The great 57 year old trainer, Todd Pletcher, who has won two Derbys and 3 Belmonts, sets high sights on his first career Preakness victory. (Photo courtesy of Wikipedia).

Nine horses are competing in the second Triple Crown race the epic 150th edition of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Journalism is back after a heartbreaking loss to Sovereignty at the 151st Kentucky Derby. He’s the favorite. There are some other rif contenders. Post time is 6:01 P.M. CT and will be broadcast by NBC, CNBC and streaming on Peacock. Here’s a look at the post positions, thoroughbreds, trainers and jockeys for the prestigious American Classic. Weather is good this afternoon, sunny and 85 at post time, but they have had some rain this week. Still the track should be OK for the contenders.

Post Positions, horses, trainers, jockeys, odds

1. Goal Oriented, Bob Baffert, Flavien Prat, 6/1

2. Journalism, Michael McCarthy, Umberto Rispoli, 8/5

3. American Promise, D. Wayne Lukas, Nik Juarez, 15/1

4. Heart of Honor, Jamie Osborne, Saffie Osborne, 12/1

5. Pay Billy, Michael Gorman, Raul Mena, 20/1

6. River Thames, Todd Pletcher, Irad Ortiz Jr. 9/2

7. Sandman, Mark Casse, John Velazquez, 4/1

8. Clever Again, Steve Ausmussen, Jose Ortiz, 5/1

9. Gosger, Brendan Walsh, Luis Saez, 20/1

Winner

I’ve always believed in this trainer and he’s had a lot of success, but the Preakness has eluded him. I like him to win the Black Eyed Susan’s race this time with the 32 year old Puerto Rican, Irad Ortiz Jr, aboard. Ortiz Jr has won the Belmont twice in 2016 and 2022. Give me that team and this horse to capture the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes.

River Thames

Place- Clever Again

Show-Journalism