Churchill Downs Update: Churchill Downs-Based Connections Prominent in Saturday's Preakness Stakes

May 16, 2025

Several jockeys and horses based at Churchill Downs will be in action Saturday for the 150th running of the $2 million Preakness Stakes (GI) at Pimlico Race Course.

The 8-5 morning line favorite Journalism, runner-up in Kentucky Derby 151, headlines the field of nine 3-year-olds. Other entrants with Churchill ties include Sandman and American Promise, who finished seventh and 16th in the Derby, respectively; Goal Oriented, winner of a Derby Day allowance; and Clever Again, winner of the Hot Springs Stakes and stabled at Churchill since early April for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.

Three members of Churchill’s jockey colony will ride in the Preakness: Jose Ortiz (Clever Again), Luis Saez (Gosger) and Nik Juarez (American Promise).

Ortiz, the current leading rider at the Churchill Downs Spring Meet with 22 wins, was named on seven mounts Saturday at Pimlico, including Abrumar in the Dinner Party Stakes (GIII) and Dana’s Beauty in the Gallorette Stakes (GIII). He’s scheduled to return to Churchill for Sunday’s card, where he’s named on another seven horses.

Saez, who ranks second in the Churchill standings with 17 wins, was also named to ride seven horses Saturday at Pimlico including Divin Propos (FR) in the Dinner Party and Normandy Coast in the Chick Lang Stakes.

Saturday’s program at Pimlico begins at 10:30 a.m. (all times Eastern), with the Preakness scheduled for 7:01 p.m.

Churchill Downs will host a ’90s-themed edition of Downs After Dark Saturday night. The first race of the 11-race card is at 6 p.m., with gates opening at 5 p.m.

Guests can embrace iconic ’90s trends with themed entertainment, including a performance by the Fool House Band, airbrush station, glitter bar, arcade games and an interactive graffiti wall.

Saturday’s card is highlighted by the 88th running of the $250,000 Louisville Stakes (GIII), which goes as Race 9.

For tickets and more information, visit www.churchilldowns.com.

DOWN THE STRETCH – The Derby City 6 Jackpot was hit Thursday for $256,983. The jackpot will start over for Friday’s sequence, which spans Races 4-9. … “Inside Churchill Downs” returns Friday at 6 p.m. on ESPN Louisville, featuring a preview of Saturday’s Preakness Stakes program as well as the Downs After Dark card at Churchill Downs. Join Churchill Downs’ Darren Rogers and Kevin Kerstein for the one-hour program, streaming on www.espnlouisville.com or ESPN 680/105.7 in the Louisville area. … Congratulations to trainer Jose D’Angelo who was named the Churchill Downs Horsemen of the Week after his 3-year-old filly Shisospicy dominated the Mamzelle Stakes (GIII) Saturday at Churchill Downs. … Sunday begins the first weekly Stakes Room Brunch. Tickets start at $87 per person and are available on www.churchilldowns.com. … Next Friday is Senior Day and guests 60 and older can enjoy lunch on Millionaires’ Row for just $45. Tickets can be purchased by calling 502-636-4450. … For more information about the 2025 Churchill Downs Spring Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com.