The 2026 Preakness Stakes is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing races in recent memory, and for the eighth consecutive year, there will be no Triple Crown winner on the line. Kentucky Derby champion Golden Tempo has opted to skip Saturday's race, leaving the door wide open for a new star to emerge at Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland.
Post time is set for 7:01 p.m. ET on May 16, marking the 151st running of this historic event. Notably, this year's Preakness won't take place at its traditional home of Pimlico Race Course, which is currently undergoing a massive $400 million renovation. The change of scenery adds an extra layer of excitement and unpredictability to an already compelling field.
Leading the pack as the 9-2 morning-line favorite is Iron Honor, but he'll face stiff competition from a talented group of contenders. Taj Mahal, Incredibolt, and Chip Honcho are all listed at 5-1, while Ocelli sits at 6-1. Napoleon Solo enters at 8-1, and a trio of longshots—The Hell We Did, Great White, and Pretty Boy Miah—round out the field at 15-1 each.
For those looking to make informed wagers, SportsLine's Jody Demling has once again shared his expert analysis. A fixture in the horse racing world, Demling has an extraordinary track record that includes correctly predicting the top three finishers in the 2025 Kentucky Derby in exact order. Even more impressive, he has called 11 of the last 21 Preakness winners, including a massive hit in 2023 when he nailed the winner, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta. He also correctly picked Journalism as the 2025 Preakness champion.
One of Demling's most intriguing picks for 2026 is Napoleon Solo at 8-1. Trained by Chad Summers and owned by Gold Square LLC, this colt burst onto the scene with a dominant win in the MSW dirt-fast race at Saratoga last August, followed by a victory in the G1 Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack in October. While he has since finished fifth in both the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park and the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, Demling sees untapped potential that could shine through on Saturday.
Whether you're a seasoned bettor or a casual fan looking to add some excitement to race day, the 2026 Preakness Stakes promises plenty of drama. And with Demling's proven expertise guiding the way, there's never been a better time to study the field and place your bets.