2025 Preakness Stakes Tips - Asmussen's star a Clever bet at Pimlico
The 2025 Preakness Stakes promises to be a thrilling race, featuring the best of US horse racing. Following the Kentucky Derby, where Journalism impressed with a second-place finish, he now leads the pack at Pimlico. Key contenders include the promising Clever Again and River Thames, who both boast strong credentials. With strategic betting tips, fans can anticipate a captivating showdown. Highlighting the importance of strategy and pedigree, the guide provides insights for betting enthusiasts eagerly awaiting this prestigious event.
- Odds and betting predictions for the 2025 Preakness Stakes
- This US Classic will take place at Pimlico racecourse on Saturday 17th May
- Clever Again is our selection at 7/1
Two weeks after the Kentucky Derby was run at Churchill Downs, many of US horse racing's best three-year-olds will clash again in the Preakness Stakes. The Preakness is the middle leg of the US Triple Crown, with the final leg, the Belmont Stakes taking place a little later in the summer.
Here's our free guide to the 2025 Preakness Stakes, including our best betting tips.
2025 Preakness Stakes Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Mystik Dan | 5/2 |
| Imagination | 11/4 |
| Catching Freedom | 4/1 |
| Tuscan Gold | 9/2 |
| Just Steel | 12/1 |
| Bar | 16/1 |
2025 Preakness Stakes Runners
Journalism ran a cracker in the Kentucky Derby, but was beaten into second by the equally classy Sovereignty. The Kentucky Derby winner has opted to skip the Preakness, but Journalism will run at Pimlico this weekend and Michael McCarthy's star dominates this betting heat.
Todd Pletcher opted to bypass the Kentucky Derby with River Thames, who placed in two excellent races earlier in the season. Clever Again and Goal Oriented step straight up into Classic company after a couple of maiden wins and both are likely to be up with the early pace.
Sandman was heavily backed before the Kentucky Derby, but couldn't execute his fast-finishing style and finished a distant seventh. American Promise wasn't unfancied for that historic Classic, but was bitterly disappointing, beating only three horses home.
There will be British representation in this year's Preakness Stakes, with Saffie Osbourne riding Heart Of Honor for her father, Jamie. Gosger steps up in class following a recent Group Three victory at Keeneland. The locally trained Pay Billy completes the line-up at Pimlico.
2025 Preakness Stakes Tips
Journalism is obviously going to be very hard to beat. Mike McCarthy's star ran his heart out in the Derby and, despite suffering defeat, proved he was one of the best colts in North America. Umberto Rispoli's mount did, however, have a hard race on a testing Churchill Downs track and the 15-day turnaround looks sharp enough.
CLEVER AGAIN (7/1) is an interesting alternative to the market leader. Steve Asmussen's colt clocked an excellent speed figure when winning the Hot Springs Stakes in March, where he made all of the running and stretched four lengths clear of even-money favourite Gaming on the run to the line.
Jose Ortiz's mount started his career running over four-and-a-half furlongs last April. Clever Again wasn't seen again until an easy maiden win over a mile at Oaklawn Park in February, and took a significant step forward when landing the valuable Hot Springs.
Considering the speed he has shown early in his races, I was initially worried that the Preakness distance might be a bit of a stretch. Yet, Clever Again is by a versatile sire in American Pharoah and he's out of a Galileo mare called Flattering, who finished fifth in the 2018 Epsom Oaks before winning a Group Three over a mile-and-a-half.
On pedigree, Clever Again should get the Preakness trip quite comfortably and that early gate speed should ensure that Ortiz finds a nice position from his wide draw in stall eight. He's going to have to improve again to match Journalism, but there's no doubt that Clever Again has plenty of talent.
Live Stream
Visit our Preakness Stakes Live Stream page if you want to watch this US Classic via a mobile or tablet.
Verdict
Clever Again is our selection in the 2025 Preakness Stakes.
Clever Again
2025 Preakness Stakes Tips
@7/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS
Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad
Related
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
28 May 2026
- 2026 Brigadier Gerard Stakes -
- Horse Racing
30 May 2026
- 2026 Lester Piggott Stakes -
- Horse Racing
05 June 2026
- 2026 Epsom Oaks -
- Horse Racing
Load More
