As the countdown to the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes continues, notable developments are shaping the field for this historic middle leg of the Triple Crown. Leading the updates is confirmation from Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse that Sandman will be entered for the Preakness. The Tapit colt, who encountered a rough trip in the Kentucky Derby and still managed to finish seventh, has shown encouraging signs in the days since and appears ready to take on the Pimlico challenge. Originally under consideration for the Belmont, Sandman’s connections opted to reroute based on his strong current form and the anticipated race dynamics in Baltimore.
Sandman’s journey through the Derby was hampered by early contact that pushed him to the rear of the field. Despite this, he rallied strongly in the middle stages before flattening out late. His Derby effort follows a dominant victory in the Arkansas Derby and prior solid performances in graded company at Oaklawn. Though his rider for the Preakness remains undecided, Sandman is expected to arrive at Pimlico early in the week.
Meanwhile, fellow contender River Thames continues his preparations under trainer Todd Pletcher. The son of Maclean’s Music breezed a sharp four furlongs in company at Belmont, registering a time that ranked among the best of the morning. River Thames bypassed the Kentucky Derby by design, with connections targeting the Preakness as his next major test. His recent outings have been competitive, including a neck loss to Derby winner Sovereignty in the Fountain of Youth and a third-place finish in the Blue Grass Stakes.
Trainer Brendan Walsh has given the green light for Gosger to contest the Preakness after an eye-catching workout at Keeneland. Partnered in his breeze with a filly aimed at the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, Gosger impressed his connections and looks ready to step forward again following a strong Lexington Stakes win. The colt has shown steady progression in his limited career and now steps into elite company.
Also under consideration for the Preakness is Journalism, whose Kentucky Derby performance left mixed emotions for connections. Despite finishing second behind Sovereignty, the Curlin colt had to overcome significant adversity from the break, including interference and a challenging position. Trainer Michael McCarthy and jockey Umberto Rispoli were praised for their handling of the situation, which saw Journalism make a bold move in the stretch before narrowly yielding to the winner. The team behind Journalism remains upbeat and is weighing a Preakness start based on the colt’s condition post-race.
Veteran trainer D. Wayne Lukas is expected to enter American Promise despite the colt’s disappointing 16th-place finish in the Derby. Lukas, never one to be deterred by a rough outing, believes the Justify colt deserves another shot and noted that many past Preakness winners have rebounded from poor Derby results. American Promise endured a tough trip in Louisville, and Lukas sees Pimlico as an opportunity for redemption.
Clever Again is another rising star likely to join the Preakness lineup. The Steve Asmussen trainee missed significant time due to physical setbacks but has returned in fine form, with recent victories including a dominant effort in the Hot Springs Stakes. Connections opted to bypass the Derby and have mapped a course aimed specifically at the Preakness, believing the colt’s talent and maturity are now peaking.
Trainer Mike Gorham’s Pay Billy is steadily progressing toward a Preakness run after a smooth gallop at Delaware Park. Following a final breeze earlier in the week, the colt is set to ship to Baltimore in the coming days, with Raul Mena confirmed to ride.
Another international flavor comes from Heart of Honor, a son of Honor A. P. who finished runner-up in the UAE Derby. Having recently arrived in the United States from Great Britain, the colt is expected to make his way to Pimlico after clearing quarantine. Trainer Jamie Osborne will aim to have him acclimated and ready for a stateside debut in one of America’s most prestigious races.
As preparations intensify and contenders finalize their plans, the 150th Preakness Stakes is shaping up to be a captivating showdown. With a mix of proven talent, comeback stories, and promising up-and-comers, fans can look forward to a compelling renewal of the Triple Crown’s pivotal second leg.
