Preakness Stakes for May 2025: Betting Predictions, Tips & Odds
The Preakness Stakes is coming up on Saturday, May 17th. With the post positions sorted following Monday’s draw, it’s high time I drop my predictions and tips on one of America’s most prestigious horse racing events.
My favorite odds for this year’s race are offered by bet365, and there are great bonuses to enjoy there too. Keep reading to find out who I’d put my money on and some helpful Preakness Stakes betting tips. Nine horses are set to run, including a couple of familiar names from the recently concluded Kentucky Derby.
Who will win the Preakness 2025? My predictions and top horses to watch out for
Just nine horses are set to run, less than half as many as those who ran in the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago. So there’s a smaller sample to choose from.
I doubt a larger number of runners would have affected the forecast, though. Everyone’s eyes are on Journalism, the Michael McCarthy-trained colt who was runner-up in the Kentucky Derby. He’s the most accomplished on the field, and his performance at the Kentucky Derby earlier this month places him firmly as the top contender.
A couple of other horses are solid on the odds board. Sandman is the second favorite. He also ran in the Kentucky Derby, where he finished 7th. He’s also won this year’s Arkansas Derby a few months back – a similar Grade 1 race. Another horse that could turn heads at Pimlico is Clever Again. This colt was sired by American Pharoah, a Triple Crown winner.
How to bet on this year’s Preakness Stakes
This event is the second leg of the Triple Crown, so unlike other obscure races, these odds will be front at center at most bookies. bet365 in addition to providing the most competitive odds, also provides odds boosts and bet credits, among other bet365 bonus offers valid for this event.
There are only a few steps to begin betting at this sportsbook, and I’ll take you through them below:
- Click on the sportsbook banner on this page
- Sign up for a new account by filling in the registration form
- Fund your account
- Claim your welcome bonus
- Start betting on the Preakness Stakes
Latest odds at bet365
On the day of the race, more betting options will be available on this event, but here are the current bet365 odds for all nine runners according to post position:
| Post | Horse | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goal Oriented | 9.00 |
| 2 | Journalism | 1.90 |
| 3 | American Promise | 17.00 |
| 4 | Heart of Honor | 21.00 |
| 5 | Pay Billy | 67.00 |
| 6 | River Thames | 6.50 |
| 7 | Sandman | 8.50 |
| 8 | Clever Again | 8.50 |
| 9 | Gosger | 26.00 |
Race details you should know
Like every year, the Preakness Stakes is held on the third Saturday in May. This year, it falls on May 17th. The Grade 1 thoroughbred race is the 13th event out of 14 races on schedule, and will kick off at 7: 01 pm ET at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It’s run over a distance of 1+3⁄16 miles (9.5 furlongs) on dirt. This year’s event will mark the 150th Preakness Stakes.
3 Preakness Stakes betting tips to keep in mind
- Bet on top performers in the Kentucky Derby – For the longest time, experts have used the Kentucky Derby performance as a yardstick to measure who’s going to perform well in the Preakness Stakes. It’s a method that generally works, so I suggest you try it.
- Don’t ignore fresh horses – This may seem contradictory to the previous tip, but consider them as two separate schools of thought that are equally valid. Basically, some horses skip the Kentucky Derby in order to come in rested for the Preakness. If they come from champion stock like Clever Again, they can pose a real threat.
- Research horses, trainers, and jockey history – Doing due diligence before betting on horse racing will always be better than flying in blind. But don’t make the mistake of just focusing on the horses; check out the trainers and jockeys too.
Conclusion – Take your Preakness Stakes bets at bet365
I haven’t added it as a tip, but it’s implied that you should always take the best odds to enjoy the best betting experience. Luckily, bet365 odds always stay sharp. At the moment, Journalism looks primed to take the trophy at Pimlico, or at the very least give a performance he’ll be proud of. There’ll be strong competition from Sandman, and Clever Again will likely force his way into the finish picture. As a new customer, you’ll get a welcome offer of up to $30 in bet credits at bet365 to support your wagers.