Action Network horse racing experts are dialed into Preakness picks and insights for this weekend.
Mike Conti and Sean Zerillo dove into all their predictions for the Preakness Stakes on the Action Network podcast. The second leg of the Triple Crown goes off Saturday, May 17, at 7:01 p.m. ET.
Here, we’re diving into their best bets to win, longshots to consider, trifectas, exactas and more for the 2025 Preakness Stakes.
Preakness Stakes Odds, Lines
| Post | Horse | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goal Oriented | 7-1 |
| 2 | Journalism | 6-5 |
| 3 | American Promise | 10-1 |
| 4 | Heart of Honor | 20-1 |
| 5 | Pay Billy | 12-1 |
| 6 | River Thames | 9-1 |
| 7 | Sandman | 5-1 |
| 8 | Clever Again | 5-1 |
| 9 | Gosger | 19-1 |
Odds via TwinSpires as of Saturday afternoon.
2025 Preakness Stakes Predictions, Picks
In Saturday's nine-horse field, both experts are extremely interested in the favorite, Journalism, to win. Journalism opened 8-5 odds on the morning line.
"As a horse player, 8-5 doesn't get me very excited. If you're telling me in this field, though that I'm going to get 8-5 on Journalism, I get excited by that price," Conti said.
Journalism finished second in the Kentucky Derby behind Sovereignty.
"He showed those of us who had doubts (including myself) about the competition and field sizes out West that he’s extremely talented and one of the best three-year-olds in the country. The biggest question will be coming back in two weeks, but he again appears to be the most talented horse in the field."
Zerillo agreed with the assessment, pointing out a clear edge and price too good to pass up.
"We're saying there's a possibility Journalism should be priced 4-5 or 3-5. I think even money is a fair price to put him at."
Check out Conti's All-Day Preakness Stakes Card Here!
2025 Preakness Stakes Long-Shot Predictions
Both Zerillo and Conti offered perspective on Goal Oriented as the longshot to consider. Goal Oriented's trainer is Bob Baffert, who has eight wins in the Preakness.
"I think Goal Oriented is the biggest wild card in this race," said Zerillo. "He's extremely lightly-raced and trained by Bob Baffert, who's obviously had a ton of success in the Triple Crown and at Pimlico in particular. This will be one of the pace-setters in the race, and he's also ridden by Flavien Prat."
Conti, meanwhile, is using Goal Oriented underneath in his betting tickets, alongside Journalism.
"Interestingly enough, Goal Oriented kind of reminds me of another Baffert horse who won the Preakness a few years back in National Treasure," Conti noted.
"(Goal Oriented) is somebody I will be using. Given his post position and the other speed, jockey Flavien Prat will most likely have to send Goal Oriented out of the gates to get positioning. I'm not sure if he'll organically get the lead, or if he'll be forced to use some of that initial early speed to get the lead but … he's absolutely a horse I'm going to be using."
After the guys tossed out the No. 3, 4 and 5 horses, Zerillo's three B horses to use underneath: the No. 6 (River Thames), the No. 8 (Clever Again) and (No. Gosger).
2025 Preakness Stakes Exacta, Trifecta Predictions, Picks
Zerillo's exacta is the No. 2 Journalism to win, and the No. 6 (River Thames) or No. 8 (Clever Again) to finish second. Also, there are alternatives bettors can consider, too.
"I'll probably reverse those and play it for a smaller amount in the event that one of the longer shots wins; I'll probably play a 6 over 8 exacta as well, too, in case Journalism does not run well two weeks off the layoff and ends up falling back," Zerillo said.
Here's how Zerillo is crafting his trifecta, which requires correctly predicting the first three horses.
"2 over 6, 8, 9, over 1, 6, 7, 8, 9 would be how I'd build out a trifecta of Journalism on top," noted Zerillo. "And you can reverse that first and second line with the No. 6 and No. 8 potentially … if you're looking for more of a price."
Zerillo's Exacta: 2 / 8,6
Conti's Exacta: 2 / 8
2025 Kentucky Derby Trifecta Predictions
Zerillo's Trifecta: 2 / 6,8,9 / 1,6,7,8,9
Conti's Trifecta: 2 / 8 / 1,6
