Best Bets for Preakness Stakes: Picks for Win, Place & Show

• I’ve made my best bets for the 2025 Preakness Stakes on Saturday
• Clever Again is my top pick to win the second leg of the Triple Crown
• Read below for my Preakness Stakes winner pick, place and show bets, along with odds

The 150th running of the Preakness Stakes is set for Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. While Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty is skipping the second leg of the Triple Crown, a competitive field of nine horses will still battle it out for a chance at glory in the Run for the Black-Eyed Susans.

As always, I’ve done the research and analysis to bring you my top picks for the win, place, and show bets. Let’s dive in and see who I think has the best chance to shine at Pimlico.

Best Bet to Win the Preakness Stakes: Clever Again (+500)

My top pick to win the 2025 Preakness is Clever Again, trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Jose Ortiz. This lightly raced colt has shown serious talent in his three career starts, with two wins and a second-place finish.

Clever Again’s most recent victory in the Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn Park was particularly impressive. He led from start to finish and posted a blistering 101 Beyer Speed Figure, making him one of only two horses in the Preakness field with a triple-digit speed figure.

While he’s shown a preference for front-running in his previous races, I expect Clever Again to sit just behind the leaders in the Preakness, particularly Goal Oriented, and make his move at the top of the stretch. With his improving form and strong pedigree (he’s a son of American Pharoah), Clever Again could be peaking at just the right time.

At generous 5-1 odds, Clever Again offers excellent value for bettors looking for a solid win bet.

Preakness Stakes Place Bet Prediction: Journalism (+160)

Although I’m not picking him to win, it’s hard to ignore the talent and consistency of Journalism, the Kentucky Derby runner-up and morning-line favorite for the Preakness.

Trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Journalism has hit the board in all six of his career starts, with three wins and a second-place finish in the Derby. His 108 Beyer Speed Figure from the San Felipe Stakes is the fastest of any three-year-old this season.

The two-week turnaround from the Derby is a slight concern, but Journalism’s running style should be a perfect fit for the Preakness. With several front-runners likely to set a hot early pace, Journalism can stalk just off the leaders and use his strong finishing kick to secure a top-two finish.

While his 8-5 odds don’t offer much value for a win bet, Journalism is a solid choice for your place bets and a must-use in exotic wagers like the exacta and trifecta.

Preakness Stakes Show Best Bet: River Thames (+450)

For my show bet, I’m going with River Thames, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. This colt has been remarkably consistent in his four career starts, with two wins, a second, and a third, never finishing more than a length behind the winner.

River Thames skipped the Kentucky Derby to focus on the Preakness, a move that could pay dividends with the extra rest and preparation. He’s posted Beyer Speed Figures between 92-95 in all of his races, suggesting he has the talent to compete at this level.

I expect River Thames to sit third or fourth early in the race, just behind the leaders. This running style should give him an advantage over the deep closers when they turn for home, and his consistency makes him a solid choice to round out your trifecta or superfecta tickets.

At 9-2 odds, River Thames offers good value for a show bet and could even surprise with a second-place finish if the pace scenario plays out in his favor.

Preakness Longshots to Watch

While my top picks represent the most likely winners, there are a few longshots worth considering for your exotic wagers or if you’re feeling bold:

• Goal Oriented (6-1): Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Flavien Prat, this lightly-raced colt has won both of his career starts and could be the pacesetter from the rail post position.
• Gosger (20-1): A closer who won the Lexington Stakes last time out, Gosger could benefit from a hot early pace and sneak into the top three at a big price.
• American Promise (15-1): Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, this colt faded in the Kentucky Derby but could rebound with a better trip in the Preakness.

Odds to Win Preakness Stakes 2025

Odds as of May 17 at FanDuel. Grab a FanDuel promo code to bet on Preakness, or check out other Horse Racing betting apps.

Final Thoughts on Preakness

The 2025 Preakness Stakes might not have the buzz of a Triple Crown contender, but it’s still going to be an exciting and competitive race. If you pay attention to horses with the right running styles, solid form, and good odds, you can set yourself up for a nice payday at the races.

My top picks – Clever Again to win, Journalism to place, and River Thames to show – represent a solid foundation for your Preakness wagers. Consider using them in combination with some of the longshots I mentioned above for your exotic bets, and don’t be afraid to spread your money around a bit in what looks like an open race.

As always, remember to bet responsibly and enjoy the thrill of the 150th Preakness Stakes. Good luck!