The historic Pimlico Race Course witnessed a breathtaking spectacle on May 17, 2025, as Journalism secured a remarkable victory in the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes. The talented thoroughbred, ridden masterfully by jockey Umberto Rispoli and trained by Michael McCarthy, overcame significant obstacles to claim the second jewel of the Triple Crown in dramatic fashion, leaving the capacity crowd of 110,000 racing fans in absolute awe.
The race, perhaps the final one before Pimlico’s major renovation, provided all the drama, controversy, and athletic brilliance that defines the best of thoroughbred racing. Journalism’s performance wasn’t just a win—it was a statement victory that reshapes the three-year-old division and sets up potentially epic confrontations in the months ahead.
The race unfolds: Tactical brilliance in the Preakness stretch
As the gates flew open at precisely 6:50 PM, Clever Again immediately seized control, setting aggressive early fractions of :23 flat for the quarter and :46.66 for the half-mile. Meanwhile, Journalism settled comfortably mid-pack, with Rispoli exhibiting the patience that would ultimately prove decisive.
The complexion of the race changed dramatically approaching the final turn. Gosger, the longshot trained by Brendan Walsh, made a bold move to challenge for the lead while Journalism found himself in a precarious position—boxed in along the rail with seemingly nowhere to go. It was precisely the kind of moment that separates great horses from merely good ones.
“I was trapped, completely trapped,” Rispoli later admitted. “But this horse has such incredible courage. He was just waiting for his moment.”
The defining moment: Threading the needle
With three-sixteenths of a mile remaining, Rispoli identified the narrowest of openings between tiring horses. In a heart-stopping sequence that prompted an immediate stewards’ inquiry, Journalism bumped with Bob Baffert’s Goal Oriented while squeezing through. Rather than being intimidated, Journalism accelerated powerfully, covering ground with the devastating turn of foot that had made him the betting favorite.
In the final sixteenth, the battle came down to Journalism and the surprising Gosger. With every stride, Journalism erased the advantage, ultimately prevailing by half a length in a time of 1:55.47 for the 1 3/16 miles on a fast track—a remarkable turnaround from his runner-up performance on Churchill Downs’ sloppy surface two weeks earlier in the Kentucky Derby. The dramatic finish prompted comparisons to some of the most thrilling Preakness battles of the past decade and was featured prominently in the sports updates from May 15 leading up to the main event.
Official results and payouts: Value for favorites and longshots alike
The official finishing order reflected both predictability and surprise:
- 1st: Journalism (Umberto Rispoli/Michael McCarthy) – 8-5 odds
- 2nd: Gosger (Luis Saez/Brendan Walsh) – 15-1 odds
- 3rd: Sandman (John Velazquez/Mark Casse) – 6-1 odds
- 4th: Goal Oriented (Flavien Prat/Bob Baffert) – 8-1 odds
- 5th: Heart of Honor (Saffie Osborne/Jamie Osborne) – 20-1 odds
- 6th: River Thames (Irad Ortiz Jr./Todd Pletcher) – 9-1 odds
- 7th: Pay Billy (Raul Mena/Michael Gorham) – 11-1 odds
- 8th: American Promise (Nik Juarez/D. Wayne Lukas) – 9-1 odds
- 9th: Clever Again (Jose Ortiz/Steve Asmussen) – 5-1 odds
For bettors, Journalism returned $4.00 to win, $2.80 to place, and $2.40 to show. The exotic wagers proved more lucrative, with the exacta (Journalism-Gosger) paying $33.80 and the trifecta returning a respectable $73.50. The superfecta yielded $303.40 for correct $1 tickets—numbers that were analyzed extensively in the sports guide for May 16.
Victory’s aftermath: Emotion and reaction in the winner’s circle
The post-race celebration featured raw emotion from connections who had endured both triumph and heartbreak on racing’s biggest stages. For Rispoli, the win represented a career-defining moment.
“I still can’t realize what this horse did today!” Rispoli exclaimed, tears streaming down his face. “It’s all about him. It’s a pleasure, a privilege to ride a horse like him… I’m crying like a kid.”
Trainer Michael McCarthy, who has steadily built his reputation as one of the sport’s rising stars, dedicated the victory to the community of Altadena, California, recently devastated by wildfires. The gesture resonated deeply with racing fans who had followed the coverage in the sports events guide for May 17.
Aron Wellman, president of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, articulated what many observed: “This victory symbolizes so much about life. It took guts from Michael McCarthy to make this call to come here. It took guts for Umberto Rispoli to get sideswiped and thread the needle and power on through. And it took guts from an incredible horse to somehow will his way to victory.”
Looking ahead: The Belmont Stakes and possible rematches
With the Preakness now in the record books, attention immediately shifts to the Belmont Stakes on June 7. Journalism’s connections confirmed their intention to compete in the 1½-mile “Test of the Champion,” potentially setting up a rematch with Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty, who skipped the Preakness.
McCarthy sounded confident about Journalism’s ability to handle the Belmont’s demanding distance. “He’s shown remarkable versatility and stamina. The way he was finishing today, I don’t think the mile and a half will be an issue.”
Racing enthusiasts are already anticipating what could be one of the most compelling Belmont Stakes in recent memory, especially given the contrasting running styles of Sovereignty and Journalism. While no Triple Crown is at stake, the battle for divisional supremacy certainly is.
Conclusion: A race for the ages at historic Pimlico
The 2025 Preakness Stakes will be remembered for Journalism’s determined victory, a performance that combined athletic brilliance with sheer will to win. As Pimlico Race Course prepares for its much-needed renovation, Journalism provided a fitting sendoff to the historic venue’s current configuration.
The race demonstrated once again why thoroughbred racing, at its best, remains one of sport’s most compelling spectacles. For Journalism, Rispoli, McCarthy, and the Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, it was validation of their program and philosophy. For racing fans, it was simply an unforgettable display of equine courage—the kind that transforms good horses into legends.
The story of the 2025 Triple Crown season is far from complete. The Belmont Stakes awaits, and with it, the next chapter in what has become one of racing’s most fascinating recent narratives.
