The 150th Preakness Stakes sets off this Saturday, May 17, 2025. Festivities take place at Pimlico Race Course, one of the most iconic horse racing venues in the United States. The Preakness is often called the "Run for the Black-Eyed Susans" in reference to the blanket of Black-Eyed Susans, the state flower of Maryland, that is given to the winning horse.
Kentucky Derby winner, Sovereignty, will sit out of the 2025 Preakness Stakes, leaving Journalism as the +120 favorite, followed by Sandman (+350), Goal Oriented (+500), and Clever Again (+800).
Preakness Stakes odds and give his Preakness picks.
When is the 2025 Preakness Stakes?
NBC's live coverage of the 2025 Preakness Stakes will begin at 4:30 pm ET on Saturday, May 17, with post time for the main event set at 6:50 pm ET.
Preakness Stakes Best Bets
River Thames +800
Legendary trainer Todd Pletcher returns to the Preakness with River Thames. While he's yet to win a graded Stakes race, the Colt has challenged at the highest level. In his last outing, River Thames finished third in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, less than a length behind the victor while posting a 95 Beyer Speed Figure.
Additionally, River Thames is the type of speed horse that can press the early pace and stay ahead of the pack. After all, three of the past four Preakness Stakes victors have been in first or second place after the first-half mile. Plus, history is on his side, as seven of the last 10 Preakness winners and 12 of the last 20 have entered the race off a defeat. , River Thames finished second to Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty by a nose in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes in early March, so scooping the Pletcher-trained horse at +800 is excellent value.
Pay Billy +3000
Hear me out on this one, as Pay Billy - tied for the longest odds in the 150th Preakness Stakes field, is worthy of being on your ticket. Pay Billy won the Federico Tesio Stakes in April to earn an automatic berth into the Preakness, and is a nose short of sweeping all four of his 2025 starts.
Now, the colt is 30-to-1 longshot for a reason. But, Pay Billy has shown the ability to stalk the pace, and turn on his speed around the final corner as a three-year-old, so I like him to attack from the back of the pack late and contend for a place in the top-three.
Preakness Stakes – How to bet on the big race
Many Preakness Stakes bettors will be wondering what type of bet they should place, so using our selections above let's share some ideas.
Win - River Thames +800
Thames is the best value bet in the 150th Preakness Stakes.
Win, Place & Show
If you wish to place the minimum stakes of $2, then it will be a $6 investment to wager on your own pick for the Preakness Stakes to win, place, or show.
This is just a fun bet you can have and something to cheer home for this year's Run For The Black-Eyed Susans.
My best bet for the 150th Preakness Stakes is Pay Billy to win, place, or show.
