150th Preakness Stakes Set for Saturday at Pimlico

The 150th running of the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the Triple Crown, takes place at Pimlico Race Course with a competitive field that excludes the Kentucky Derby winner, Sovereignty, who is skipping the race. Journalism, who finished second in the Derby, enters as the favorite with strong recent performances and a promising pedigree, while other notable contenders include Goal Oriented, River Thames, Clever Again, and American Promise. Local longshot Pay Billy, trained by Michael Gorham and winner of the Tesio Stakes, presents a compelling outsider story with odds around 20-1, reminding some of historic upsets like Master Derby’s victory 50 years ago. The Preakness Stakes has a rich history dating back to 1873 and is held annually at Pimlico, a track established in 1870 to revive Maryland horse racing. Handicappers emphasize the importance of early speed and positioning in the race, with many expecting a fast pace and close competition among front-runners. With Sovereignty absent, this year’s race opens opportunities for contenders like Journalism to claim the pivotal second leg of the Triple Crown.