The 150th Preakness Stakes (G1) may not have the Kentucky Derby (G1) winner, but it has the next best thing. Journalism, the runner-up in the Derby, heads the field of nine 3-year-olds and gives it some much-needed star power. While Journalism looms a strong favorite, the rest of the field seems evenly matched, which could create some nice exotic payoffs.
1. Goal Oriented (6-1 morning-line odds): Undefeated colt gets a major class test while making his stakes debut in a Triple Crown race. He's trained by Bob Baffert, who has won the Preakness a record eight times and is an expert at winning off of two weeks of rest. His connections alone make him a contender.
JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Bob Baffert
2. Journalism (8-5): A deserving favorite here after running a solid second in the Kentucky Derby as the favorite. Should work out a nice trip from this post and looms the one to beat.
JOCKEY: Umberto Rispoli; TRAINER: Michael McCarthy
3. American Promise (15-1): Chased a fast pace in the Kentucky Derby and tired badly. Should get a softer pace here but hard to see him rebounding with a big effort just two weeks later. It's mind-boggling to think that 89-year-old trainer D. Wayne Lukas is taking aim at back-to-back Preakness wins.
JOCKEY: Nik Juarez; TRAINER: D. Wayne Lukas
4. Heart of Honor (12-1): A rare European-bred starter in the Preakness, he was beaten by a nose in the United Arab Emirates Derby (G2), which was won by Admire Daytona who finished last in the Kentucky Derby. That measuring stick isn't very flattering.
JOCKEY: Saffie Osborne; TRAINER: Jamie Osborne
5. Pay Billy (20-1): Consistent Maryland runner won the two preps at Laurel Park for the Preakness. Has a good running style for the race but he's yet to race on this track and will need to take a step forward to be a major factor.
JOCKEY: Raul Mena; TRAINER: Michael Gorham
6. River Thames (9-2): Was only beaten by a neck by Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) and then finished a close third in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1). Can sit just off the early pace and looks like the main rival.
JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher
7. Sandman (4-1): Did not pose a threat in the Kentucky Derby when he rallied from 18th to finish seventh on a sloppy track. Won the grade 1 Arkansas Derby before that, so was it the wet track that derailed him in the run for the roses? We'll see. Late-running style usually does not work well in the Preakness.
JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Mark Casse
8. Clever Again (5-1): Should be on the lead or battling for it after a front-running win in the Hot Springs Stakes. Hasn't raced beyond 1 1/16 miles, so the distance might be a tad long for him.
JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen
9. Gosger (20-1): Seems a notch below the top threats and is not helped by the outside post. Needs to step up here but the morning-line price is intriguing.
JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Brendan Walsh
THE PICK: Journalism
LIVE LONGSHOT: Goal Oriented
SUPERFECTA: 2-6-1-8
