Preakness Stakes Contender Profile: Heart of Honor

HORSE RACINGNEWS
May 13, 2025

Preakness Stakes Contender Profile

Dubai Runner Looks to Shine at Pimlico

 

After falling just a nose short of victory in the UAE Derby (G2), Heart of Honor bypassed the Kentucky Derby to target the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes. 

The decision could pay off for bettors looking to bet on Preakness value plays. With a performance that hinted at both grit and stamina, Heart of Honor now steps into a smaller, more manageable field with a legitimate shot to make noise. Preakness Stakes odds list him at 12-1, making him an intriguing contender in this year’s Preakness Stakes betting picture.

Competing over 1,900 meters in Dubai, the metric equivalent of 1 3/16 miles, Heart of Honor already has experience at the exact distance he’ll face in the Preakness, and he passed that test with flying colors.

 

Prepared by Pedigree

 

Heart of Honor is from the first crop of foals sired by Honor A. P., a standout route runner who earned his signature win in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), defeating Kentucky Derby winner Authentic by nearly three lengths. In the Kentucky Derby, Honor A. P. ran a troubled race and finished fourth after a slow start and wide trip, later emerging with a minor tendon injury.

His sire, Honor Code, brought serious staying power to the track, capturing the 1 1/8-mile Whitney Stakes (G1) and hitting the board in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at 1 1/4 miles.

A son of A.P. Indy, Honor Code passed on that stamina to runners like Max Player and Maracuja. That line of proven routers supports the idea that Heart of Honor should be comfortable stretching out.

 

His dam, Ruby Love, was a top turf miler in Chile, winning multiple Group races including the Arturo Lyon Pena (G1). Ruby Love is by Scat Daddy, a stallion known for his versatility and influence at all distances and surfaces. Scat Daddy’s sons and daughters have produced winners from sprints to marathons, including Triple Crown champion Justify.

As a broodmare sire, Scat Daddy’s legacy is just as strong. His daughters have produced champions like Whitmore, Burnham Square, and Japanese turf stayer Curren Bouquetd’or, showing a wide range of elite performances across racing styles.

 

Why the UAE Derby Matters

 

Unlike many horses that enter the Preakness off the Derby trail, Heart of Honor took a different route, literally. His Dubai performance over 1 3/16 miles matches the Preakness distance exactly, giving him a practical advantage in terms of familiarity with the distance. He nearly won the UAE Derby despite facing unfamiliar surroundings and a competitive international field, finishing just a nose behind in one of the most dramatic finishes of the prep season.

That kind of effort suggests he can handle the pace and pressure of a major U.S. race, especially in a field that lacks the overwhelming depth of the Derby. With a strong middle move and the ability to maintain position, he fits well into the stalker profile that often succeeds at Pimlico.

 

Preakness Stakes Outlook

 

Heart of Honor breaks from post 4 under jockey Saffie Osborne and will be trained by Jamie Osborne. With a morning-line price of 12-1, he offers value to bettors looking for an alternative to the top-tier favorites like Journalism and Sandman. The colt has already proven himself at the distance, and with pedigree power on both sides, his upside may still be untapped.

This year’s Preakness doesn’t feature the Kentucky Derby winner, and several top Derby front-runners are skipping the race. That opens the door for a fresh-faced contender like Heart of Honor to make his mark.

Looking to back a runner with international experience, classic distance form, and a pedigree that suggests he belongs? Heart of Honor could be your play. For the latest Preakness Stakes odds, analysis, and expert betting picks, visit our racebook today and get ready to cash in on the action at Pimlico.

 

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