The 151st running of the Preakness Stakes is finally here, and this year brings a major twist: for the first time in history, the race moves from historic Pimlico Race Course to Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland, on Saturday, May 16. With construction underway at Pimlico, the "Middle Jewel" of the Triple Crown takes on a fresh feel—and a new home.
One of the biggest storylines? Golden Tempo, this year's Kentucky Derby winner, will skip the Preakness. That makes him the third Derby champion in the last five years to pass on the second leg, leaving the door wide open for a new star to emerge.
Early odds have Crude Velocity leading the pack as the 4-1 favorite, but the field is deep and competitive. Other contenders include Iron Honor (19-1), Taj Mahal (20-1), and Cherokee Nation (22-1). The official post position draw and morning-line odds will be announced Monday at 5 p.m. ET, so the board could shift quickly.
If you're looking for an edge, SportsLine's horse racing expert Jody Demling has been on fire. He correctly predicted the top three finishers in the 2025 Kentucky Derby in exact order, and he's called 11 of the last 21 Preakness winners—including a perfect hit on the winner, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta in 2023. Last year, he nailed Journalism as the 2025 Preakness winner and also hit the trifecta in the 2024 race. His track record speaks for itself.
One of Demling's most intriguing picks for 2026? Taj Mahal, a 20-1 longshot who has never lost a race. Trained by Brittney Russell, this undefeated colt has run all of his career races at Laurel Park, giving him a serious home-track advantage. He looked sharp in recent wins at the Federico Tesio Stakes and the Miracle Wood Stakes, handling the Laurel surface with ease—even on a fast track. If the stars align, this double-digit underdog could be the surprise of the day.
Whether you're a seasoned bettor or just looking for some Derby-week excitement, the 2026 Preakness Stakes promises drama, speed, and a fresh chapter in Triple Crown history. Get your picks ready and enjoy the race.