The 150th Preakness Stakes may not have a Triple Crown on the line this year, but it certainly isn’t lacking in drama. With Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty sitting out the second jewel of the Triple Crown, the door is wide open for a new name to emerge. Amid the buzz, one colt is gaining quiet momentum. And it is Goal Oriented. The dark bay son of Not This Time has raced only twice but remains undefeated. Goal Oriented recently caught eyes with a poised victory as the Kentucky Derby undercard.

It isn’t just another name on the post sheet. He carries the hopes of an elite ownership group known as “The Avengers,” and he is trained by none other than Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, who is eyeing a record ninth Preakness win. Positioned at the rail with 6-1 odds, this raw but promising colt is considered a serious wildcard. With his recent workouts and two wins showing versatility both off the pace and as a frontrunner, he may just upset the favorites on race day.

Who is the owner of Goal Oriented?

Goal Oriented is owned by a powerhouse group famously dubbed “The Avengers,” a coalition of high-profile stables and individual investors. This includes SF Racing (Gavin Murphy), Starlight Racing (Jack Wolf), Madaket Stables (Sol Kumin), Stonestreet Stables (Barbara Banke), Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables (Matt Dorman), Robert Masterson, Tom Ryan, Waves Edge Capital (Gregg Slager), and Catherine Donovan. The depth of resources and experience behind this colt gives him a clear advantage when it comes to planning and execution.

The group’s strategic patience with Goal Oriented is evident. Unraced at two, he was brought along gradually, finally making his debut in April 2025. According to Tom Ryan of SF Racing, “He was a very mature, precocious 2-year-old who had a slight setback. We were patient with him and gave him time to flourish.” That patience has begun to pay off just as the spotlight turns to Pimlico.

Who is the trainer of Goal Oriented?

Goal Oriented is trained by none other than Bob Baffert, a living legend in American horse racing and the most successful trainer in Preakness Stakes history. With eight Preakness victories under his belt, starting with Silver Charm in 1997 and most recently with National Treasure in 2023; Baffert knows exactly how to prepare a colt for this high-pressure event.

From the beginning, Baffert spoke highly of Goal Oriented. “He’s the kind of horse we were always high on. He’s a big, powerful colt who moves over the ground nicely,” he said. Baffert’s belief in the colt became evident when Rodriguez, another top contender in the stable, was scratched, allowing Goal Oriented to take his place in the Preakness field. The decision reflects not just necessity but confidence in Goal Oriented’s potential to compete on the biggest stage.

How much is Goal Oriented earning?

Though lightly raced, Goal Oriented has already earned $111,960 in just two career starts. His debut came on April 6, where he rallied from behind to win a six-furlong sprint at Santa Anita Park. Two weeks later, he stepped up to an allowance optional claiming race on the Kentucky Derby undercard at Churchill Downs, winning on a sloppy track while setting the pace from the start.

The speed figures from his second race have added to the buzz. His Equibase Speed Figure (109) was notably higher than that of Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (103) on the same day. With a pedigree built for stamina, sired by Not This Time and out of Bizzy Caroline (by Afleet Alex), and a price tag of $425,000 from the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Goal Oriented’s earnings could skyrocket if he claims victory at the $2 million Preakness Stakes.

Goal Oriented enters the 2025 Preakness Stakes as the undefeated underdog with a star-studded team behind him and the training expertise of Bob Baffert steering the ship. He may lack the experience of his rivals, but what he does possess is raw speed, untapped potential, and a versatile running style tailor-made for Pimlico’s testing turns. In a year when the Triple Crown dream has already ended, Goal Oriented provides a compelling narrative. A dark horse with proven grit, top-tier connections, and a hunger for the spotlight. Whether he wins or simply makes a statement, this colt has already oriented himself toward greatness.