Preakness Stakes Expert Picks, Odds and News

Week 14 of the NFL season delivered close finishes, critical playoff implications, and a deepening race for the league’s top draft pick.  The Kansas City Chiefs maintained their grip on the AFC. At the same time, the Minnesota Vikings continued their unexpected surge, and the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders edged closer to securing the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Here's what stood out in Week 14’s NFL Futures.

Two of baseball’s most iconic sluggers, Dick Allen and Dave Parker, were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday through the Classic Baseball Era Committee. Both players’ inductions represent overdue recognition of their immense contributions to the game, as the committee considered players whose careers peaked before 1980.  For fans looking ahead to baseball's most significant moments, this announcement also shakes up MLB Lines for future discussions on Hall of Fame voting trends.

The MLB offseason witnessed a monumental shift in the landscape as Juan Soto, the 26-year-old slugger and one of the most coveted free agents in baseball history, signed a staggering 15-year, $765 million deal with the New York Mets. This megadeal, which includes a $75 million signing bonus and no deferred money, sets a new standard for player contracts in baseball and significantly alters MLB Lines for the upcoming season.

The Minnesota Vikings continue their remarkable season with a 42-21 victory over the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Sam Darnold’s five-touchdown performance secured the Vikings’ 11th win and thrust him into the MVP conversation.  For bettors tracking NFL Futures, Darnold’s recent form makes the Vikings a team to watch as the postseason approaches.

The Maryland Jockey Club (TMJC) has announced the stakes lineup for Laurel Park's 2025 winter-spring meet. The meet will feature 25 stakes races with over $2.6 million in purses. This meeting marks the first under TMJC, a new nonprofit entity established by the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA). Starting January 1, TMJC will take control of daily racing operations in Maryland and set the stage for an exciting racing season with boosted purses and revamped stakes.