Photo:
Charles Toler / Eclipse Sportswire
The Preakness Stakes 2026, the second jewel of the Triple Crown, runs Saturday afternoon at Laurel Park as the 151st renewal moves off Pimlico during Old Hilltop’s reconstruction. Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo is not entered, leaving the door open for a wide-open field of 14.
Three Derby exits return for another classic try, headlined by third-place finisher Ocelli for Whit Beckman. Sixth-place finisher Incredibolt and 18th-place finisher Robusta also wheel back. Chad Brown’s Iron Honor is the 9-2 morning-line favorite, shedding blinkers and picking up rider Flavien Prat for his graded-stakes upgrade. Federico Tesio Stakes winner Taj Mahal, a perfect 3-for-3 over the Laurel main track, makes his graded debut for Brittany Russell with Sheldon Russell aboard.
This is how writers at Horse Racing Nation plan to play the race:
Chip Gehrke
Winner: Bull By The Horns
On the board: Ocelli
Long shot I like: Bull By The Horns
Analysis: Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. will take his shot with the aptly named Bull By The Horns. With plenty of early speed signed on, the race shape could set up nicely for his late running style. If the pace is quick up front as many expect, Bull By The Horns could find himself making a serious impact late. Ocelli has quietly put together a pair of strong performances entering this spot, and I see no reason why he can’t contend for the win. Incredibolt enters the Preakness off a solid sixth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, beaten four lengths, and much like Ocelli and Bull By The Horns, figures to be doing his best running late.
Matt Shifman
Winner: Talkin
On the board: Incredibolt
Long shot I like: Talkin
Analysis: The Preakness field is loaded with horses who prefer to race on or near the lead. The anticipated fast pace will favor the late runners, and Talkin comes with 20-1 morning-line odds. Use him in the exotics with the other closers – Ocelli, Bull By The Horns and Incredibolt.
Ed DeRosa
Winner: Taj Mahal
On the board: The Hell We Did
Long shot I like: Corona de Oro
Analysis: Taj Mahal is the most likely winner, but wagering strategy will circle around getting one or two of The Hell We Did, Corona de Oro, Pretty Boy Miah, and Robusta in the number.
Rowan Ward
Winner: Incredibolt
On the board: Ocelli
Long shot I like: The Hell We Did
Analysis: The pace in the Kentucky Derby was hot, and a fast one probably unfolds once again in the Preakness. Incredibolt would have gotten a share of the purse had he not had to alter around a long line of horses into the lane at Churchill Downs, and if he gets a better trip against this field, he’ll have his day. Ocelli won’t be a long shot like he was in the Kentucky Derby, but once again he’ll get an excellent setup and the slight cutback in distance should suit him perfectly. The Hell We Did battled on the pace in the Lexington (G3), his first two-turn try, but if he can settle down and show the rallying gear he had in his one-turn races, that should get him into the exotics.
Mark Midland
Winner: Incredibolt
On the board: Napoleon Solo
Long shot I like: Talkin
Analysis: With Irad Ortiz Jr. jumping aboard, I like Talkin to sit midpack and make a nice run at a nice price. I’m going to play him to run second in the exacta, third in the trifecta or fourth in the superfecta, with the 12, 10, 9 and 1 in the first and second slots.
