BALTIMORE – Kentucky Derby (G1) runner-up Journalism was installed as the 8-5 morning-line favorite in a field of nine 3-year-olds entered for Saturday’s 150th running of the Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course after drawing Post 2 during Monday evening’s post-position draw at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery.

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith’s Journalism finished 1 ½ lengths behind victorious Sovereignty as the 3-1 favorite in the Derby. The son of 2007 Preakness winner Curlin had won his previous four races, including the Santa Anita Derby (G1).

McCarthy, who awarded the return call on Journalism to Umberto Rispoli, saddled Rombauer for a victory in the 2021 Preakness.

D J Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables’ Sandman was rated second at 4-1 on the morning line after drawing Post 7 The son of Tapit, who captured the Arkansas Derby (G1), finished seventh in the Derby after encountering early traffic.

“Obviously you don’t want to be the one (post). It worked for War of Will, it worked for American Pharaoh,” said Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse, who saddled War of Will for a Preakness Victory in 2019. “Look, Journalism is definitely the horse to beat, he has already proven that. We don’t know how he is going to react to the two weeks, we don’t know how it will be for us. “

Griffin Johnson, the popular internet influencer who is a partner in the ownership of Sandman, was present for the post position draw.

“I was supposed to be at a wedding, but I got a call on Saturday from Mark (Casse) and he said, ‘We’re going to run him.’ I was excited. I love to see him run. That’s my favorite thing about Sandman; I like to show up and support him and watch him do his work. I’m happy to be here,” Johnson said. “I was through the roof. I think it’s amazing for the horse industry. I think it’s great for the Preakness. This is a perfect example of Mark Casse’s sportsmanship and his love for the game. I respect that and I’m proud to be a part of his team.”

Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez will ride Sandman for the first time Saturday.

WinStar Farm LLC, CHC Inc., Pantofel Stable LLC and Wachtel Stable’s River Thames drew Post 6 and is rated third at 9-2 on the morning line. The son of MacLean’s Music finished a close-up second behind Derby winner Sovereignty in the Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream before checking in a close third in the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland. Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher withheld from the Derby to target the Preakness.

River Thames can complete a personal Triple Crown for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher by giving him his first Preakness victory. The eight-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer has saddled two Derby winners and four Belmont Stakes (G1) winners.

Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount aboard the son of Maclean’s Music.

Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith’s Clever Again was rated at 5-1 on the morning line after drawing Post 8.

The son of 2015 Triple Crown Champion American Pharoah is slated to make his graded-stakes debut after winning the Hot Springs at Oaklawn in his most recent start. Jose Ortiz has the return mount.

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen saddled Curlin (2007) and Rachel Alexandra (2009) for Preakness victories.

SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC’s, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Diane Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital LLC, and Catherine Donovan’s Goal Oriented drew Post 1 for his stakes debut in the Preakness. The son of Not This Time is 2-for-2, winning an April 6 maiden special weight race at Santa Anita and a front-running optional claiming allowance score at 1 1/16 miles on the Derby undercard. He is rated at 6-1 on the morning line.

“Once you draw, you can’t think about it. Last time I drew the one here was with American Pharaoh. I drew the one with Lookin At Lucky. The one hole is not as bad here as it would be in the Derby,” Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said. “He is not as fast as these other horses on paper, but I think he is a good horse. I really thought he was a better fit than Rodriguez would have been. “

Flavien Prat has the return mount aboard Goal Oriented.

Hall of Fame trainer Baffert has saddled a record eight Preakness winners: National Treasure (2023), Justify (2018), American Pharoah (2015), Lookin At Lucky (2010), War Emblem (2002), Point Given (2001), Real Quiet (1998), Silver Charm 1997.

Jim and Claire Limited’s Heart of Honor, the runner-up by a nose in the UAE Derby (G2) in his most recent start, drew Post 4 and is rated at 12-1 on the morning line.

Saffie Osborne, the daughter of trainer Jamie Osborne, has the return mount.

BC Stables LLC’s American Promise, who finished 16th in the Derby, drew Post 3 for the Preakness and is rated at 15-1 on the morning line.

Nik Juarez has the return call on the son of 2018 Triple Crown champion Justify.

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas has saddled seven Preakness winners, including last year’s victor Seize the Grey, who was preceded by Oxbow (2013), Charismatic (1999), Timber Country (1995), Tabasco (1994), Tank’s Prospect (1985), and Codex (1980).

Harvey A. Clarke Racing Stables LLC’s Gosger, who captured the Lexington (G3) at Keeneland in his most recent race, drew Post 9 and is rated at 20-1 on the morning line.

RKTN Racing LLC’s Pay Billy, who qualified for the Preakness with his victory in the Federico Tesio at Laurel, drew Post and is rated at 20-1. Regular rider Raul Mena has the mount aboard the son of Improbable.

“I’m real happy with it,” said trainer Michael Gorham. “That’s what I was hoping for – 4, 5 or 6. I didn’t want to be down on the rail in the 1 or 2, and I didn’t want to be on the far outside. I think it worked out pretty good. I think we’ll get him out of there running and try to get a spot. You don’t want to get caught too far back. He has a little tactical speed. He can be forwardly placed. We’ve got to get into the turn in a good spot, not too far off the lead but have something to run at.”