The Preakness Stakes is shaping up to be a thriller. With Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo skipping the race to focus on the Belmont Stakes, Saturday's 151st running of the middle jewel of the Triple Crown is wide open—and the 14-horse field proves it.
Three horses who battled in the first leg of the Triple Crown are back for more: Ocelli, Incredibolt, and Robusta. But none of them is the favorite. That distinction belongs to Iron Honor, a Nyquist colt trained by Chad Brown, who opens at generous 9-2 odds. After winning his first two starts—including the Grade II Gotham in February—he stumbled in the Grade II Wood Memorial with a seventh-place finish, missing the Derby. He'll break from gate No. 9.
Just behind him at 5-1 on the morning line are Incredibolt, Chip Honcho, and Taj Mahal. Incredibolt, trained by Riley Mott, showed serious grit in the Kentucky Derby, rallying from traffic to finish sixth—only 4 lengths back. He earned his Derby spot with a win in the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs.
Taj Mahal is the hometown hero, trained by Brittany Russell and ridden by her husband, Sheldon Russell. The Florida-bred Nyquist colt is a perfect 3-for-3, all at Laurel Park, including wins in the Miracle Wood and Federico Tesio. But he drew the dreaded No. 1 post, which could test his early speed.
Chip Honcho, last seen finishing fifth in the Grade II Louisiana Derby, got a much better draw in stall No. 6.
Ocelli comes in at 6-1 from gate No. 2. The Connect colt impressed in the Kentucky Derby, rallying from far back to finish third—just 1 length behind the winner. But he's still a maiden, having never won a race, and his late-running style could be compromised by the shorter stretch at Laurel Park.
The field came together only hours before the draw, when Arkansas Derby runner-up Silent Tactic scratched due to a bruised foot. Trainer Mark Casse cited the same issue that kept him out of the Derby.
With no clear superstar and plenty of question marks, Saturday's Preakness is anyone's race. Whether you're rooting for a Derby veteran or a fresh face, this one promises drama from wire to wire.