The road to the Triple Crown takes a unique turn in 2026. With Pimlico Race Course undergoing extensive renovations, the 151st Preakness Stakes moves temporarily to Laurel Park. The field of 14 is officially locked in, featuring a mix of battle-tested Derby veterans and “new shooters” looking to capitalize on the absence of the Derby champion. Iron Honor, trained by Chad Brown, has been installed as the narrow morning-line favorite from post 9, while local favorite Taj Mahal will lead the charge from the rail. We have the updated 2026 Preakness Stakes field, odds, and schedule for you below.
Updated: May 11th, 2026
2026 Preakness Stakes: Key Details
Here are the key details for the Preakness Stakes for you. The 2nd of three legs in the Triple Crown. The race always follows the Kentucky Derby in the relative order of the races each season.
- Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
- Location: Laurel Park (Laurel, MD)
- Post Time: Approx. 6:50 PM ET
- Distance: 1 3/16 Miles (9.5 Furlongs)
- Purse: $2,000,000
The Triple Crown Bid ⮕ The Belmont Pivot
Trainer Cherie DeVaux confirmed on May 6 that Golden Tempo is in excellent health but showed signs of fatigue following his “race of a lifetime” in Louisville. “His health, happiness, and long-term future remain our top priority,” DeVaux stated. Instead of shipping to Laurel, Golden Tempo will remain at Keeneland before heading to Saratoga for the Belmont Stakes.
How to Watch the 2026 Preakness Stakes: TV & Streaming Schedule
NBC Sports remains the exclusive home for the Triple Crown. You can watch the full Preakness card across NBC, CNBC, and the Peacock streaming service.
| Date | Event / Coverage | Time (ET) | Network / Platform |
| Friday, May 15 | Black-Eyed Susan Stakes | 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM | Peacock |
| Saturday, May 16 | Preakness Early Undercard | 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM | FanDuel TV |
| Saturday, May 16 | Preakness Prep Races | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM | CNBC / Peacock |
| Saturday, May 16 | 151st Preakness Stakes | 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM | NBC / Peacock |
Streaming Note: If you don’t have cable, the entire NBC broadcast (including the main event) will be available to stream live on the Peacock app.
2026 Preakness Stakes: Official Post Positions & Odds (Updated May 11th, 2026)
Race Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026 | Distance: 1 3/16 Miles
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Odds |
| 1 | Taj Mahal | Sheldon Russell | 5-1 |
| 2 | Ocelli | Tyler Gaffalione | 6-1 |
| 3 | Crupper | Junior Alvarado | 30-1 |
| 4 | Robusta | Rafael Bejarano | 30-1 |
| 5 | Talkin | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 20-1 |
| 6 | Chip Honcho | Jose Ortiz | 5-1 |
| 7 | The Hell We Did | Luis Saez | 15-1 |
| 8 | Bull By The Horns | Micah Husbands | 30-1 |
| 9 | Iron Honor | Flavien Prat | 9-2 |
| 10 | Napoleon Solo | Paco Lopez | 8-1 |
| 11 | Corona De Oro | John Velazquez | 30-1 |
| 12 | Incredibolt | Jaime Torres | 5-1 |
| 13 | Great White | Alex Achard | 15-1 |
| 14 | Pretty Boy Miah | Ricardo Santana Jr. | 15-1 |
The Road Through Laurel: What You Need to Know
Because the 2026 race is at Laurel Park rather than Pimlico, the track dynamics will be slightly different.
- The “Home Field” Advantage: Taj Mahal, trained by Maryland-based Brittany Russell, is undefeated in three starts at Laurel Park and already worked a “bullet” five furlongs (1:00.40) over the track on May 2.
- The Redemption Story: Great White was a late scratch at the starting gate of the Kentucky Derby after rearing. His connections are currently weighing a Preakness run at Laurel as a chance for redemption.
Preakness Stakes FAQ Section
Question: When is the 2026 Preakness Stakes?
Answer: The 151st Preakness Stakes will take place on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The official post time is approximately 6:50 PM ET.
Question: Where is the 2026 Preakness Stakes being held?
Answer: In a historic shift, the 2026 Preakness will be held at Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland. The race has moved temporarily from its traditional home at Pimlico Race Course while that facility undergoes a massive $400 million renovation.
Question: What channel is the Preakness on in 2026?
Answer: National TV coverage will air on NBC from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM ET. Early undercard races will be broadcast on CNBC and the FanDuel TV network.
Question: How can I watch the 2026 Preakness without cable?
Answer: You can stream the 2026 Preakness Stakes live on Peacock. Additionally, the race can be viewed via live TV streaming services that carry NBC, such as YouTube TV, FuboTV, and Hulu + Live TV.
Question: When are the Preakness post positions drawn?
Answer: The official post-position draw and opening of the betting lines will take place on Monday, May 11, 2026. We will update our printable PDF tracker immediately following the draw.
Question: Is the Kentucky Derby winner running in the 2026 Preakness? Answer: No. Golden Tempo’s trainer, Cherie DeVaux, announced on May 6 that the horse will bypass the Preakness Stakes to rest for the Belmont Stakes in June. This means there will be no Triple Crown winner in 2026.
Question: Who is the favorite for the 2026 Preakness now? Answer: Following the scratch of Golden Tempo, the Bob Baffert-trained Crude Velocity is the new favorite at 4-1 odds, followed closely by local standout Taj Mahal at 6-1.
