Preakness Stakes 2025 Recap & Belmont Stakes 2025 Probables | Blinkers Off 726

·1 hr 20 min·5 clips

Journalism horse loses momentum, regathers, and runs down Gosker in a breathtaking Preakness finish.

This episode of Blinkers Off is a recap of the 2025 Preakness Stakes and a look ahead to the Belmont Stakes, hosted by Jared Welch and Aaron Halteman. The hosts are experienced horse racing analysts who provide detailed race breakdowns and commentary. They focus on the controversial and dramatic finish of the Preakness, won by the horse Journalism. The central event is Journalism's comeback victory after severe traffic trouble in the stretch, where he was stopped and then re-rallied to beat Gosker by a half-length. The controversy involves a chain reaction incident where Journalism, ridden by jockey Umberto Rispoli, attempted to go inside and made contact with the horses Goal Oriented and Clever Again. The hosts reference trainer John White's article and Steve Asmussen's interview, noting respected analysts have opposing views on whether Journalism or Goal Oriented was at fault. The stewards' inquiry was notably brief, with no disqualifications, a decision the hosts find puzzling. A major point of discussion is jockey Umberto Rispoli's decision to duck inside midway through the race, which the hosts call a "panic move" and "pure and utter stupidity" that endangered horses and riders. They debate whether Rispoli should keep the mount on Journalism for the Belmont, with Halteman strongly advocating for his replacement by a more experienced jockey like John Velazquez. The hosts marvel at Journalism's extraordinary will to win, calling it a "race of a lifetime" and a performance rarely seen in racing. They note the potential for a thrilling Belmont Stakes rematch, possibly featuring Journalism, Gosker, and Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty. The tone is conversational and analytical, blending passionate race commentary with technical dissection of jockey decisions and racing rules. This episode is ideal for horse racing enthusiasts who enjoy deep dives into race strategy and controversy, but listeners seeking a straightforward, objective news report might find the strong opinions less appealing.

As heard by us

A blunt, lively Preakness debate that keeps one eye on the Belmont.

Blinkers Off gives the Preakness discussion the kind of racing talk horse players usually want: opinionated, specific, and focused on what comes next.

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Want the Preakness argument without the velvet gloves?

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