Preakness Preview and Stakes Races: Best Picks for the Top Weekend Races

With the 2nd leg of the Triple Crown just around the corner, our Preakness Preview and Stakes Races breakdown delivers sharp insight and expert picks for the biggest races of the weekend, including the latest horse racing lines to watch before post time.

Racing Picks for the Top Stakes Races Before the 2nd Leg of the Triple Crown
Fund Your Preakness Bets! Expert Picks to CRUSH This Weekend’s Man o’ War & Peter Pan!

Top Stakes Races in May: First Weekend Action | Saturday, May 10th, 2025
Aqueduct Race Track – Belmont Park

Betting MyBookie Horse Racing in May: Top Stakes Races for the Weekend

In one of the most thrilling Kentucky Derbies in the past ten years, third choice Sovereignty ran down favored Journalism to win the roses.

Top finishers in the Derby, along with new shooters will land in Baltimore for the Preakness Stakes in two weeks.

Keep reading for a Derby recap along with a Preakness preview.

Also, check out more information for this week’s top grades stakes races.

This year, like last year, the Belmont happens at Aqueduct.

So this Saturday is Belmont preview day at the Big A.

Horse racing betting odds come out on Thursday or Friday.

Writer’s Picks on the Next Leg of the Triple Crown

Kentucky Derby Post-Race and Preakness Preview

As the field turned for home, it looked as if Journalism had the race in the bag.

The McCarthy trainee’s turn of foot is electric.

But Sovereignty was also on the move.

The Bill Mott horse’s turn of foot was even more electric.

As soon as Sovereignty got even with Journalism.

The race was over.

For Godolphin, winning the Kentucky Derby with Sovereignty and finishing second with Journalism ended a decades long quest to take home the trophy for America’s most popular and special horse race.

Godolphin had struggled mightily over the decades to win the Derby, even handing the great Jerry Bailey $5 million upfront one year not to ride any other horse in the race.

Godolphin’s victory was well deserved as both Sovereignty and Journalism proved during the winter that they were two of the best three year olds in the world.

Bill Mott has yet to commit Sovereignty to the Preakness Stakes.

Mott takes his time with horses and Sovereignty’s value goes way beyond winning the Triple Crown.

Godolphin may step in and demand that Mott run his Derby winner.

Then again, Godolphin may not care so much about the second jewel.

Journalism is likely to run.

McCarthy knows he was close.

McCarthy also knows the horse deserves a shot at winning a Triple Crown race.

New shooters include Rodriguez, the Baffert runner that took home the Wood Memorial and River Thames, a Todd Pletcher three year old with early speed and a ton of upside.

Both will be tough to beat in Baltimore.

The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans Betting Preakness Stakes

Writer’s Picks on the Top Thoroughbred Stakes Races Happening this Weekend

Grade 3 John A. Nerud Stakes

6 furlongs dirt – 4 year olds and up
Saturday, May 10th, 2025
Aqueduct Race Track

Wesley Ward trained Watchatalkinabout ran a tremendous last race, finishing with a massive speed figure.

However, the race was in an allowance.

Ward steps up the Dialed In sired colt to a grade 3.

Don’t discount Watchatalkinabout’s chances.

The field is short with only five other runners expected to break from the gate.

The other five have chances.

Full Moon Madness must pick it up after the disaster in the Carter but Surveillance and Anarchist look like solid plays.

Grade 3 John A. Nerud Stakes: Aqueduct Race Track

Grade 3 Peter Pan

1 1/8 miles dirt – 3 year olds
Saturday, May 10th, 2025
Belmont Park

There’s plenty of talent in the 2025 Peter Pan.

Both of Richard Dutrow’s runners, Captain Cooke and McAfee can get it done.

So can Chad Brown trained Hill Road, which finished third in the Tampa Bay Derby in the last.

But the betting should end up revolving around Brown’s other horse, last out maiden winner Lordship and Uncaged from the Todd Pletcher barn.

Lordship and Uncaged have the looks of being late bloomers, which are dangerous on the Triple Crown trail after the Derby.

Both Chad and Todd are looking to secure a spot in the Belmont with their Peter Pan contenders.

Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes: Belmont Park

Grade 2 Man O’ War Stakes

1 3/8 miles turf – 4 year olds and up
Saturday, May 10th, 2025
Belmont Park

The Man O’ War may see just five runners, which means the favorite, Far Bridge, is likely to go off at even money or worse.

With that being written, it’s going to be difficult to beat the accomplished Cristophe Clement runner.

Far Bridge dusted both Padiddle and Todd Pletcher trained Capture the Flag in the Pan American.

The other contenders look to be running for a paycheck.

Singling Far Bridge in vertical exotics makes sense.

Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes: Belmont Park

Grade 2 Ruffian

1 mile dirt – 4 year old fillies and mares
Saturday, May 10th, 2025
Belmont Park

Saffie Joseph Jr. could have his trainer peers over a barrel in the Ruffian.

Saffie will saddle three: Here’s the Kicker, Dazzling Move, and Claret Beret.

All three appear capable of running to the winner’s circle.

Bill Mott trained Sterling Silver and both of Chad Brown’s horses, Headline Numbers and Catherine Wheel, will attract action.

Of the two Brown entrants, Headline Numbers appears to be the better but she breaks from post eleven and could be compromised.

Handicap every horse in the race before making your decision.

The Ruffian is for sure this weekend’s most competitive grades stakes event.

Grade 2 Ruffian Stakes: Belmont Park

Horse Racing in May this Weekend | Bet the Horses MyBookie Live Horse Racing Odds

Racing Lines for the Run for the Black-Eyed Susans

As the title says, get the odds on the field for this year’s race.

Win Big with the MyBookie’s Picks for Preakness Preview and Stakes Races

Check back for official horses post positions, monitor the shifting horse racing lines, and lock in your best racebook odds now—sign up or log in today at MyBookie to bet on this weekend’s races before the Preakness goes off!

Want to dive deeper into Kentucky’s racing legacy?
Check out our full guide on Preakness Stakes past winners and records to see how the legends stack up before this year’s top graded stakes take the spotlight.

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Horse Racing on May | MyBookie
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