Get caught up with Goal Oriented's past performances, jockey, trainer, Preakness Stakes odds and full analysis heading into the second leg of the Triple Crown.
Trainer Bob Baffert had initially hoped to enter Rodriguez in the Preakness Stakes after a minor foot issue kept him out of the Kentucky Derby. But on May 9, just one day after giving the green light, Baffert scratched Rodriguez again in favor of Goal Oriented—a lightly raced colt from the same ownership group.
Now the spotlight shifts to Goal Oriented, who steps into Grade 1 company for just his third career race. He is not the favorite on the Preakness Stakes odds (6-1) because he’s never gone farther than 1 1/16 miles and has only a two-week turnaround from his last start. Even for Baffert, who’s captured a record eight Preakness titles, it’s a bold move.
Still, Baffert doesn’t seem fazed by the 1 3/16-mile distance or the quick turnaround.
“Won’t be an issue for him,” he told drf.com. “Some horses are built for this. I think he’s one of them—he’s got real talent.”
Goal Oriented’s pedigree backs up the confidence. His dam is a half-sister to turf star Lady Eli, and his maternal grandsire, Afleet Alex, won both the Preakness and Belmont in 2005. “You don’t find brilliance in a pedigree often,” said co-owner Tom Ryan. “This one has it.”
Like most of Baffert’s juveniles, Goal Oriented has natural speed. He flashed it winning on Derby Day at Churchill Downs, wiring the field over a sloppy track in an allowance optional claimer at 8.5 furlongs. But he’s not all speed—his debut win came from off the pace, where he rallied from sixth to score by over three lengths.
“We put him on the front end last time because of the track,” Baffert said. “But he doesn’t need the lead to win.”
With Baffert in his corner and Flavien Prat in the irons, Goal Oriented will likely take more money than he should. Don’t ignore him in your Preakness Stakes betting strategy—but consider using him more defensively in your plays.
Notes: Baffert has long favored the more relaxed vibe of the Preakness compared to the intensity of Derby week. He took last year’s edition with National Treasure. With Pimlico slated for a major overhaul, the 2025 Preakness could be one of the last at the historic site until its expected return in 2027 after a temporary relocation to Laurel.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
