The 2025 Preakness Stakes Horse Race

150th Preakness Stakes Set to Make History Without Kentucky Derby Winner

The 150th running of the Preakness Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the iconic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Post time is set for 6:50 p.m. Eastern, and the event will be broadcast live on NBC, continuing its long-standing tradition as the second jewel in the Triple Crown series.

This year’s race, however, comes with a notable twist: Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty will not compete in the Preakness. The colt’s connections have decided to skip the race to allow for rest and preparation ahead of the Belmont Stakes, effectively ending hopes for a Triple Crown winner in 2025. It’s the fourth time in the last seven years that the Derby victor has opted out of the Preakness.

Despite Sovereignty’s absence, the competition remains fierce. Derby runner-up Journalism has emerged as the favorite, entering the Preakness with strong momentum and favorable odds. Other top contenders include Sandman, Goal Oriented, and Clever Again—a promising colt with Triple Crown bloodlines, being the offspring of 2015 champion American Pharoah.

Adding to the historic nature of this year’s race is the fact that it will be the final Preakness held at the current Pimlico facility. A major redevelopment project is set to begin following the race, with plans to demolish and completely rebuild the grandstand and surrounding infrastructure. In the meantime, the Preakness will temporarily move to Laurel Park for the 2026 edition, before returning to the newly renovated Pimlico in 2027.

As fans prepare to gather for what promises to be a thrilling and sentimental day, the 150th Preakness Stakes will stand not only as a pivotal moment in this year’s racing calendar but also as a farewell to a century-old venue steeped in tradition.