By Jordan Black, Senior Sports Writer — FreeWire Magazine
Horse racing fans hoping for a Triple Crown winner in 2025 will have to wait at least another year. Trainer Bill Mott confirmed that Sovereignty, this year’s Kentucky Derby winner, will not compete in the Preakness Stakes, opting instead to rest and prepare for a run at the Belmont Stakes in June.
“We want to do what’s best for the horse,” Mott told reporters at Churchill Downs. While a Triple Crown bid is always tempting, Mott emphasized Sovereignty’s long-term health and development as the priority.
This decision reflects a growing trend in modern horse racing—trainers are increasingly putting the welfare of their horses ahead of tradition. With only a two-week turnaround between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, many in the sport recognize the physical toll this schedule can take. For fans concerned about the treatment of racehorses, it’s a welcome change.
With Sovereignty out, the Preakness field is wide open. Journalism, who finished second in the Derby, has emerged as the 8-5 morning-line favorite. Trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Journalism will break from post position #2 in a nine-horse field.
At FreeWire, we’re all about solid reporting, tenacity, and endurance—so it should be no surprise that Journalism is our personal pick to take the Black-Eyed Susans today.
Other notable contenders include Sandman (4-1 odds), River Thames (9-2), and Clever Again (5-1), ensuring a competitive and unpredictable race.
The 150th Preakness Stakes is set for today, Saturday, May 17, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, with post time at 7:01 p.m. ET. Even without a Triple Crown on the line, the excitement of the Preakness lives on—and for Sovereignty, the path to Belmont glory is just beginning.
