<p><strong>Preakness Stakes Betting Tips: Will Journalism Write a New Chapter in His Stellar Career?</strong></p> <p>The Preakness Stakes is the second leg of American horse racing’s triple crown, with Pimlico on hosting duties for the Grade I renewal on Sunday, May 18 AEST.</p> <p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/horse-racing/international/pimlico/race-1-9212684">Click here to view the latest odds for Preakness Stakes and all available markets.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>What You Need to Know</h2> <p>The Kentucky Stakes, which took place a fortnight ago, is the first leg of the American triple crown.</p> <p>Monsoon like conditions saw the going rated as ‘sloppy’ in Louisville, which made the job of the betting favourite, Journalism, all the more challenging.</p> <p>He finished in second place at <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/horse-racing/international/churchill-downs">Churchill Downs</a>, but has been dusted down by trainer Michael McCarthy and will get a crack at revenge in the Preakness Stakes.</p> <p>The ground should be faster in Baltimore, with rain early in the week giving way to sunshine and sultry temperatures by the weekend. That would suit Journalism, but will the Preakness come round too quickly following a touch race in the mud at the Kentucky Derby?</p> <p>Here’s some more fascinating facts to whet your appetite. Six of the last eight Preakness Stakes champions had swerved the Kentucky Derby, while the betting favourite has only won six of the last 20 editions of the race.</p> <p>Could Journalism be vulnerable then?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Preakness Stakes Odds</h2> <p>Having won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby and ran well at the Kentucky Derby, Journalism is a worthy favourite at $1.80. For the latest prices on all contenders and a full list of <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/events/american-horse-racing">USA horse racing odds</a>, visit our comprehensive page.</p> <p>The question will be how much that run at Churchill Downs took out of him, because there’s a couple of other well-fancied contenders who will head to Pimlico much fresher.</p> <p>Clever Again is a lightly raced three-year-old that won the Hot Springs Stakes in impressive fashion back in March. His trainer, Steve Asmussen, is already a Preakness Stakes winner, so plenty of betting interest is assured at odds of $8.00.</p> <p>Bob Baffert has won the Preakness Stakes eight times, and his assault in 2025 will be powered by Goal Oriented. He’s won both of his outings, but also ran a tough race in the mud at Churchill Downs less than a fortnight ago – $9.00 is his price.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Preakness Stakes Best Bets</h2> <p>Generally, front runners tend to have the best of things at Pimlico, and that early pace will suit both Clever Again and Goal Oriented, who may just be able to unsettle Journalism accordingly.</p> <p>As mentioned, favourites and Kentucky Derby protagonists don’t have the best of records in the Preakness Stakes, so perhaps swerving Journalism at such short odds is the smart play.</p> <p>Goal Oriented will need to have recovered quickly from his muddy exertions at Churchill Downs, so maybe it’s the fast early pace of Clever Again that will prove definitive. He can be backed each way at such an attractive price.</p> <p>More value can be taken in the shape of River Thames, who has built an impressive – albeit losing – CV.</p> <p>He lost by barely a length to future Kentucky Derby champion Sovereignty back in March, before following up with a close third in graded company at the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes in April.</p> <p>So back River Thames to trouble the places – and perhaps more – at $7.00.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>*Odds correct at 1:54pm AEST 16/5/25</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>