The 2025 Preakness Stakes, set to take place on May 17 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, is shaping up to be an exciting event. Among the anticipated contenders is Gosger, a promising three-year-old colt who is entering the race on the back of a significant victory. This article delves into Gosger’s background, his connections, and the wider context of the Preakness, including the notable absence of the Kentucky Derby winner.
Gosger’s Pedigree and Performance
Gosger, a gray/roan colt bred in Kentucky, is sired by the successful stallion Nyquist, out of the mare Gloria S. by Tapit. This pedigree suggests a strong potential for racing prowess. Gosger is a homebred owned by Harvey Clarke Racing Stables. His trainer is Brendan Walsh, and his jockey is Luis Saez.
As of the latest reports, Gosger has a career record of 2 wins and 1 second-place finish in three starts, accumulating $292,200 in career earnings. His most recent triumph was a victory in the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland on April 12. This win in a graded stakes race positions him as a serious contender for the Preakness.
Gosger broke his maiden on February 15 in his second career start at Gulfstream Park. His running style is described as a “stalker,” indicating he typically races off the early pace and makes his move in the later stages of the race.
Connections and Preakness History
This will be the second Preakness Stakes appearance for trainer Brendan Walsh. His previous entrant, Multiplier, finished sixth in 2017. Notably, Gosger’s owner, Harvey Clarke, has a significant history in horse racing, having bred and sold I’ll Have Another, the winner of the 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
Following Gosger’s win in the Lexington Stakes, trainer Brendan Walsh commented on his charge’s potential: “He’s still got a lot of maturing to do. He’s still a little raw. But I love what I saw today. He was a little green, but he beat a couple of really nice horses. I think he’s a very nice horse in the making. We gave him a little time off after his maiden win because I felt, when I looked at him, that he was doing a lot of growing.” This suggests that Gosger may still have untapped potential.
Kentucky Derby Winner’s Absence from the Preakness
A significant talking point surrounding the Preakness Stakes is the decision by the connections of the Kentucky Derby winner, Sovereignty, to bypass the race. Sovereignty clinched the Kentucky Derby on May 3 at Churchill Downs. However, his trainer, Bill Mott, stated that it would not be a difficult decision to skip the Preakness.
Mott explained the reasoning behind this choice: “Over the years, people have realized that spacing these horses out a little bit gives you the opportunity to make them last a little longer. We’re looking at a career, and you want the career to last more than five weeks.” This sentiment highlights a growing trend in horse racing towards prioritizing the long-term health and careers of racehorses over a potentially demanding Triple Crown schedule.
Preakness Stakes Details
The post-position draw for the Preakness Stakes is scheduled for Monday, May 12. The race itself is set for Saturday, May 17, with post time approximately at 7:01 p.m. Eastern Time. NBC will broadcast the event live, with coverage running from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
With Sovereignty out of the picture, the Preakness Stakes opens up the field, presenting a valuable opportunity for horses like Gosger to make their mark on the prestigious race. Gosger’s recent form and pedigree make him a horse to watch as the Preakness approaches.
