Hellthorpe, Maryland – After a tough performance in the muddy Kentucky Derby, the horse Journalism is looking to bounce back as the favorite in the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes. Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by jockey Umberto Rispoli, drew the second post position and opened as an 8-5 favorite following the post position draw on Monday. The horse is coming from the stable of Bob Baffert, a record-breaking trainer with eight previous Preakness wins, aiming for a ninth. Baffert praised Journalism’s strong Derby run and expressed confidence that the horse will perform well on Saturday at Pimlico, where the race is scheduled to start at 7:01 PM EDT.
Sandman, post number seven, is the second favorite at 4-1, one of nine horses entered in the race. Notably absent is the Kentucky Derby winner, as the owner and trainer opted not to participate in the Preakness just two weeks after their big victory at Churchill Downs. This marks the fifth time in the last seven years that the Preakness will run without the Triple Crown winner, the last being Justify in 2018. Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas could tie Baffert with another win if American Promise, entering from post three and listed at 15-1, performs well. Baffert mentioned that this year’s Preakness track conditions aren’t as challenging as Derby’s mud and advised not to focus excessively on post positions.
Three Derby horses will compete at this $2 million event: Journalism, American Promise, and Sandman, with jockey John Velázquez riding the latter two. Sandman’s team feels that the horse has more potential than his seventh-place Derby finish showed, and while the muddy track isn’t ideal, they remain optimistic. Other contenders include Heart of Honor (12-1), Pay Billy (20-1), River Thames (9-2), Clever Again (5-1), and This Is Gosger (20-1). River Thames offers trainer Todd Pletcher a strong chance at securing his first Preakness win in his Hall of Fame career.
Fan Take: This Preakness Stakes marks a pivotal moment as it showcases resilience and new rivalries in the absence of a Triple Crown contender. For horse racing fans, the race promises thrilling competition and a glimpse of emerging talent that could shape the sport’s future.
