{"id":34860,"date":"2025-05-16T10:34:06","date_gmt":"2025-05-16T14:34:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/?p=34860"},"modified":"2025-05-16T10:34:08","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T14:34:08","slug":"2025-preakness-stakes-predictions-and-picks-who-will-win-the-second-jewel-of-the-triple-crown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/horse-racing\/2025-preakness-stakes-predictions-and-picks-who-will-win-the-second-jewel-of-the-triple-crown\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Preakness Stakes Predictions and Picks: Who Will Win the Second Jewel of the Triple Crown?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The 150th running of the Preakness Stakes, scheduled for May 17, 2025, promises to deliver excitement, intrigue, and betting opportunities for racing enthusiasts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the Kentucky Derby winner opting out of the race, the field opens up for contenders to seize their moment at Pimlico. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Based on expert insights from <a href=\"https:\/\/wt.buzz\/md\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/wt.buzz\/md\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Marco D&#8217;Angelo<\/a>, and<a href=\"https:\/\/wt.buzz\/sa\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/wt.buzz\/sa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Sean Alvarez<\/a>, here&#8217;s an in-depth breakdown of the top contenders and how bettors should approach this prestigious race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Preakness 2025 Top Contenders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Journalism: The Favorite with a Strong Resume<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite finishing second in the Kentucky Derby, Journalism remains the class of the field. His high buyer speed figures, especially the 108 in the San Felipe, mark him as the most capable three-year-old. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the short turnaround of two weeks is a concern, especially with trainer Michael McCarthy\u2019s limited history of quick returns. Still, his tactical positioning and experience make him the horse to beat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">River Tames: Tactical and Dangerous<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., River Tames skipped the Derby with this race in mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His third-place finish in the Blue Grass Stakes revealed endurance and competitiveness despite signs of fatigue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With a good break, this horse can be in a prime stalking position and make a decisive move down the stretch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Clever Again: Rising Star with Speed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Boasting a triple-digit 101 buyer figure and trained by a high-profile connection, Clever Again is peaking at the right time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He has proven speed and the ability to control the pace if he breaks well. As this is only his third career start, there is room for another step forward, making him a live upset candidate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">American Promise: The Wise Guy Pick<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Disappointing in the Derby due to a chaotic trip, American Promise could redeem himself at Pimlico. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, he&#8217;s expected to sit just behind the leaders and pounce on moderate fractions. Bettors should not ignore this value play, especially if he breaks cleanly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2025 Preakness Horses to Fade<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sandman<\/strong>: Though popular due to social media buzz, his Derby performance exposed limitations. Overbetting due to influencer marketing makes him a poor value.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pay Billy<\/strong>: A feel-good local story with weak speed figures. Lack of class makes him a pass.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Heart of Honor &amp; Gazer<\/strong>: Concerns about shipping form and post position suggest these horses will struggle.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2025 Preakness Best Bets and Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Marco\u2019s top picks are:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Win: Journalism (at 8-5 seen as an overlay)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use in Exotics: Clever Again, American Promise, River Tames<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sean&#8217;s selections include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Win: River Tames<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Value Bets: Goal Oriented, Gazer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use in Exotics: Journalism (not as a win bet)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Both recommend exacta boxes combining Journalism and Grande, suggesting bettors consider blending favorites with value picks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2025 Kentucky Derby Picks and Derby Horses Premium Picks!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Marco D&#8217;Angelo, a long-time horse racing enthusiast, breeder, and owner since 1986, brings decades of hands-on experience to the table. Sean Alvarez, also a veteran bettor, complements Marco&#8217;s insight with sharp analytical skills, having previously nailed high-payout bets like the Mage 15-1 pick in past Derbies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color has-text-color has-background has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/profile\/marco-d-angelo\"><strong>GET MARCO&#8217;S FULL ACCESS PREAKNESS PACKAGE<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color has-text-color has-background has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/profile\/sean-alvarez\"><strong>GET SEAN&#8217;S FULL ACCESS PREAKNESS PACKAGE<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kentucky Derby Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Bettors should structure their tickets around Journalism as a key horse in exactas and trifectas. Add value picks like River Tames and Clever Again in top slots, while sneaking in longshots like American Promise and Gazer for deeper exotics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Avoid favorites driven purely by hype and focus on horses with tactical speed and strong form cycles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"epyt-video-wrapper\"><div  style=\"display: block; margin: 0px auto;\"  id=\"_ytid_63122\"  width=\"870\" height=\"489\"  data-origwidth=\"870\" data-origheight=\"489\" data-facadesrc=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TMHbDWqysBY?enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com&#038;autoplay=0&#038;cc_load_policy=1&#038;cc_lang_pref=&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;loop=0&#038;rel=0&#038;fs=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autohide=2&#038;hl=en_US&#038;theme=dark&#038;color=red&#038;controls=1&#038;disablekb=0&#038;\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__ epyt-facade  epyt-is-override  no-lazyload\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-spai-excluded=\"true\" class=\"epyt-facade-poster skip-lazy\" loading=\"lazy\"  alt=\"2025 Preakness Stakes Picks, Predictions and Odds | How to Bet the Preakness | Pony Pundits\"  src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/TMHbDWqysBY\/maxresdefault.jpg\"  \/><button class=\"epyt-facade-play\" aria-label=\"Play\"><svg data-no-lazy=\"1\" height=\"100%\" version=\"1.1\" viewBox=\"0 0 68 48\" width=\"100%\"><path class=\"ytp-large-play-button-bg\" d=\"M66.52,7.74c-0.78-2.93-2.49-5.41-5.42-6.19C55.79,.13,34,0,34,0S12.21,.13,6.9,1.55 C3.97,2.33,2.27,4.81,1.48,7.74C0.06,13.05,0,24,0,24s0.06,10.95,1.48,16.26c0.78,2.93,2.49,5.41,5.42,6.19 C12.21,47.87,34,48,34,48s21.79-0.13,27.1-1.55c2.93-0.78,4.64-3.26,5.42-6.19C67.94,34.95,68,24,68,24S67.94,13.05,66.52,7.74z\" fill=\"#f00\"><\/path><path d=\"M 45,24 27,14 27,34\" fill=\"#fff\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button><\/div><\/div><span itemprop=\"video\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/VideoObject\"><meta itemprop=\"embedUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TMHbDWqysBY\"><meta itemprop=\"name\" content=\"2025 Preakness Stakes Picks, Predictions and Odds | How to Bet the Preakness | Pony Pundits\"><meta itemprop=\"description\" content=\"Get ready for the 150th Run for the Roses with top handicappers Marco D&#039;Angelo, Kelly Stewart, and Sean Alvarez! Direct from Las Vegas, this powerhouse trio breaks down the 2025 Preakness sharing expert predictions, longshot picks, and betting strategies to help you cash in on the biggest race of the year. What You&#039;ll Get: -Top contenders and underdog picks for the Preakness -Proven betting tips from professional handicappers -Analysis of odds, track conditions, and key race factors About the Experts: Marco D&#039;Angelo: Veteran handicapper with over 40 years of experience, known for his 25-game baseball win streak and 26-8 College Football Game of the Year record. Kelly Stewart: WagerTalk\u2019s betting queen, delivering sharp insights and free sports picks straight from Vegas. Sean Alvarez: Rising star in sports betting, offering fresh perspectives and data-driven predictions. Introduction 00:00 Why Does Marco Like the Preakness 00:25 Why Would a Horse NOT Chase a Triple Crown? 02:45 Promo Code MD10 05:15 No. 1 Goal Oriented (Marco) 05:55 No. 2 Journalism (Sean) 07:45 No. 3 American Promise (Marco) 09:49 No. 4 Heart of Honor (Sean) 13:14 No. 5 Pay Billy (Marco) 14:45 No. 6 River Thames (Sean) 16:27 Sean&#039;s Full Premium Preakness Card 18:32 No. 7 Sandman (Marco) 18:55 No. 8 Clever Again (Sean) 20:50 No. 9 Gosger (Marco) 22:45 Sean\u2019s Top Selections for The Preakness 24:40 Marco\u2019s Top Selections for The Preakness 28:18 Who are your top horses? 33:00 #preakness | #HorseRacing | #horseracingtips \ud83c\udfc7 2025 Preakness Stakes Overview Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025 Start Time: 7:01 PM EDT Location: Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, MD Broadcast: NBC and Peacock (coverage from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM EDT) Distance: 1 3\/16 miles Purse: $2 million \ud83c\udfc7 Top Contenders for the 2025 Preakness Stakes Journalism (8-5): The clear favorite after finishing second in the Kentucky Derby. River Thames (9-2): A strong contender with impressive recent performances. Clever Again (5-1): Well-positioned for a strong start and potentially undervalued in the betting market. Goal Oriented (6-1): Bob Baffert\u2019s undefeated colt, drawing attention with two career wins. Sandman (4-1): Finished seventh in the Derby, looking to improve at Pimlico. Gosger (20-1): A long shot coming off a strong win at the Lexington Stakes, showing promising speed figures. Notably absent is Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty, who will skip the Preakness and aim directly for the Belmont Stakes, eliminating a Triple Crown possibility this year. \ud83c\udfc6 Preakness Stakes Winners (2020\u20132024) 2024: Seize the Grey \u2013 Jockey: Jaime Torres | Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas | Time: 1:56.82 2023: National Treasure \u2013 Jockey: John Velazquez | Trainer: Bob Baffert | Time: 1:55.12 2022: Early Voting \u2013 Jockey: Jose Ortiz | Trainer: Chad Brown | Time: 1:54.54 2021: Rombauer \u2013 Jockey: Flavien Prat | Trainer: Michael McCarthy | Time: 1:53.62 2020: Swiss Skydiver \u2013 Jockey: Robby Albarado | Trainer: Kenneth McPeek | Time: 1:53.28 \ud83c\udfa5 Don&#039;t miss the excitement of the 2025 Preakness Stakes! Tune in to NBC or stream on Peacock to watch the action unfold live from Pimlico Race Course. \ud83d\udc4d Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to WagerTalk TV; \ud83d\udd14 CLICK the Bell and never miss an episode! \ud83e\udd11 Free Sports Picks: https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/free-sports-picks \ud83d\udcca Live Odds: https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/odds \ud83d\uddde\ufe0f News: https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news \ud83d\udc4d Stay connected with WagerTalk \ud83d\udcfa YouTube: https:\/\/wt.buzz\/tv \ud83d\udc4d Facebook: https:\/\/wt.buzz\/fb \ud83d\udc26 Twitter: https:\/\/wt.buzz\/tw \ud83d\udcf8 Instagram: https:\/\/wt.buzz\/ig \ud83d\udcf0 Reddit: https:\/\/wt.buzz\/rd \u2764\ufe0f iHeart Radio: https:\/\/wt.buzz\/iheart \ud83c\udf4e Apple Podcasts: https:\/\/wt.buzz\/ap \ud83d\udccc Pinterest: https:\/\/wt.buzz\/pin\"><meta itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/TMHbDWqysBY\/0.jpg\"><meta itemprop=\"duration\" content=\"PT33M30S\"><meta itemprop=\"uploadDate\" content=\"2025-05-16T00:29:47Z\"><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Horse-racing-guide-576x1024.png\" alt=\"What Time Does the Kentucky Derby Start 2024\" class=\"wp-image-18235\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Horse-racing-guide-576x1024.png 576w, https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Horse-racing-guide-169x300.png 169w, https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Horse-racing-guide.png 720w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 150th running of the Preakness Stakes, scheduled for May 17, 2025, promises to deliver excitement, intrigue, and betting opportunities for racing enthusiasts. With the Kentucky Derby winner opting out of the race, the field opens up for contenders to seize their moment at Pimlico. Based on expert insights from Marco D&#8217;Angelo, and Sean Alvarez, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17996,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[825],"tags":[14231,14232,14237,14225,14229,14227,14228,14226],"class_list":["post-34860","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-horse-racing","tag-2025-preakness","tag-2025-preakness-picks","tag-2025-preakness-predictions","tag-preakness","tag-preakness-odds","tag-preakness-picks","tag-preakness-predictions","tag-preakness-preview"],"basic_html":"\n<p>The 150th running of the Preakness Stakes, scheduled for May 17, 2025, promises to deliver excitement, intrigue, and betting opportunities for racing enthusiasts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>With the Kentucky Derby winner opting out of the race, the field opens up for contenders to seize their moment at Pimlico. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Based on expert insights from <a href=\"https:\/\/wt.buzz\/md\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/wt.buzz\/md\">Marco D'Angelo<\/a>, and<a href=\"https:\/\/wt.buzz\/sa\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/wt.buzz\/sa\"> Sean Alvarez<\/a>, here's an in-depth breakdown of the top contenders and how bettors should approach this prestigious race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Preakness 2025 Top Contenders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Journalism: The Favorite with a Strong Resume<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Despite finishing second in the Kentucky Derby, Journalism remains the class of the field. His high buyer speed figures, especially the 108 in the San Felipe, mark him as the most capable three-year-old. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>However, the short turnaround of two weeks is a concern, especially with trainer Michael McCarthy\u2019s limited history of quick returns. Still, his tactical positioning and experience make him the horse to beat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">River Tames: Tactical and Dangerous<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., River Tames skipped the Derby with this race in mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>His third-place finish in the Blue Grass Stakes revealed endurance and competitiveness despite signs of fatigue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>With a good break, this horse can be in a prime stalking position and make a decisive move down the stretch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Clever Again: Rising Star with Speed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Boasting a triple-digit 101 buyer figure and trained by a high-profile connection, Clever Again is peaking at the right time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>He has proven speed and the ability to control the pace if he breaks well. As this is only his third career start, there is room for another step forward, making him a live upset candidate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">American Promise: The Wise Guy Pick<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Disappointing in the Derby due to a chaotic trip, American Promise could redeem himself at Pimlico. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, he's expected to sit just behind the leaders and pounce on moderate fractions. Bettors should not ignore this value play, especially if he breaks cleanly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2025 Preakness Horses to Fade<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2025 Preakness Best Bets and Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Marco\u2019s top picks are:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sean's selections include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Both recommend exacta boxes combining Journalism and Grande, suggesting bettors consider blending favorites with value picks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2025 Kentucky Derby Picks and Derby Horses Premium Picks!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Marco D'Angelo, a long-time horse racing enthusiast, breeder, and owner since 1986, brings decades of hands-on experience to the table. Sean Alvarez, also a veteran bettor, complements Marco's insight with sharp analytical skills, having previously nailed high-payout bets like the Mage 15-1 pick in past Derbies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kentucky Derby Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Bettors should structure their tickets around Journalism as a key horse in exactas and trifectas. Add value picks like River Tames and Clever Again in top slots, while sneaking in longshots like American Promise and Gazer for deeper exotics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Avoid favorites driven purely by hype and focus on horses with tactical speed and strong form cycles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<iframe src='https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TMHbDWqysBY?origin=https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com'><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Horse-racing-guide-576x1024.png\" alt=\"What Time Does the Kentucky Derby Start 2024\" class=\"wp-image-18235\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h2>\n","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34860","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34860"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34860\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34861,"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34860\/revisions\/34861"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17996"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34860"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34860"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34860"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}