Preakness Stakes Picks — Betting Preview and Predictions (May 17)

All eyes will be on Pimlico this weekend, as the middle jewel of the Triple Crown is set for Maryland.

The Preakness Stakes is run over a slightly shorter distance than the Kentucky Derby, with 1 3/16 miles set to be covered in Baltimore. Journalism will be a red-hot favorite after finishing second at Churchill Downs, but could the runner go one better at Pimlico?

Odds

Preakness Stakes Recent Winners

Preakness Stakes: Event Information

Event Preview

The middle jewel in the Filly Triple Crown is set for Friday, as the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes will be staged at Pimlico. However, the full attention this weekend will be on Saturday’s Preakness Stakes.

All the focus will be on Journalism, who was beaten by just over a length in the Kentucky Derby last month. This quick turnaround is a concern, but Michael McCarthy is adamant that the three-year-old is in good form. On the strength of his previous efforts, if at the top of his game, he could win by a big distance on Saturday.

Sandman is another runner that is turned around quickly for the Preakness, but I would struggle to get involved after having a hard run when seventh in the Derby last month.

River Thames is likely a must for all exotic players. The three-year-old will bring the fresh angle into this race after bypassing the Derby. The Todd Plether runner will have Irad Ortiz aboard, and he was excellent when taking second in the Fountain of Youth Stakes earlier this year.

Wire-to-wire winners aren’t unusual in the Preakness, meaning that the fresh Clever Again deserves huge respect. The three-year-old will have Jose Ortiz aboard, and was excellent with the front-running tactics when winning the Hot Springs Stakes in March.

Preakness Stakes Picks

The fact that Journalism is back in action just two weeks after the Derby raises alarm bells. Therefore, the chance is taken on the well-rested Clever Again for Steven Asmussen.

Front-running tactics have a proven record in the Preakness, and it was hard not to have been impressed by his six-length win over Gaming last time out. Journalism and River Thames are obvious Exotics angles.

Meanwhile, Heart Of Honor is a fascinating international contender after being narrowly denied over shorter trips in the Middle East. Despite that, the booking of Saffie Osbourne is eye-catching, and he could out-run his odds.