Not Breaking News: Journalism Heavy Preakness Favorite

The only suspense in advance of the May 17 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course was what posts the entrants would draw and how heavy of a favorite Kentucky Derby (G1) runner-up Journalism would find himself. The son of Curlin will break from post 2 Saturday, and the morning-line odds have him at 8-5. "We're fine with post position two. He's tactical enough. He's got some early speed, if need be," trainer Michael McCarthy said. "It looks like an evenly matched field." McCarthy said Journalism would leave Kentucky and ship to Pimlico May 13. Having only been committed to the race less than 24 hours before the draw took place in Baltimore, Journalism will look to bounce back after coming up 1 1/2 lengths short in the Derby. With rain forecast for much of the week ahead, including Preakness day, there shouldn't be any questions about whether the standout colt can handle a sloppy course should it come to that. Journalism is owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Robert LaPenta, breeder Don Alberto Stable, Elayne Stables 5, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith. A lot of eyes will be set on the inside of Journalism as Bob Baffert—the winningest trainer in Preakness history with eight—starts his lightly raced talent Goal Oriented (6-1). It will be the first graded challenge for the son of Not This Time. "Once you draw, you can't think about it. Last time I drew the one here was with American Pharaoh. I drew the one with Lookin At Lucky. The one hole is not as bad here as it would be in the Derby," Baffert said. "He is not as fast as these other horses on paper, but I think he is a good horse. I really thought he was a better fit than Rodriguez would have been. " Goal Oriented is owned by SF Racing, Starlight Partners, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert Masterson, Tom Ryan, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan. On Journalism's immediate outside will be one of two other Derby runners who are taking their shot at the second jewel of the Triple Crown. The D. Wayne Lukas-trained American Promise (15-1). The Justify chestnut won the Virginia Derby before finishing a troubled 16th in the Kentucky Derby. A win by American Promise would vault Lukas into a dead heat with Baffert for the most Preakness triumphs. Moving outward will be the race's lone international participant, Heart of Honor (GB) (12-1). Having run exclusively at Meydan Racecourse since his second start, the son of A.P. Honor was second in the UAE Derby (G2). But he also brings a feel-good story into Baltimore as he is trained by Jamie Osborne, whose daughter Saffie will be in the irons. If local runner Pay Billy, who earned his place in the Preakness by winning the Federico Tesio, his connections may paint the town with Old Bay. Pay Billy comes in sharing the longest opening odds at 20-1, but that didn't dampen the spirits of his many supporters on hand for the draw. "I'm real happy with it," said trainer Michael Gorham. "That's what I was hoping for—4, 5, or 6. I didn't want to be down on the rail in the 1 or 2, and I didn't want to be on the far outside. I think it worked out pretty good. I think we'll get him out of there running and try to get a spot. You don't want to get caught too far back. He has a little tactical speed. He can be forwardly placed. We've got to get into the turn in a good spot, not too far off the lead, but have something to run at." Trainer Todd Pletcher, who missed out on having a runner in the Derby after Grande scratched, returns to the classic scene with River Thames, the third betting choice at 9-2. A win by River Thames would give Pletcher a win in each of the Triple Crown races. The second choice is Sandman (4-1), who was seventh in the Derby but gained a greater following thanks to co-owner and social media influencer Griffin Johnson, who was present for the draw at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery. "I think it's amazing for the horse industry," Johnson said of the exposure his platform provides. "I think it's great for the Preakness. This is a perfect example of (trainer) Mark Casse's sportsmanship and his love for the game. I respect that and I'm proud to be a part of his team." Terry Finley, founder and president of West Point Thoroughbreds, was pleased with Sandman's draw. "Obviously, it's a lot different than two weeks ago, when you are crossing your fingers that you don't get the one post or 20," Finley said. "We're fine in seven." Finley reported that Sandman came back fine from a seventh-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, prompting Casse to enter the grade 1-winning son of Tapit in the Preakness. "Do we draw a line through the Kentucky Derby? I hope so, but maybe not," Finley said. "He certainly doesn't give us the sense that he's tailing off." Sandman is owned by D J Stables. West Point Thoroughbreds, St. Elias Stable, and C J Stables. Next in line is Steve Asmussen's student, Clever Again (5-1). The Hall of Famer has two Preakness titles to his resume with Curlin (2007) and Rachel Alexandra (2009). Exiting from the outside is Gosger, victor of the Lexington Stakes (G3), who shares longest odds honors with Pay Billy at 20-1. Bob Ehalt contributed to this story