The 151st running of the Preakness Stakes is nearly here, and this year's "Run for the Black-Eyed Susans" comes with a historic twist. For the first time ever, the race moves from its longtime home at Pimlico to Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland, due to ongoing construction. Post time is set for Saturday, May 16, at 6:50 p.m. ET.
The field is now official following Monday's post draw, and one notable absence is Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo. His connections announced last week that he will skip the Preakness, making him the third Derby winner in the last five years to pass on the second jewel of the Triple Crown. That opens the door wide for a fresh contender to seize the spotlight.
Morning-line odds have Iron Honor as the 9-2 favorite, but he's hardly a lock. Three horses—Taj Mahal, Incredibolt, and Chip Honcho—are all close behind at 5-1, setting up what promises to be a competitive and unpredictable race.
If you're looking for an edge, SportsLine's Jody Demling is the man to follow. A veteran horse racing analyst, Demling has called 11 of the last 21 Preakness winners—including the 2023 race where he nailed the winner, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta. He also correctly predicted the top three finishers in the 2025 Kentucky Derby in exact order and picked Journalism as the 2025 Preakness winner. His track record speaks for itself.
One of Demling's most intriguing picks this year is a longshot with serious momentum: Ocelli. Despite being winless in seven career starts and having just one runner-up finish, Ocelli turned heads at the Kentucky Derby as a 70-1 outsider, storming home to finish third. He posted a speed figure just one point behind the top two horses in that race, and in a lighter Preakness field, Demling expects him to be very much in the mix.
"He's still a maiden, but was third in the Wood Memorial and ran third in the Derby," Demling noted. "He has undeniable momentum entering this race."
Whether you're backing the favorite or taking a flyer on a longshot, this year's Preakness Stakes has all the drama and excitement that makes horse racing unforgettable. Make sure your gear is ready—and your picks are locked in.