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As anticipation mounts across the horse racing world, all attention turns to Baltimore, Maryland, where the 2025 Preakness Stakes is set to take place. This thrilling event isn’t just another race—it’s the second leg of the Triple Crown, a coveted title awarded only to horses that can win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes in a single season.

The Preakness is crucial in determining whether a Kentucky Derby winner can continue their historic run toward greatness or if a new contender will shake up the standings. Its timing—just two weeks after the Derby—adds a layer of intensity, testing a horse’s ability to recover quickly and perform under pressure. As the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, the Preakness often serves as the turning point in this legendary racing series.

Predicting the Leading Horses for the Triple Crown Run

As the 2025 Triple Crown season heats up, the contenders vying for a place in racing history are spotlighted. A few standout horses have already made their mark, showing promise and readiness for the challenges. These horses have demonstrated the potential to contend in the Kentucky Derby and the subsequent legs of the Triple Crown—the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.

Baeza

Owned by CRK Stable and Grandview Equine, Baeza is a dangerous contender joining this year’s race. Although he didn’t earn enough points, he qualified for the 2025 Kentucky Derby as a replacement for Rodriguez by being the lone horse on the also-eligible list. Rodriguez, was scratched from the race on Friday, May 2, 2025, the day before the Derby due to a bruised foot.

After a tough debut on the turf at Del Mar, he moved to Santa Anita, where he finished second to Rodriguez in January. In his next start, Baeza earned a decisive 4 3/4-length maiden win at Santa Anita in February. His career record stands at 4-1-2-0, with earnings of $148,500. With rapid speed figure improvement, Baeza is a serious contender for the Preakness Stakes.

Journalism

A promising bay colt by Curlin, out of Mopotism (by Uncle Mo), Journalism has proven himself a serious Kentucky Derby contender after his commanding win in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita. Under the guidance of trainer Michael McCarthy, he has posted a strong record of 3 victories and a third-place finish from 4 starts, earning $338,880.

His pedigree blends Curlin’s proven stamina with Uncle Mo’s speed, inherited through his Grade 1-placed dam. This genetic mix is evident in his racing style—he’s evolved from a closing sprinter into a smart, adaptable colt who can press the pace or sit just off it.

Sovereignty

This thoroughbred has rapidly emerged as a top Kentucky Derby contender on platforms like FanDuel, showcasing a blend of tactical speed and strong finishing power that makes him a classic prospect. Trained by Bill Mott and bred by Godolphin, the colt has made impressive strides in his brief career, highlighted by a hard-fought neck victory in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).

His style has matured significantly, evolving from a closing sprinter in his debut to a versatile router capable of adjusting to different pace dynamics. This versatility was particularly evident in his last two stakes victories, where he won the Street Sense Stakes by five lengths and later fought his way to victory in the Fountain of Youth despite a wide trip.

In the 151st Kentucky Derby, Sovereignty outpaced 3-1 favorite Journalism down the stretch to capture the win in the slop, ending a 0-for-13 Derby streak for owner Godolphin. Mott, who previously won his first Derby in 2019, experienced another sloppy track victory—this time without controversy, as the race results were briefly delayed for stewards to review a photo finish and a crowded start. This makes Sovereignty a huge contender for the Preakness and the Triple Crown in general.

Final Words

As the 2025 Preakness Stakes draws near, the excitement surrounding the race continues to build. With standout contenders like Baeza, Journalism, and Sovereignty emerging as serious threats, this year’s edition of the Preakness will be one for the history books. These horses have already proven their worth in key prep races and are now primed to tackle the challenges of the Triple Crown series.

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