The 150^th Preakness Stakes may not have the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve winner, but it has the next best thing. Journalism, the runner-up in the Derby, heads the field of nine 3-year-olds and gives it some much-needed star power. While Journalism looms a strong favorite, the rest of the field seems evenly matched which could create some nice exotic payoffs.

1. Goal Oriented (6-1 morning-line odds): Undefeated colt gets a major class test while making his stakes debut in a Triple Crown race. He’s trained by Bob Baffert, who has won the Preakness a record eight times and is an expert at winning off of two weeks of rest. His connections alone make him a contender.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Bob Baffert

2. Journalism (8-5): A deserving favorite after running a solid second in the Kentucky Derby as the favorite. Should work out a nice trip from this post and looms the one to beat.

JOCKEY: Umberto Rispoli; TRAINER: Michael McCarthy

3. American Promise (15-1): Chased a fast pace in the Kentucky Derby and tired badly. Should get a softer pace here but hard to see him rebounding with a big effort just two weeks later. It’s mind-boggling to think that 89-year-old trainer D. Wayne Lukas is taking aim at back-to-back Preakness wins.

JOCKEY: Nik Juarez; TRAINER: D. Wayne Lukas

4. Heart of Honor (12-1): A rare European-bred starter in the Preakness, he was beaten by a nose in the United Arab Emirates Derby Sponsored by Jumeirah, which was won by Admire Daytona who finished last in the Kentucky Derby. That measuring stick isn’t very flattering.

JOCKEY: Saffie Osborne; TRAINER: Jamie Osborne

5. Pay Billy (20-1): Consistent Maryland runner won the two preps at Laurel Park for the Preakness. Has a good running style for the race but he’s yet to race on this track and will need to take a step forward to be a major factor.

JOCKEY: Raul Mena; TRAINER: Michael Gorham

6. River Thames (9-2): Was only beaten by a neck by Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty in the Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes and then finished a close third in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes. Can sit just off the early pace and looks like the main rival.

JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher

7. Sandman (4-1): Did not pose a threat in the Kentucky Derby when he rallied from 18^th to finish seventh on a sloppy track. Won the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby before that, so was it the wet track that derailed him in the run for the roses? We’ll see. His late-running style usually does not work well at the Preakness.

JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Mark Casse

8. Clever Again (5-1): Should be on the lead or battling for it after a front-running win in the Hot Springs Stakes. Hasn’t raced beyond 1 1/16 miles so the distance might be a tad long for him.

JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen

9. Gosger (20-1): Seems a notch below the top threats and is not helped by the outside post. Needs to step up here but the morning-line price is intriguing.

JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Brendan Walsh

THE PICK: Journalism

LIVE LONGSHOT: Goal Oriented

SUPERFECTA: 2-6-1-8