The 150th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 17, 2025, is gearing up to be an exciting showdown, with at least 10 strong contenders stepping up for the prestigious Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown. This year, all eyes are on Sovereignty, the Kentucky Derby winner, who is looking to be the first horse since Justify in 2018 to win both the Derby and the Preakness. The lineup also includes a mix of Derby runners and those who skipped it but have been performing well in recent graded stakes.
Sovereignty: The Triple Crown Hopeful
Sovereignty, trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott and owned by Godolphin, pulled off a tough win in the 2025 Kentucky Derby, beating the favorite Journalism by 1 ½ lengths. This win has made Sovereignty the horse to watch at Pimlico, and the team is currently deciding whether to enter him in the Preakness. While they haven’t made a final decision yet, the Preakness executive vice president has officially invited them, and trainer Mott is in talks with Godolphin’s bloodstock director. If Sovereignty competes, he could be in the running for a Triple Crown, something that hasn’t happened since Justify’s victory in 2018.
Journalism and Other Derby Veterans
Journalism, who came in second at the Kentucky Derby, might join the race, but it’s still up in the air. Besides him, only a handful of Derby finishers are likely to show up at Pimlico, including Mystik Dan, last year’s 18-1 long-shot Derby winner, who is now seen as a serious contender. Mystik Dan’s participation is noteworthy since long-shot Derby winners have had a mixed track record at the Preakness, with some even going on to win or perform well.
Derby Skippers and Rising Stars
The Preakness lineup gets a boost from some standout Derby contenders who skipped the first race to focus on this one. Notable names include River Thames and Gosger, both of whom have shown great performance in graded stakes this season. River Thames, trained by Todd Pletcher, came in a close second to Sovereignty in the Fountain of Youth Stakes and took third in the Blue Grass Stakes. Meanwhile, Gosger, trained by Brendan Walsh, won the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland in style after securing his first win at Gulfstream Park. Both are seen as serious challengers to the Derby winner if Sovereignty competes.
Pay Billy is another confirmed participant, having secured his spot in the Preakness by winning the Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Park. Under the guidance of trainer Mike Gorham, Pay Billy has been training hard and is anticipated to be in top shape for the race on May 17.
The Preakness Stakes Context and Conditions
The 150th Preakness Stakes isn’t just a race; it’s a big celebration of tradition and history at Pimlico. There’s a whole lineup of six stakes races with over $1 million in prizes leading up to the main event. The Preakness covers 1 3/16 miles, which is a bit shorter than the Derby, and that can really change how the race plays out. Plus, the weather and track conditions in Baltimore might affect the results, especially for horses like Mystik Dan that do well on wet tracks if it rains.
Summary of Early Preakness Contenders
Sovereignty (Kentucky Derby winner, Triple Crown hopeful, status pending)
Journalism (Derby runner-up, possible starter)
Mystik Dan (Previous Derby winner, confirmed starter)
River Thames (Derby skip, strong graded stakes form)
Gosger (Derby skip, Lexington Stakes winner)
Pay Billy (Federico Tesio winner, confirmed starter)
The 2025 Preakness Stakes is set to be an exciting battle featuring the reigning Derby champ, Sovereignty, along with a mix of experienced Derby runners and newcomers. Whether Sovereignty races or not will be crucial in determining the story of the event, possibly reigniting the thrill of a Triple Crown pursuit after a few years without a strong competitor.
To wrap it up, the Preakness Stakes on May 17, 2025, is gearing up to be an epic showdown with at least 10 early contenders battling it out at Pimlico. With a mix of Derby champs, near winners, and up-and-coming Derby stars, it’s going to be a top-notch race that will challenge speed, endurance, and tactics in the chase for the Black-Eyed Susan and a shot at the Triple Crown.