The 2025 Preakness Stakes
Horse racing’s Triple Crown caravan rolls into Baltimore, Maryland this Saturday for the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes at soon to be demolished Pimlico Race Course. This news has surprised many recent Pimlico attendees, as they had assumed the facility they were visiting had already been demolished for a number of years.
The good news is the State of Maryland has committed funds to completely rebuild Pimlico and make it worthy of the state’s proud heritage in racing. That is a long overdue and welcome development.
Speaking of committed funds (or the disappearance thereof) for Your Faithful Correspondent (YFC) “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” became “The Most Disappointing Two Seconds in Gambling” as Japanese entry and YFC selection Luxor Cafe committed Hari Kari, hopping out of the gate at the start, ceding valuable ground immediately and being put into chase mode, an effort which ultimately fell flat.
With a late charge to victory over a surface that had the appearance of creamy peanut butter, trainer Bill Mott’s Sovereignty chunked up for victory in Louisville. While some might think Mott nuts, the trainer and owner’s plans jelled, deciding in a jif to skip the Preakness on Saturday, surely leaving some bread on the table.
As disappointing as that might be, there is still this major race, sandwiched between the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes, to be contested on Saturday with an interesting group of characters taking center stage in Baltimore. The field (in post position order);
Goal Oriented
Sired by Not This Time. Father knows best.
Journalism
Tough loss in the Derby for this favored Mike McCarthy trainee. If Mike McCarthy says this horse is ready to roll after that taxing Derby effort, who is YFC to say he’s wrong? Hard to envision this most likely winner not at least hitting the board on Saturday.
American Promise
This field’s only 11 time starter. Probably begging trainer D. Wayne Lukas to promise him a rest soon as this one hasn’t kept the promise shown in earlier races when facing up against the top 3 year old horses in the country.
Heart of Honor
Has been plying his trade in Dubai to date. Not sure connections are doing right by this guy, flying him more than 7,000 miles for a beating.
Pay Billy
Excellent advice for consumers of this free newsletter.
River Thames
Race flow may favor this one’s running style. Question is whether the added distance of Saturday’s race will help this one or hurt.
Sandman
Sandman got mud in his eye racing well back in the Derby pack early and threw mud in the eye of backers who bet him down to 5-1 that day. YFC expects to see Sand desert backers again on Saturday.
Clever Again
Should be out front early on Saturday. Speedster may be able to pull of a clever upset if he gets alone on the lead.
Gosger
Named after former Montreal Expos ball player Jim Gosger. Think this one may expose some pretenders on Saturday. Trainer Brendan Walsh brings this guy to Baltimore Saturday with an upset chance.
Selections
It’s hard to see the Derby second place finisher not being able to finish the deal in Baltimore on Saturday. Will be using Journalism along with Clever Again and Gosger in exacta and trifecta combinations as well as some win and place betting on Gosger, thinking this one has a good chance of outrunning his 20-1 morning line odds.
Good luck and hold all tickets!
