2025 Preakness Stakes betting guide and tips

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The Preakness Stakes forms part of America’s famous Triple Crown series and is second only to the Kentucky Derby in terms of attendance and fanfare.

Needless to say, the Preakness calls to fans of horse racing everywhere and brings in crowds in the hundreds of thousands. All visitors bask in the spirited atmosphere that fans can only experience at the racetrack, but fans who can’t attend can get in on the action as well.

The “Run for the Black-eyed Susans” is a must-bet for US horse racing enthusiasts. The 150th running of the Preakness Stakes takes place on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

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2025 Preakness Stakes odds and betting favorites

Below are the morning line odds for the 2025 Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May, 17:

PostHorseTrainerJockeyMorning Line Odds
1Goal OrientedBob BaffertFlavien Prat6-1
2JournalismMichael W. McCarthyUmberto Rispoli8-5
3American PromiseD. Wayne LukasNik Juarez15-1
4Heart of HonorJamie OsborneSaffie Osborne12-1
5Pay BillyMichael GorhamRaul Mena20-1
6River ThamesTodd PletcherIrad Ortiz Jr.9-2
7SandmanMark E. CasseJohn Velazquez4-1
8Clever AgainSteve AsmussenJose Ortiz5-1
9GosgerBrendan WalshLuis Saez20-1

In 2024, Seize the Grey won the Preakness in a time of 1:56:82. The 9-1 favorite outraced the field on a sloppy track to collect $1.2 million.

A year earlier, Kentucky Derby-winner Mage finished third in the Preakness, with National Treasure winning in a time of 1:55:12. This year’s winner of the Kentucky Derby, Sovereignty, will not run in the Preakness, so there will not be a Triple Crown winner in 2025.

Preakness Stakes special traditions

Many traditions surround the Preakness Stakes. One of them includes singing the state’s official state song, “Maryland, My Maryland.”

After the winner of the race is announced, the “painting of the colors” takes place. During this tradition, a painter adds the color of the winning team’s silk to the jock-and-horse weathervane on the peak of the Old Clubhouse.

Black-eyed Susans are Maryland’s state flower, leading to its “Run for the Black-eyed Susans” nickname. This is also a nod to the Kentucky Derby’s nickname of the “Run for the Roses.” The winning horse of the Preakness is draped with a blanket of Viking poms, a type of chrysanthemum, which only adds to the prestige of the event.

Prior to 1932, the Preakness Stakes ran before the Kentucky Derby. Since then, however, the Preakness takes place two weeks after the Derby, as the second race in the Triple Crown, with the third leg, the Belmont Stakes, running three weeks after the Preakness in Elmont, NY.

Should the same horse win the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes, the winner can claim the Triple Crown title.

How to bet on the Preakness Stakes

Betting on the Preakness Stakes can be a lucrative move for savvy horse racing punters. If you’re new to placing wagers on horse racing, though, don’t worry. It’s easy to set up an account at most sites that offer wagering on horse races, including on the Preakness.

Most sites are user-friendly and offer tips to help you place bets on the Preakness and other races. Not only that, you can compare betting sites to find the ones that work best for you. Playfecta likes FanDuel Racing because of its welcome bonus and easy-to-use interface.

Online Preakness betting

The rich history of US horse racing and the ancient roots of the sport have made it a beloved pastime. These days, horse racing is a cultural event and entertaining, too. Tracks exist in almost every state. Naturally, where there is a spirit of competition and horses running, you’ll find a way to bet on the outcome.

The only way to bet on the horses used to be at the track. Now, however, you can wager online using your laptoptablet, or smartphone.

There are a plethora of horse racing betting sites and apps available in states that allow wagering on horse races.

Betting at the teller

The most traditional method of betting on a horse race is at the racetrack itself. When you step up to the counter at Pimlico Race Course for the Preakness Stakes, you are following a tradition set way back in 1873.

If you’re new to the racetrack, this can be intimidating. How can you place your bet and sound like you know what you’re doing? How can you sound confident in your wager? Betting at horse races can be complicated, so here’s what you need to know.

When you step up to the teller, make sure you place your bet in the proper order for maximum efficiency. This concise method ensures that you streamline the process and don’t hold up the line behind you.

First, give the teller the racetrack and the race number, especially if you’re watching the race at your local track or off-track betting site instead of at Pimlico.

Then, give the amount of your bet, the type of bet that you’ll be wagering, and the number of the horse. Therefore, your bet could sound something like: “At Pimlico, Race 4, $2 to win on No. 5.”

Make sure you keep your ticket safe. You will need it to claim your prize if you’ve placed a winning bet.

Off-track betting

Do you want to bet on a horse race without going online but can’t make it to the track? Off-track betting (OTB) facilities are your best option.

At an OTB, you can place bets on horses to win, place or show in a secure location. Newcomers to horse racing betting would be shrewd to consider starting with low bets, though. That way, you can subsequently increase the amount spent as your comfort grows with experience race after race.

The Preakness Stakes is a high-energy, exciting race to bet on and has the power to turn dimes into big dollars. Nevertheless, off-track betting is not just an option for this race. It is also available for regular days at the racetrack.

It’s open season when the Preakness Stakes field is announced, so it’s great that you’ve got many ways to jump into the betting action. Online, teller, or off track, the choice is yours.

Is betting on the Preakness Stakes legal?

Bettors in the US may be familiar with most of the online gambling laws in the country and how they vary from state to state. However, a lot of people are not aware that betting on horse racing is 100% legal.

At the racetrack, anyone of legal age can place wagers on horse races due to the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978. Later, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 solidified it.

When it comes to online betting, more than 40 states allow legal online horse race betting. As with betting at the track or at an OTB site, there are age restrictions. Some states allow betting at 18 years of age, while others require bettors to be 21 years old. So, check with your local and state laws before you try to place a bet.

Offshore betting sites are available, but we strongly warn against using those sites. They are unregulated and illegal, which puts users at a high risk when betting money.

Types of bets

The types of bets can be overwhelming for those new to horse race wagering. There are two types: straight and exotic.

  • Straight bets are your standard win, place, or show wagers. Meanwhile, exotic bets hinge on the horses placing in a specific order.
  • Exotic bets hinge on the horses placing in a specific order and are more risky, and so they offer a higher reward.
  • Win bet is a bet on the horse you think will win outright.
  • Place bet is a wager on the horse you think will finish in either first or second.
  • Show bet pays the least of all, but it’s the least risky. It is a wager on the horse you think will finish first, second, or third in the race.
  • Exacta bet predicts two horses in the correct order finishing first and second.
  • Trifecta bet predicts three horses in the correct order for first through third place.
  • Superfecta bet predicts four horses in the correct order for first through fourth place.
  • Super high-five bet predicts five horses in the right order for first through fifth place and pays the most.

How does the Preakness work

Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore is the second-oldest racetrack in the US. As such, it is one of the most essential places in US horse racing history. It’s earned the name “Old Hilltop” over its many years among trainers and race enthusiasts.

Pimlico Race Course hosts the Preakness Stakes at 9.5 furlongs or 1-3/16 miles. It is a 1-mile dirt oval, which can be marvelous on the typical Baltimore sunny day in May. However, as history has proven, rain on race day can slow the field significantly and result in a much sloppier race.

Some contend that Pimlico cannot host a fair race anymore. It has been statistically proven that the middle lanes offer an advantage to horses that run in the Preakness Stakes. In the past 52 years, there are only two horses that have won from a position on the rail. Meanwhile, most winners come from post four or higher.

As the Preakness approaches its 150th birthday, major renovations are underway at the Pimlico Race Course to upgrade the track and the facilities. In fact, the track has been closed since September 2024 and will be opened only for the 2025 Preakness Stakes. The 2026 Preakness will be held at Laurel Park in Maryland, with Pimlico expected to be available in 2027 for the 152nd running of the Preakness.

How to watch and stream the race online

The Preakness Stakes draws a lot of attention in the US horse racing world. In 2024, more than 5 million people tuned in to watch the Preakness Stakes on NBC Sports and its affiliates.

Fans can stream the Preakness Stakes at NBCSports.com and on the NBC Sports app.

History of the Preakness Stakes

At the first Preakness Stakes in 1873, Survivor won by a considerable margin of 10 lengths. True to his name, Survivor held the record for the greatest margin of victory for 131 years. The mark was eventually beaten in 2004 by Smarty Jones, who finished by a margin of 11.5 lengths.

One of the most famous horses in American horse racing history, Secretariat, holds the fastest time on record for the Preakness Stakes. Considered the best racehorse in the history of racing, Secretariat demolished the course in 1973 with a time of 1:53:00. The legendary American thoroughbred also holds the track records at the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes.

The jockey who holds the most Preakness Stakes’ wins is Eddie Arcaro with six wins in the 1940s and 1950s.

Here is the list of all the winning horses of the Preakness Stakes:

YearHorseJockeyTime
2024Seize the GreyJaime A. Torres1:56:82
2023National TreasureJ.R. Velazquez1:55:12
2022Early VotingJose Ortiz1:54.54
2021RombauerFlavien Prat1:53.62
2020Swiss SkydiverRobby Albarado1:53.28
2019War of WillTyler Gaffalione1:54.34
2018JustifyMike Smith1:55.93
2017Cloud ComputingJavier Castellano1:55.98
2016ExaggeratorKent Desormeaux1:58.31
2015American PharoahVictor Espinoza1:58.46
2014California ChromeVictor Espinoza1:54.84
2013OxbowGary Stevens1:57.54
2012I'll Have AnotherMario Gutierrez1:55.94
2011ShacklefordJesus Castanon1:56.47
2010Lookin At LuckyMartin Garcia1:55.47
2009Rachel AlexandraCalvin Borel1:55.08
2008Big BrownKent Desormeaux1:54.86
2007CurlinRobby Albarado1:53.46
2006BernardiniJavier Castellano1:54.65
2005Afleet AlexJeremy Rose1:55.04
2004Smarty JonesStewart Elliott1:55.59
2003Funny CideJose Santos1:55.61
2002War EmblemVictor Espinoza1:56.40
2001Point GivenGary Stevens1:55.40
2000Red BulletJerry Bailey1:56.00
1999CharismaticChris Antley1:55.20
1998Real QuietKent Desormeaux1:54.60
1997Silver CharmGary Stevens1:54.80
1996Louis QuatorzePat Day1:53.40
1995Timber CountryPat Day1:54.40
1994Tabasco CatPat Day1:56.40
1993Prairie BayouMike Smith1:56.60
1992Pine BluffChris McCarron1:55.60
1991HanselJerry Bailey1:54.00
1990Summer SquallPat Day1:53.60
1989Sunday SilencePat Valenzuela1:53.80
1988Risen StarEd Delahoussaye1:56.20
1987AlyshebaChris McCarron1:55.80
1986Snow ChiefAlex Solis1:54.80
1985Tank's ProspectPat Day1:53.40
1984Gate DancerAngel Cordero1:53.60
1983Deputed TestamonyDonnie Miller Jr.1:55.40
1982Aloma's RulerJack Kaenel1:55.40
1981Pleasant ColonyJorge Velasquez1:54.60
1980CodexAngel Cordero1:54.20
1979Spectacular BidRonnie Franklin1:54.20
1978Affirmed Steve Cauthen1:54.40
1977Seattle Slew Jean Cruguet1:54.40
1976ElocutionistJohn Lively1:55.00
1975Master DerbyDarrel McHargue1:56.40
1974Little CurrentMiguel A. Rivera1:54.60
1973Secretariat Ron Turcotte1:53.00
1972Bee Bee BeeEldon Nelson1:55.60
1971Canonero IIGustavo Avila1:54.00
1970PersonalityEddie Belmonte1:56.20
1969Majestic PrinceBill Hartack1:55.60
1968Forward PassIsmael Valenzuela1:56.80
1967DamascusBill Shoemaker1:55.20
1966Kauai KingDon Brumfield1:55.40
1965Tom RolfeRon Turcotte1:56.20
1964Northern DancerBill Hartack1:56.80
1963Candy SpotsBill Shoemaker1:56.20
1962Greek MoneyJohn L. Rotz1:56.20
1961Carry BackJohnny Sellers1:57.60
1960Bally AcheBobby Ussery1:57.60
1959Royal OrbitWilliam Harmatz1:57.00
1958Tim TamIsmael Valenzuela1:57.20
1957Bold RulerEddie Arcaro1:56.20
1956FabiusBill Hartack1:58.40
1955NashuaEddie Arcaro1:54.60
1954Hasty RoadJohn H. Adams1:57.40
1953Native DancerEric Guerin1:57.80
1952Blue ManConn McCreary1:57.40
1951BoldEddie Arcaro1:56.40
1950Hill PrinceEddie Arcaro1:59.20
1949CapotTed Atkinson1:56.00
1948Citation Eddie Arcaro2:02.40
1947FaultlessDouglas Dodson1:59.00
1946Assault Warren Mehrtens2:01.40
1945PolynesianWayne D. Wright1:58.80
1944PensiveConn McCreary1:59.20
1943Count Fleet Johnny Longden1:57.40
1942AlsabBasil James1:57.00
1941Whirlaway Eddie Arcaro1:58.80
1940BimelechFred A. Smith1:58.60
1939ChalledonGeorge Seabo1:59.80
1938DauberMaurice Peters1:59.80
1937War Admiral Charley Kurtsinger1:58.40
1936Bold VentureGeorge Woolf1:59.00
1935Omaha Willie Saunders1:58.40
1934High QuestRobert Jones1:58.20
1933Head PlayCharley Kurtsinger2:02.00
1932Burgoo KingEugene James1:59.80
1931MateGeorge Ellis1:59.00
1930Gallant Fox Earl Sande2:00.60
1929Dr. FreelandLouis Schaefer2:01.60
1928VictorianRaymond Workman2:00.20
1927BostonianWhitey Abel2:01.60
1926DisplayJohn Maiben1:59.80
1925CoventryClarence Kummer1:59.00
1924Nellie Morse John Merimee1:57.20
1923VigilBenny Marinelli1:53.60
1922PilloryLouis Morris1:51.60
1921BroomspunFrank Coltiletti1:54.20
1920Man o' WarClarence Kummer1:51.60
1919Sir Barton Johnny Loftus1:53.00
1918War CloudJohnny Loftus1:53.60
1918Jack Hare, Jr.Charles Peak1:53.40
1917KalitanEverett Haynes1:54.40
1916DamroschLinus McAtee1:54.80
1915Rhine Maiden Douglas Hoffman1:58.00
1914HolidayAndy Schuttinger1:53.80
1913BuskinJames Butwell1:53.40
1912Colonel HollowayClarence Turner1:56.60
1911WatervaleEddie Dugan1:51.00
1910LayminsterRoy Estep1:40.60
1909EffendiWillie Doyle1:39.80
1908Royal TouristEddie Dugan1:46.40
1907Don EnriqueGeorge Mountain1:45.40
1906Whimsical Walter Miller1:45.00
1905CairngormWillie Davis1:45.80
1904Bryn MawrGene Hildebrand1:44.20
1903Flocarline William Gannon1:44.80
1902Old EnglandLee Jackson1:45.80
1901The ParaderFrank Landry1:47.20
1900HindusHenry Spencer1:48.40
1899Half TimeRichard Clawson1:47.00
1898Sly FoxWillie Simms1:49.75
1897Paul KauvarT. Thorpe1:51.25
1896MargraveHenry Griffin1:51.00
1895BelmarFred Taral1:50.50
1894AssigneeFred Taral1:49.25
1890MontagueWillie Martin2:36.75
1889BuddhistGeorge Anderson2:17.50
1888RefundFred Littlefield2:49.00
1887DunboyneWilliam Donohue2:39.50
1886The BardS. Fisher2:45.00
1885TecumsehJim McLaughlin2:49.00
1884Knight of EllerslieS. Fisher2:39.50
1883JacobusGeorge Barbee2:42.50
1882VanguardTom Costello2:44.50
1881SauntererTom Costello2:40.50
1880GrenadaLloyd Hughes2:40.50
1879HaroldLloyd Hughes2:40.50
1878Duke of MagentaCyrus Holloway2:41.75
1877CloverbrookCyrus Holloway2:45.50
1876ShirleyGeorge Barbee2:44.75
1875Tom OchiltreeLloyd Hughes2:43.50
1874CulpepperWilliam Donohue2:56.50
1873SurvivorGeorge Barbee2:43.00

The Kentucky Derby is known for being the longest-running sports event in the US. However, it is only on a technicality, as the Preakness Stakes actually began two years before the Derby’s debut in 1875. The Preakness took a three-year hiatus from 1891 to 1893 after the Maryland Jockey Club suffered financial difficulties.

Race named after first track winner

The Preakness Stakes is named after Pimlico Race Course’s first winner, a colt named Preakness, which won the 1870 Dinner Party Stakes.

The name itself, though, actually dates back to the 1700s. It stems from a region in New Jersey by a tribe of Native Americans, Pra-qua-les (or “quail woods”).

Milton Sandford, a thoroughbred owner, gave the name to his farms, one of which was located in that same area of New Jersey. Later, the name would be given to a colt of his, which would then go on to win that 1870 race. He was subsequently immortalized in the name of the prestigious Preakness Stakes, courtesy of the Maryland Jockey Club.

Introduction of the Triple Crown

Initially, the Preakness Stakes was run at a distance of 1.5 miles.

In 1925, the current distance of 1-3/16 miles was set after a period of experimentation by organizers. Also, the date of the Preakness fluctuated for a few years, bouncing from before the Kentucky Derby to — at least on two memorable occasions — actually occurring on the same day as the Derby, in 1917 and 1922.

The order of the Triple Crown series was officially established in 1932.

Now, the Preakness Stakes is always run on the third Saturday in May, which is two weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks before the Belmont Stakes.

Preakness Stakes FAQ

The Preakness Stakes usually takes place on the third Saturday of May every year. This occurs two weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks before the Belmont Stakes.

The Pimlico track allows only a maximum of 14 horses. If there are more wanting to ride at the Preakness Stakes, organizers make use of a process of three tiers to determine which horses are eligible to race.

The first seven spots of the Preakness are awarded to horses with the highest amount of earnings in graded-stakes races, which includes the Kentucky Derby. The next four spots are given to lifetime earners in nonrestricted races. The last three spots go to the next highest earners but don’t take into account the class of the races.

The Kentucky Derby offers the most prize money in US horse racing, but the Preakness is no slouch. Seize the Grey collected $1.2 million in 2024.

The Preakness Stakes is a flat thoroughbred race. It’s a Grade One stake race and takes place over a 1-3/16th mile distance. Geldings and colts both carry 126 pounds in the race, while fillies carry 121 pounds.

The race itself lasts approximately two minutes. However, entertainment and activities are happening on Friday before the race and hours after on Saturday.

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