Journalism installed as Preakness favorite * The Racing Biz

Journalism installed as Preakness favorite

Frank Vespe
May 12, 2025

Journalism, whose connections were on the fence about entering their star in the 150^th Preakness Stakes until Sunday afternoon, has been installed as the 8-5 morning line favorite and will break from post number two.

The post position draw took place Monday evening at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery just outside of Baltimore.

“I just wanted to make sure. I hadn’t seen the horse for a few days,” trainer Michael McCarthy had said earlier from Churchill Downs of his hesitation to enter. “Wanted to come and make sure everything was as I would have expected it to be, and all good here. He’s had a couple of good mornings since I’ve been here. Very pleased what I’ve seen so far. He’s a horse that’s doing well. He’s thriving in his environment.”

Journalism entered the Kentucky Derby on a four-race win streak, including a triumph in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. Off as the 3-1 favorite in the Kentucky Derby, he had a head in front in mid-stretch but could not withstand late-running Sovereignty, who prevailed by 1 ½ lengths.

*Journalism gallops at Churchill Downs. Photo Renee Torbit/Churchill Downs.*

“I think if I can have anything over again, I’d like to have the first 100 yards over. I thought the start was a bit unfortunate,” McCarthy said. “I wanted to be five lengths off the lead. I think (track announcer) Travis Stone called him about 12 lengths off the lead going into the first turn.”

Umberto Rispoli retains the mount.

Sandman, another late add to the Preakness, is the 4-1 second choice. He will leave from the seven-hole with new jockey John Velazquez up, as Jose Ortiz, who rode him in the Kentucky Derby, takes the reins aboard new shooter Clever Again.

“Johnny is a strong rider, and Sandman needs a strong rider,” trainer Mark Casse said. “I think he will fit hm perfectly.”

Sandman, a winner three times in nine starts, rallied from far back to win the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby two back, but his late run could only get him to seventh in Louisville.

Clever Again, with Sandman’s former pilot Jose Ortiz, will leave from post number eight and is 5-1 on the morning line. He has won two of three career starts and won the Hot Springs Stakes last time out for trainer Steve Asmussen.

“We really like how he’s doing,” said Asmussen’s assistant Scott Blasi. “We thought a lot of him the whole time. We’re excited about running him.”

Trainer Todd Pletcher counters with River Thames, who is 9-2 on the morning line and has post number six. The Maclean’s Music colt was a close second to Sovereignty in the Fountain of Youth and then third in the Blue Grass Stakes before Pletcher opted to skip the Derby and await the Preakness.

“We’re hoping maybe by bringing in a fresh horse, it will give us a little bit of an advantage,” Pletcher said.

Here is the full field for the 150^th running of the Preakness Stakes: