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. With Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo opting out of Saturday's race, the field is wide open—and the spotlight now falls on Iron Honor, installed as the 9-2 morning-line favorite.
This year's running marks the 151st edition of the Preakness, but it carries a historic twist: the race will not be held at its traditional home, Pimlico Race Course, which is currently undergoing a massive $400 million renovation. Instead, the action shifts to Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland, with post time set for 7:01 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 16.
The field is stacked with talent. Taj Mahal, Incredibolt, and Chip Honcho are all listed at 5-1, making them the primary challengers to Iron Honor. Ocelli sits at 6-1, while Napoleon Solo is a live longshot at 8-1. Rounding out the contenders are The Hell We Did, Great White, and Pretty Boy Miah, each at 15-1.
For bettors looking for an edge, SportsLine's elite horse racing expert Jody Demling has been red-hot. Demling—who has correctly called 11 of the last 21 Preakness winners—nailed the top three finishers in the 2025 Kentucky Derby in exact order and hit the winner, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta in the 2023 Preakness. He also picked Journalism as the 2025 Preakness winner. His track record speaks for itself.
One of Demling's most intriguing picks for 2026 is Napoleon Solo, a Chad Summers-trained colt owned by Gold Square LLC. Despite an 8-1 morning line, Demling believes the horse has serious upside. Napoleon Solo broke his maiden impressively at Saratoga last August and followed up with a win in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct in October. However, his form has dipped slightly since then, with fifth-place finishes in both the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park and the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. Demling sees that as an opportunity rather than a red flag.
With Golden Tempo out and a deep, competitive field ready to battle at Laurel Park, the 2026 Preakness is wide open. Whether you're backing the favorite or hunting for value, this year's race promises plenty of drama—and potentially big payouts for those who follow the experts.