to the historic Pimlico Race Course. While the absence of Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty shifted the odds, the field remained deep and competitive, headlined by Journalism, the Derby runner-up.
Here’s a look at the full list of contenders, including their post positions, trainers, and notable background:
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Notable Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goal Oriented | Bob Baffert | Lightly raced; looking to make a splash for Baffert |
| 2 | Journalism | Michael McCarthy | 2nd in Kentucky Derby; Preakness favorite |
| 3 | American Promise | D. Wayne Lukas | From the Hall of Famer; known for tough closers |
| 4 | Heart of Honor | Jamie Osborne | European import with solid turf pedigree |
| 5 | Pay Billy | Michael E. Gorham | Longshot with a local Maryland connection |
| 6 | River Thames | Todd Pletcher | Highly regarded colt from powerhouse barn |
| 7 | Sandman | Mark Casse | Proven performer; looked sharp in prep races |
| 8 | Clever Again | Steve Asmussen | Solid mid-pack finisher with late kick |
| 9 | Gosger | Brendan P. Walsh | Overlooked at the windows; nearly stole the race |
🔥 Race Highlights: Drama and Dominance at Pimlico
The 150th Preakness Stakes delivered a dramatic and unforgettable spectacle from start to finish. With a packed crowd at Pimlico and millions watching around the globe, the race showcased speed, strategy, and a heart-pounding finish that lived up to its historic billing.
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A Rough Start and Tense Midpoint
From the break, the pace was moderate, with Goal Oriented and Heart of Honor pushing early to gain position. The field remained tightly bunched heading into the far turn, setting the stage for a tactical battle down the stretch. -
Journalism Gets Bumped—but Battles Back
As the pack turned for home, favorite Journalism faced a crucial test. Attempting to split rivals, he was bumped by Gosger, momentarily losing momentum. But under a confident ride by Umberto Rispoli, he quickly regained stride and launched a determined drive down the center of the track. -
The Final Furlong
In the final stretch, it was a three-way showdown: Gosger clung to a narrow lead on the rail, Sandman fought gamely outside, but Journalism surged past them both with a strong closing kick. He crossed the wire half a length ahead of Gosger, with Sandman close behind in third. -
Stewards' Inquiry Adds Late Drama
The bump between Journalism and Gosger prompted a brief stewards’ review. However, after examining the footage, officials ruled there was no interference significant enough to alter the outcome, allowing Journalism’s win to stand. -
A Milestone Win for McCarthy and Rispoli
The victory marked trainer Michael McCarthy’s second Preakness title, while Umberto Rispoli earned his first career win in a Triple Crown race, cementing a memorable moment for both horse and rider on a landmark day for the sport.
🔮 What’s Next: All Eyes on the Belmont Stakes
With the 2025 Preakness Stakes now in the books, attention shifts to the final leg of the Triple Crown—the prestigious Belmont Stakes, set to take place on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Saratoga Race Course (moved from Belmont Park due to renovations).
🏇 Will There Be a Triple Crown Winner?
Despite Journalism's heroic performance at Pimlico, the 2025 Triple Crown will not be contested in full. That’s because Sovereignty, the Kentucky Derby winner, skipped the Preakness and is expected to return in the Belmont. As a result, there will be no Triple Crown winner this year, but the Belmont remains a high-stakes showdown.
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