The energy at Pimlico Race Course on May 17, 2025, was weirdly tense. Usually, there’s that "Triple Crown" buzz in the air, but with Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty skipping the race, the vibe was more about redemption than history. Everyone was looking at Journalism. After a heartbreaking second-place finish at Churchill Downs, the colt was the heavy 1-1 favorite.
He didn't disappoint. But man, he made us sweat for it.
The results of Preakness 2025 saw Journalism claw his way back from a messy start to edge out a victory in the final strides. If you were watching the backstretch, you probably thought he was done. He was buried in fifth while Clever Again set a blistering pace. Then, the stretch run happened. Journalism, under a masterful ride by Umberto Rispoli, found a gear most horses just don't have. He hit the wire in 1:55.37, just a half-length ahead of a very game Gosger.
The Official 2025 Preakness Stakes Order of Finish
It wasn't just a two-horse race, though it felt like it in the final hundred yards. Here is how the field of nine crossed the finish line.
Journalism took the lion's share of the $2 million purse, pocketing $1.2 million for his connections. Gosger, the 15-1 longshot who almost pulled off the upset of the decade, grabbed $400,000 for second. Sandman rounded out the top three, finishing a few lengths back but showing he belongs in this company.
The rest of the field finished as follows:
- 4th Place: Goal Oriented
- 5th Place: Heart of Honor
- 6th Place: River Thames
- 7th Place: Pay Billy
- 8th Place: American Promise
- 9th Place: Clever Again
Clever Again basically hit a wall. He led for the first three-quarters of a mile but ended up being eased across the wire. It happens. That Baltimore dirt can be unforgiving when you go too fast too early.
Journalism and the McCarthy Redemption
Trainer Michael McCarthy has been here before. Remember Rombauer in 2021? That was his first Preakness win. This one felt different, though. Journalism came in with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Being the beaten favorite in the Derby is a tough pill to swallow. McCarthy was visibly emotional on the NBC broadcast, talking about the horse's "testament."
Honestly, the horse showed more heart than most people expected. He got caught in traffic early and took some bumps. A lot of horses would have checked out right there. Instead, Journalism stayed professional.
Jockey Umberto Rispoli was the real MVP here. He saved ground along the rail, didn't panic when the leaders pulled away, and timed that final surge perfectly. It was Rispoli’s first Triple Crown win. Not a bad way to get off the mark.
Betting Payouts: Who Actually Made Money?
If you bet the favorite, you didn't get rich. Journalism paid $4.00 to win. That’s even money. Basically, you doubled your gas money.
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The real money was in the exotics because of Gosger. Since a 15-1 shot crashed the party in second place, the payouts for the Exacta and Trifecta were actually decent.
$2.00 Win/Place/Show Payouts:
- Journalism: $4.00 | $2.80 | $2.40
- Gosger: (N/A) | $9.00 | $5.40
- Sandman: (N/A) | (N/A) | $3.60
Exotics Payouts:
- $2.00 Exacta (2-9): $33.80
- $1.00 Trifecta (2-9-7): $73.50
- $1.00 Superfecta (2-9-7-1): $303.40
If you were bold enough to play the $1.00 Exact Five (picking the top five in order), you walked away with $1,767.30. Not a bad Saturday at the track.
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Why These Results of Preakness 2025 Matter for the Belmont
So, what now? The win by Journalism sets up a massive "grudge match" for the Belmont Stakes on June 7. Sovereignty is expected to be back. That means we get the Derby winner versus the Preakness winner at Saratoga (since they’re still using Saratoga while Belmont Park is being renovated).
There's a lot of debate about whether the Triple Crown is "broken" because horses like Sovereignty skip the middle leg. NBC analyst Randy Moss was pretty vocal about it during the pre-race show, noting that the top three Derby finishers rarely show up at Pimlico anymore.
But Journalism proved that the Preakness still produces stars. He’s a son of Curlin, and he’s clearly built for the longer distances.
Practical Steps for Following the Rest of the Season
If you’re looking to keep up with these horses as they head toward the Belmont and the Breeders' Cup later this year, here’s what you should do:
Keep an eye on the "Beyer Speed Figures." Journalism earned a 98 in this race. For context, Seize the Grey ran a 100 in 2024. Journalism is fast, but he might need to find another second of speed to beat Sovereignty on a fresh set of legs.
Follow the workout reports from Saratoga. The Belmont is a different beast, and how Journalism recovers from this hard-fought win at Pimlico will tell you everything you need to know about his chances in June.
Check the health of Clever Again. Finishing last after leading is usually a sign of either exhaustion or a minor injury. If he shows up in an underdog spot later this summer, he might be a "bounce-back" candidate if his speed figures hold up.
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The 150th running of the Preakness wasn't just about the win; it was about a horse proving he was the best of his generation, even if he didn't get the roses in Kentucky.