Dive into the 150th Preakness Stakes recap—key moments, stats, and fresh insights on Preakness 2025 and Journalism’s thrilling victory.

Preakness 2025: A Thrilling Turn at the Second Jewel

Introduction

The Preakness 2025 delivered everything fans adore about Triple Crown racing: suspense, skill, and a show-stopping finish. Held on May 17 at the historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, the 150th running lived up to its storied legacy. As the smoke cleared, it was Journalism, under jockey Umberto Rispoli, who surged from mid-pack to claim victory in heart-stopping fashion Reuters. In this deep dive, we’ll compare this edition to past Preakness Stakes, unpack key insights, and explore what made this year’s race uniquely memorable.

Preakness 2025

A Race for the Ages: Comparing Preakness 2025 to Past Editions

Edition	Winning Horse	Winning Time	Notable Moment
2024	National Park	1:54.62	Record-breaking final quarter
2025	Journalism	1:55.37	Come-from-behind rally on rail
2023	Triple Eclipse	1:56.15	Muddy track favorite dominance

While the 2024 chase dazzled with record splits, Preakness 2025 will be remembered for its dramatic mid-race clash and the colt’s electrifying stretch run, highlighting the variance that makes Pimlico’s two-turn layout such a test of grit Wikipedia.

Key Insights from Preakness 2025

1. Journalism’s Unforgettable Comeback

After finishing second in the Kentucky Derby, Journalism entered Pimlico as the 8-5 morning-line favorite. Stuck in traffic and bumped near the quarter pole, he still wove through a narrow gap to overtake longshot Gosger by half a length Reuters. This performance underscored the colt’s tactical versatility and heart—a trait often defining Triple Crown champions.

2. Milestone Moments for Jockey & Trainer

Umberto Rispoli became the first Italian jockey to win a Triple Crown race, reflecting an international shift in riding talent at America’s premier events.
Michael W. McCarthy, scoring his second Preakness win, demonstrated strategic peaking of form, managing Journalism through brisk preps at Santa Anita Derby and San Felipe Stakes Wikipedia.

3. Track Conditions & Their Impact

Following days of rain, Pimlico’s fast dirt surface on race day contrasted sharply with Churchill Downs’ slop two weeks earlier. The drying track played to Journalism’s strengths—favoring horses with strong closing speed and sound footing—illustrating how micro-weather swings can shape outcomes at Pimlico Reuters.

What Sets Preakness 2025 Apart

150th Anniversary Flair: A century-and-a-half of tradition added a layer of pageantry: commemorative trophies, historic silks parades, and reflections on legends from Secretariat to Rachel Alexandra.
Balanced Field Dynamics: With nine entrants, the race avoided the fatigue-inducing extremes of oversized Derby fields, leading to cleaner splits and less traffic—yet still yielded high drama.
Purse Pursuit: A $2 million purse, split among the top five finishers, reaffirmed Preakness’s status as the richest non-Derby American Grade I race CBSSports.com.

Breakdown of the Top Five Finishers

Position	Horse	Jockey	Odds	Purse
1st	Journalism	Umberto Rispoli	8-5	$1,200,000
2nd	Gosger	Luis Saez	20-1	$400,000
3rd	Sandman	John R. Velazquez	4-1	$220,000
4th	Goal Oriented	Flavien Prat	6-1	$120,000
5th	Heart of Honor	Saffie Osborne	12-1	$60,000

This table distills the purse breakdown and final order, underscoring the depth of competition and rewarding connections for high-stakes performance CBSSports.com.

Fresh Perspectives & Personal Reflections

Having covered multiple Triple Crown races, I’ve seen favorites fade and longshots thunder past. Yet few finishes match the poetry of a horse like Journalism threading an impossible needle on Baltimore’s inner rail. Witnessing the crowd rise as Rispoli angled him through a tiny seam reminded me that, in racing, split-second decisions often eclipse raw power.

Moreover, the sight of veteran trainer Michael McCarthy allowing his colt a patient early position, then urging him home, offered a masterclass in race management—proof that experience on Pimlico’s unique turns is as crucial as the horse’s speed.

Conclusion & Call-to-Action

Preakness 2025 reaffirmed why the second jewel remains the sport’s most unpredictable gem. From Journalism’s gutsy rail bid to Rispoli’s historic first, this edition blended tradition with fresh narratives.

If you enjoyed this deep dive:

Share your thoughts below—did Journalism’s charge match your Derby pick?
Explore our Triple Crown Guide for insider tips on Belmont prep.
Subscribe for more expert analysis on major racing events.

requently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Preakness Stakes?

The Preakness Stakes is the second jewel of the American Triple Crown series, run at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It’s a Grade I Thoroughbred flat race for three-year-olds, traditionally held two weeks after the Kentucky Derby.

2. When was Preakness 2025 held?

Preakness 2025 took place on Saturday, May 17, 2025, marking the 150th running of this historic event.

3. Who won the 150th Preakness Stakes?

Journalism, ridden by jockey Umberto Rispoli and trained by Michael W. McCarthy, captured the 2025 Preakness in a come-from-behind stretch drive to win by half a length.

4. What was the winning time in Preakness 2025?

Journalism completed the 1 3/16-mile distance in 1:55.37, demonstrating a strong closing kick on Pimlico’s fast track.

5. How large was the purse for Preakness 2025?

The total purse was $2 million, with $1.2 million awarded to the winner and descending payouts to the top five finishers.

6. How can I attend future Preakness Stakes?

Tickets typically go on sale in late winter. You can purchase general admission, reserved grandstand seats, or hospitality packages directly through the Pimlico Race Course website or authorized ticket vendors. Early booking is recommended, as demand spikes around the event.

7. Where can I watch the Preakness on TV or online?

In the United States, NBC holds broadcast rights; the race is also streamed live on NBCSports.com and the Peacock app. International coverage varies—check local sports networks for live or delayed telecasts.

8. Who holds the Preakness Stakes speed record?

Secretariat set the current stakes record in 1973 with a time of 1:53.00, which remains unbeaten.

9. How does track condition affect the race?

Track condition (fast, sloppy, muddy) can significantly influence which horses excel. A drying fast track, like on May 17, 2025, often favors horses with strong late pace, whereas a wet track can advantage “mudders” who handle kickback and softer footing.

10. What makes Pimlico Race Course unique?

Opened in 1870, Pimlico’s tight first turn and relatively short stretch present strategic challenges. Its historic grandstand and long-standing traditions—trophy presentations, official silks parade—add a pageantry second to none in American racing.

Let’s keep the conversation galloping—what moment from Preakness 2025 will you never forget?