The 150th running of the Preakness Stakes is set to deliver a thrilling chapter in horse racing history. Held at the iconic Pimlico Race Course, this year’s edition not only marks a major milestone for the race, but also promises high drama with a competitive, wide-open field.
While there’s no Triple Crown on the line following Sovereignty’s decision to skip the proceedings, all eyes now turn to Derby runner-up Journalism, rising star Sandman, and a fresh crop of challengers aiming to etch their names into the record books on one of the sport’s most storied stages.
Horse racing can be notoriously difficult to handicap, so we reached out to ChatGPT to find out which thoroughbred will be first across the line. We provided everyone's favorite chatbot with key details about this year's Preakness Stakes horses including speed figures, pedigree analysis, and post positions as well as comprehensive trainer and jockey stats.
We even had ChatGPT consult long-range weather forecasts to consider how track conditions could enhance — or hinder — the race.
It considered the data carefully and, within a matter of seconds, provided us with Preakness Stakes Win, Place, and Show predictions as well as an enticing long shot pick.
The results were far from shocking, but the level of detail was impressive just the same.
The content below has been edited for clarity, length, and accuracy.
🏇 2025 Preakness Stakes Win, Place, Show predictions
🥇 Win: Journalism (8-5)
Journalism enters the Preakness as the clear favorite, and for good reason.
The Kentucky Derby runner-up had already stamped himself as a top contender with a dominant performance in the Santa Anita Derby, where he posted a 108 Brisnet speed figure — the highest among this year’s 3-year-old class. He’s bred to shine at this level, being the son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin (a Preakness winner himself) and Grade 1 mare Mopotism.
His pedigree, combined with tactical speed and consistent efforts throughout the prep season, make him a formidable force.
Trainer Michael McCarthy praised his Derby effort, noting that Journalism “ran a good race against a good horse” despite the sloppy conditions and traffic trouble.
With a faster, cleaner surface expected at Pimlico and a smaller field to navigate, Journalism has every chance to finish what he started at Churchill Downs and capture the 150th Preakness Stakes.
🥈 Place: Sandman (4-1)
Sandman looms as the biggest threat to the favorite and is a strong choice to finish second.
The Arkansas Derby (G1) winner had a compromised trip in the Kentucky Derby, breaking slowly and struggling with the wet track en route to a wide-running seventh-place finish. Trainer Mark Casse admitted the colt “wasn’t handling the track very well” and emphasized that Sandman still managed to make a late move — a promising sign.
With a return to a fast track at Pimlico and a race shape that could feature a swift early pace, Sandman’s closing style may be ideally positioned for a rebound.
Casse knows how to engineer a turnaround — he won the 2019 Preakness with War of Will after a troubled Derby trip — and Sandman brings similar grit and Grade 1 credentials. If the race unfolds to suit his kick, he’s a major player in the exacta and could even push for more.
🥉 Show: Goal Oriented (6-1)
A compelling "new shooter" in this year’s Preakness, Goal Oriented enters the fray with an unbeaten record and the backing of Bob Baffert — a trainer who’s won this race a record eight times.
The colt is 2-for-2 in his young career, most recently winning an allowance race on the Derby undercard at Churchill Downs. While he hasn’t faced stakes company yet — a considerable step up in class — his raw talent and upside have captured the attention of handicappers looking for value.
He’ll be piloted by Flavien Prat, and his pedigree (by Not This Time out of a graded stakes mare) suggests he belongs. If he continues to progress and takes well to the Pimlico surface, Goal Oriented has a real shot to hit the board — and perhaps even shake up the exacta — as this year’s most dangerous unknown.
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🐴 Dark horse candidate to watch
Heart of Honor (12-1)
Heart of Honor, with 12-1 morning-line odds, is a British-bred colt trained by Jamie Osborne.
He has been consistent overseas, finishing second in the UAE Derby at Meydan, narrowly missing victory. This performance indicates his capability to compete at a high level.
Set to make his U.S. debut in the Preakness, Heart of Honor brings a closing style that could be advantageous if the race pace is swift.
His international experience and demonstrated stamina position him as a potential surprise contender, especially if the frontrunners set a demanding early pace.
Can AI beat the odds?
While AI provides data-driven insights, the Preakness Stakes often defies expectations. Factors like race-day conditions, crowd noise, and horse temperament can influence outcomes. Be sure to check our Preakness Stakes odds analysis and the carefully-crafted picks from our in-house experts before wagering on the Run for the Black-Eyed Susans.
Preakness Stakes betting resources
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🔑 Key betting tips for the 2025 Preakness Stakes
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind to get the biggest bang for your buck:
Look for bounce-back candidates: Many recent Preakness winners were coming off a loss (e.g., Sandman).
Use exotics for value: Try exactas, trifectas, and superfectas with a mix of favorites and mid-range contenders (e.g., Journalism/Sandman with Clever Again or Goal Oriented).
Consider post positions + running style: Early speed types on the inside (like Goal Oriented in Post 1) may get a tactical edge. Closers like Sandman and Heart of Honor would benefit from a hot pace up front.
Watch the tote board: Significant late odds movement can signal sharp money or new intel — especially on longshots.
Spread your bankroll: Instead of going all-in on one bet, mix win/place/show bets with small-stakes exotics for balanced risk.
