As anticipation builds for the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, a number of contenders and connections are adding layers of excitement to the storied middle jewel of the Triple Crown. Among the most prominent headlines is the confirmation that Journalism, the Kentucky Derby runner-up, will contest the Preakness under the guidance of trainer Michael McCarthy. After flying in from California to personally assess his charge at Churchill Downs, McCarthy was reassured by what he saw and gave the green light for the colt to continue his Triple Crown campaign. With a solid gallop under his belt and the support of his connections, Journalism is scheduled to ship to Baltimore and reunite with jockey Umberto Rispoli.
The Derby didn’t quite go according to plan for Journalism, who endured a challenging trip from the break. Despite being shuffled back early, he displayed resilience to regain position and hit the front in the stretch, only to be edged out by Sovereignty. Though disappointed with the start, McCarthy took heart in the colt’s strong finish and believes the shorter Preakness distance won’t pose a problem. With Sovereignty skipping this leg in favor of the Belmont Stakes, McCarthy welcomes another opportunity to showcase his colt’s talents on a slightly different stage.
Adding to the race’s rich narrative is the enduring presence of Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Arriving early at Pimlico, Lukas is set to saddle multiple runners this weekend, including American Promise, who finished down the field in the Derby. Lukas, now 89, reflects fondly on his decades at Pimlico, where he has built an unmatched legacy. While American Promise didn’t show his best at Churchill Downs, Lukas remains confident in the colt’s condition and is optimistic heading into the weekend. With seven Preakness wins already to his name, a victory this year would see Lukas tie Bob Baffert’s record.
Meanwhile, Clever Again, a lightly raced colt from Steve Asmussen’s barn, completed an easy half-mile breeze at Churchill Downs in preparation for his Preakness debut. Assistant Scott Blasi was pleased with the colt’s demeanor and physical condition, describing him as fluid and alert. Owned by a partnership that includes familiar names from the racing world, Clever Again is poised for his graded-stakes debut after two promising performances at Oaklawn Park earlier this year.
Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez is set to partner with Sandman in the Preakness, replacing Jose Ortiz, who guided the colt to a mid-pack Derby finish. Trainer Mark Casse believes Velazquez’s strength and tactical awareness will be a good fit for Sandman. The popular gray shipped from Churchill Downs and will be under the care of Casse’s team at Pimlico as final preparations get underway. Sandman joins Journalism and American Promise as the only Derby alumni set to contest the Preakness, and Casse believes his colt can be competitive, especially with the expected pace scenario.
Several other contenders are making their way to Baltimore, adding further intrigue to the race. Goal Oriented, trained by Bob Baffert, recently turned in a sharp workout and will soon make the trip to Pimlico. The lightly raced colt comes off a visually impressive victory and represents a well-known ownership group with high aspirations. Meanwhile, international runner Heart of Honor, fresh off quarantine after his journey from Europe, had a light exercise session before joining the Preakness field.
Another interesting entrant is Pay Billy, who earned his place in the Preakness by capturing the Federico Tesio Stakes. Trainer Mike Gorham reported that the colt was in good shape following his most recent gallop. He’ll make the trip from Delaware Park along with stablemates targeting other stakes over the weekend.
As the Preakness week unfolds, attention continues to build around each storyline—whether it’s the redemption arc of Journalism, the legendary presence of Lukas, or the emergence of new talent like Clever Again and Goal Oriented. This year’s renewal of the Preakness promises to be both historic and highly competitive, setting the stage for another memorable chapter at Pimlico.
