The 2026 Preakness Stakes is shaping up to be an electrifying showdown, and the official post draw has finally set the stage. While the historic Pimlico Race Course undergoes renovations, this year's "Run for the Black-Eyed Susans" will take place at Laurel Park in Maryland on Saturday at 6:50 p.m. ET. Horse racing fans will recognize several familiar names from the Kentucky Derby trail, including Ocelli, who surprised many with a third-place finish at Churchill Downs. Joining him in the field are other Derby veterans like Incredibolt and Robusta.
When it comes to the 2026 Preakness Stakes odds, the spotlight falls on Iron Honor, who opens as the 9-2 morning-line favorite. Incredibolt follows closely at 5-1, while Ocelli sits at 6-1. If you're looking for a longshot to spice up your bets, Robusta enters at 30-1. But before you place any wagers, you'll want to hear from SportsLine's elite horse racing expert Jody Demling, who has an uncanny knack for picking winners.
Demling is a fixture in the horse racing world, and his track record speaks for itself. He correctly predicted the top three finishers in the 2025 Kentucky Derby in exact order and has called 11 of the last 21 Preakness winners. His 2023 Preakness performance was legendary, hitting the winner, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta. He also nailed the trifecta in 2024 and picked Journalism as the 2025 Preakness champion. If you've been following his picks on horse racing betting sites, you've likely seen impressive returns.
For the 2026 Preakness Stakes, Demling has already shared some surprising insights. Despite Taj Mahal entering the race tied for the second-lowest odds at 5-1 alongside Chip Honcho and Incredibolt, Demling isn't backing him to hit the board. Taj Mahal boasts a perfect 3-for-3 career record, with all wins coming at Laurel Park. That comfort level on the track explains why he's a favorite, but Demling questions the level of competition he's faced. Since Taj Mahal hasn't gone up against the same caliber of Derby-caliber horses, Demling leaves him out of his early top-three predictions.
As for the morning-line favorite Iron Honor at 9-2, Demling has locked in his analysis and is ready to share his best bets. Whether you're a seasoned bettor or a casual fan looking to add some excitement to your Preakness experience, Demling's 2026 Preakness Stakes picks are worth a look before the gates open.