Preakness Stakes Contender Profile: Goal Oriented
Preakness Stakes Contender Profile
Goal Oriented: Bob Baffert’s Preakness Longshot Worth Watching
Trainer Bob Baffert is rolling the dice with a surprise contender for the 2025 Preakness Stakes. Goal Oriented, an undefeated colt with just two career starts, will represent Baffert in the second leg of the Triple Crown.
For fans looking to bet on Preakness surprises, this newcomer brings just enough mystery to turn heads. His addition to the field also shakes up the Preakness Stakes odds, especially for those following the “all other 3-year-olds” option.
The May 17 race at Pimlico will be Goal Oriented’s toughest challenge yet, but in a sport built on bold moves, Baffert’s choice to enter the inexperienced colt makes this Preakness Stakes betting field even more intriguing.
A Perfect Start to 2025
Goal Oriented has done everything asked of him in his short career. In his April debut at Santa Anita, he dominated a six-furlong maiden race, winning by 3¼ lengths. Just weeks later, he stepped up in distance and competition, winning an allowance race on the Kentucky Derby undercard at Churchill Downs.
His running style allows him to control the pace or stalk the leaders, which can be a huge advantage at Pimlico. Even with only two starts, he’s shown the kind of versatility and competitiveness that gives longshots a fighting chance.
Pedigree with Proven Potential
Goal Oriented is bred for both talent and toughness. Not This Time, his sire, was a top 2-year-old who has rapidly risen as a leading stallion. Notably, he sired Epicenter, who finished second in both the 2022 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
On the dam’s side, Goal Oriented is out of Bizzy Caroline, a multiple graded stakes winner who hit the board in 10 of her 17 starts. She’s also a daughter of Afleet Alex, who won both the Preakness and Belmont Stakes in 2005. That bloodline brings a blend of speed and staying power that could serve him well if the pace gets hot.
A Jockey With a Track Record
In the saddle is Flavien Prat, one of the most consistent and accomplished jockeys in the sport. Prat knows the Preakness well, having already won it with Rombauer in 2021 and finishing third in 2024 with Catching Freedom. His ability to read the race and make smart moves in tight spots could be exactly what Goal Oriented needs to pull off an upset.
The Baffert Factor
Bob Baffert’s legacy at the Preakness is unmatched. With eight wins in the race, including with legends like American Pharoah, Justify, and last year’s National Treasure, he has proven time and again that he knows how to win at Pimlico. While his other entry, Rodriguez, will attract much more attention from bettors, Baffert isn’t entering Goal Oriented for show.
This Preakness will also be Baffert’s first time back at Churchill Downs in three years, adding another layer of significance to his return to the Triple Crown spotlight.
Chances in the Preakness Field
Make no mistake: Goal Oriented is a longshot. He hasn’t run in a graded stakes, and 23 of the last 27 Preakness winners had already achieved that milestone. Oddsmakers didn’t even include him individually in the Preakness Future Pool. Instead, he was bundled into the “all other 3-year-olds” category, which offered 22-1 odds. Still, there’s value in mystery, especially when paired with the Baffert-Prat connection.
If he takes another step forward, Goal Oriented could surprise a lot of people. Whether he fades under the pressure or delivers a breakout performance, his presence adds depth and excitement to an already competitive field.
Watch, Wager, and Win
The Preakness is known for its drama and unpredictability, and Goal Oriented fits that theme perfectly. He might not have the resume of the favorites, but he has the talent, the connections, and the right running style to make things interesting.
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