The 150th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore is all set to go on Saturday, with Journalism the 8-5 favorite in a field of nine 3-year-olds.
The weather forecast looks good, too. Sunny, 77 degrees, and a slight chance of rain at post time (7:01 p.m. ET).
As the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, the Preakness traditionally features the Kentucky Derby champion. Not this time. Derby winner Sovereignty is skipping the race, but will show up in the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the Triple Crown, on June 7 at Saratoga Race Course.
This will be the third time since 2019 that the Derby winner did not run in the Preakness. Of course, that won’t stop bettors from trying to cash winning tickets, be it a $2 win bet, an exacta, or a trifecta.
Here’s what Preakness trainers and jockeys are saying about their horse’s chances (listed by post position):
Trainer Bob Baffert: “He has handled everything we have thrown at him. He is a big, strong horse. This is a tough group; the break is going to be so important for him.”
Jockey Umberto Rispoli: “You can see that it's a very different horse. You don't see many horses come out of the Kentucky Derby acting in the way he's acting like. For him, everything is natural, is normal. Hopefully he's going to carry these qualities even on the Preakness.”
Trainer Michael McCarthy: “I have a lot of confidence in my horse."
Trainer D. Wayne Lukas: “I'm really pleased with him. Good energy. Getting in the feed tub. There is no reason for him not to run well.”
Trainer Jamie Osborne: “Compared to most people here, we’re shooting in the dark. But we understand that. And we’re happy to roll that dice.”
Jockey Raul Mena: “He has been showing a lot of talent, but I’m still waiting to make him run really, really fast to see how fast he can run ... It’s going to be tough (in the Preakness), but I’m optimistic about what he can do running against those kind of horses.”
Trainer Todd Pletcher: “I think any time you have the opportunity to win a Classic that’s definitely something you’d like to achieve. It would be something we’d love to get done.”
Jockey Jose Ortiz: “He’s s done nothing wrong. He earned a spot there. I think he has a really good shot to win.”
Trainer Mark Casse: “I hope he is a factor. I just don’t think we saw the best of him in the Derby. If we did, we’re in trouble.”
Jockey Jose Ortiz: “He’s done nothing wrong. He earned a spot there ... “veryhappy with him, the way he’s going toward the race. He worked amazing two weeks ago. I think he has a really good shot to win.”
Trainer Brendan Walsh: “He's a horse that's still growing, still maturing, and I don't think he's quite there yet.”
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.
