Revamping Wagering Tactics for Press Coverage at the Preakness Stakes

The upcoming Preakness Stakes is set for this Saturday at Pimlico Race Course, with a post time of 7:01pm (EST). Despite a prize pool of $2,000,000, the second jewel of the Triple Crown has lost some sparkle, as three holdovers from the Kentucky Derby and six new shooters compete.

But let's face it, the second jewel may as well be a cubic zirconia these days. After every Kentucky Derby, the conversation about the Preakness coming too soon is inevitable. With just two weeks between races, it's no wonder that many horses skip the journey to Baltimore. But who can blame them? The grueling thoroughbred season demands health and energy, and not every horse is bred for such quick comebacks.

Unsurprisingly, this might lead to some fans tuning out and choosing not to wager or watch the race. However, betting on this year's Derby was up, which could potentially result in even more "dead money" come Preakness time. A few horses may take a significant chunk of the bets from the casual bettor who only places a wager on three races a year. In my opinion, these horses wouldn't stand a chance if they were to run the Preakness ten times.

So, let's talk about them, the rest of the field, and strategies to bet on this race.

Horses who might not win but could attract attention:

Trained by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, this horse took home the win on Kentucky Derby Day. Ridden by the supposedly best jockey in America, Flavien Prat, this combo sounds impressive—but don't be fooled. Goal Oriented has never even raced in a stakes race, and hasn't faced competition like this. Plus, he wasn't even pointed to this race.

Social media darling Sandman boasts an enormous following thanks to influencers and even the band Metallica sending merchandise to the barn. However, he did not run great in Kentucky, and his closing running style doesn't suit the early speed-favoring Pimlico main track. He's a pretty horse, but I don't expect him to place.

Horses you probably haven't heard of but have no chance, anyway:

An overseas shipper who hasn't raced in some time, Heart of Honor doesn't stand a chance.

At least Pay Billy has won his last two races, albeit against weaker competition.

Horses to bet under:

This horse lost by just a neck to the Derby winner two races back and is a consistent in-the-money finisher. He's likely to contend for minor placings.

I can hardly believe I'm recommending this horse as an under bet, but here we are. Despite not receiving an opportunity to run in the Kentucky Derby, American Promise jogged home in sixteenth place. Perhaps he can grab third place here.

Horses who could potentially win:

The Derby favorite who finished second, Journalism is likely to be even money when the gates open. He put on a strong performance in the Kentucky Derby, and is undoubtedly the goods. The only question is how he'll handle the short rest after a tough mile and a quarter in the slop.

Clever Again is improving with every race and is expected to get a great trip stalking the pace from the outside. With Jose Ortiz as his jockey, he has the potential to surprise at the 5/1 odds.

Gosger is an impressive underdog, given 20/1 odds. With a win under his belt in the Grade III Stonestreet Lexington Stakes, he has the consistent numbers to challenge. Notably, Luis Saez will take the reins from Irad Ortiz Jr., who chose to ride #6 River Thames instead.

Bets: Trifecta Box: 2,8,9,6. Superfecta with 2,8/2,8,9/2,3,6,8,9/2,3,6,8,9

[1] Preakness Stakes coverage, ESPN Sports, May 17, 2025, accessed May 16, 2025[2] Preakness Stakes Field 2025: Starting Gate, Odds, ESPN Sports, May 17, 2025, accessed May 16, 2025[3] 2025 Preakness Stakes: Contenders for 147th running, Thoroughbred Daily News, May 16, 2025, accessed May 16, 2025.

Given the Preakness Stakes' challenging conditions and the performance of horses in previous races, some bettors may find it hard to identify the winner, resulting in increased wagering on outsiders.
Some horses, like Goal Oriented (5/1) and Sandman (4/1), have garnered attention due to their trainers or social media popularity, but their racing history and suitability for the Pimlico main track cast doubts on their chances of winning.
Despite its long odds, Gosger (20/1) could potentially steal the show with a win under his belt in the Grade III Stonestreet Lexington Stakes and a highly skilled jockey like Luis Saez in the saddle.