The 2025 Preakness Stakes ended in dramatic fashion as Journalism stormed from behind to take the win. After falling nearly five lengths off the pace, the Kentucky Derby favorite launched a furious final push. Journalism overtook Gosger down the stretch and finished in an unofficial time of 1:55.47.
Gosger held on for second place. Sandman crossed third, followed by Goal Oriented in fourth.
Here are the final payouts based on a $2 bet:
- Journalism paid $4.00 to win, $2.80 to place, and $2.40 to show.
- Gosger paid $9.00 to place and $5.40 to show.
- Sandman paid $3.60 to show.
Other payouts included:
- $2 Exacta (2-9): $16.90
- $1 Trifecta (2-9-7): $73.50
- $1 Superfecta (2-9-7-1): $303.40
Official race results and full payouts will be released soon.
No Triple Crown Bid This Year At The Preakness Stakes 2025
Excitement for the Preakness was lower than usual this year. That’s because Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty skipped the race. His absence eliminated any hope for a Triple Crown run in 2025.
This continues a growing trend. More owners and trainers are choosing to bypass the Preakness after the Derby. Instead, they focus on preparing for the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the Triple Crown.
The shift has raised concerns in racing circles. Jerry Bailey, Hall of Fame jockey and NBC Sports analyst, spoke with the Associated Press about the trend. “It is troubling, and it has been troubling for several years,” he said. “It’s completely flip-flopped from my generation when it was the rule that they would run back and the exception that they wouldn’t.”
"The 1-2-3 finishers of the [Kentucky] Derby have only come back in the Preakness now twice in 17 years. The system is broken." – NBC Sports racing analyst Randy Moss (@randy_moss_tv) on Preakness pre-race coverage. pic.twitter.com/GVgkn4bQlK
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 17, 2025
The Preakness did, however, provide a shot at redemption. Journalism, who had been favored to win the Kentucky Derby, returned with confidence. He entered the Preakness as the 6-to-5 favorite and lived up to expectations with a powerful late surge.
Though a Triple Crown chase won’t happen this year, Journalism’s comeback win gave fans a moment to celebrate.
