2025 Preakness Stakes: How to watch, start time, odds, horses, and post positions for 150th running
The second leg of the Triple Crown runs Saturday at Pimlico Race Course, but Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty will not compete.
The 150th edition of the Preakness Stakes will take place Saturday evening at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The historic race, which serves as the second leg of the Triple Crown, features nine horses competing for victory, but one key contender will be missing from the starting gate.
Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty will not race in the Preakness, as trainer Bill Mott opted to skip the event due to the short recovery window. This marks the seventh consecutive year without a Triple Crown contender, extending the drought that began after Justify’s 2018 sweep and American Pharoah’s win in 2015.
Favorites and contenders for the 2025 Preakness Stakes
With Sovereignty out, the field opens up for other strong contenders. Journalism, who finished second in the Kentucky Derby, enters as the 8/5 favorite. Other top horses include Sandman (4-1), River Thames (9/2), and Clever Again (5-1). Sandman, a derby disappointment at seventh place, will look for redemption with veteran jockey John Velasquez.
The full list of entries includes Goal Oriented (6-1), American Promise (15-1), Heart of Honor (12-1), Pay Billy (20-1), and Gosger (20-1). Post positions were drawn earlier in the week, with Journalism set to start from gate 2 and Sandman from gate 7. Race-day strategies will likely be shaped by early pace and post position advantages.
When and where to watch the Preakness Stakes
Coverage of the 2025 Preakness Stakes begins at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 17. The race is scheduled to start at approximately 7:01 p.m. ET. NBC will broadcast the event live, and it will also stream via fuboTV for those watching online. The race remains one of the most watched events on the horse racing calendar.
Held annually at Pimlico, the Preakness is known for its festive atmosphere and large infield crowd. The Black-Eyed Susans, the official drink of the race, will be flowing as fans gather to witness the 150th running. With no Triple Crown at stake this year, the focus will turn to emerging stars and possible redemption runs.
