The 2026 Preakness Stakes will move forward without Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo, leaving a wide-open field led by morning-line favorite Iron Honor.
Iron Honor enters Saturday’s race at 9-2 odds after drawing post No. 9 for the second leg of the Triple Crown at Laurel Park in Maryland. The Chad Brown-trained colt headlines a 14-horse field that includes several fresh contenders skipping the Kentucky Derby and a handful of Derby runners looking to rebound.
The favorite has historically performed well in the Preakness. Favorites have won 74 of the previous 150 editions of the race, according to NBC Sports. Journalism snapped a six-year drought for favorites in 2025.
Saturday’s Preakness Stakes has an approximate post time of 6:50 p.m. ET.
Preakness 2026 Favorites Include Iron Honor, Taj Mahal & Ocelli
Iron Honor is not the only horse drawing significant betting attention entering Saturday.
Chip Honcho, Incredibolt, and Taj Mahal all opened at 5-1 odds, while Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Ocelli sits at 6-1. Napoleon Solo opened at 8-1 after drawing post No. 10.
Golden Tempo and Derby runner-up Renegade both skipped the Preakness after their connections opted to focus on the Belmont Stakes on June 6.
Trainer Cherie DeVaux said Golden Tempo needed additional rest between Triple Crown races.
That decision leaves Ocelli as the top Derby finisher competing in the Preakness field.
2026 Preakness Stakes Odds & Post Positions
The latest odds for the 2026 Preakness via NBC Sports.
Post 1: Taj Mahal (5-1)
Jockey: Sheldon Russell | Trainer: Brittany Russell
Post 2: Ocelli (6-1)
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione | Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman
Post 3: Crupper (30-1)
Jockey: Junior Alvarado | Trainer: Donnie K. Von Hemel
Post 4: Robusta (30-1)
Jockey: Rafael Bejarano | Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Post 5: Talkin (20-1)
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. | Trainer: Danny Gargan
Post 6: Chip Honcho (5-1)
Jockey: Jose Ortiz | Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Post 7: The Hell We Did (15-1)
Jockey: Luis Saez | Trainer: Todd Fincher
Post 8: Bull By the Horns (30-1)
Jockey: Micah Husbands | Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Post 9: Iron Honor (9-2)
Jockey: Flavien Prat | Trainer: Chad Brown
Post 10: Napoleon Solo (8-1)
Jockey: Paco Lopez | Trainer: Chad Summers
Post 11: Corona De Oro (30-1)
Jockey: John Velazquez | Trainer: Dallas Stewart
Post 12: Incredibolt (5-1)
Jockey: Jaime Torres | Trainer: Riley Mott
Post 13: Great White (15-1)
Jockey: Alex Achard | Trainer: John Ennis
Post 14: Pretty Boy Miah (15-1)
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr. | Trainer: Jeremiah Englehart
Horse Racing Expert Jody Demling Shares 2026 Preakness Picks
SportsLine horse racing analyst Jody Demling has identified several contenders he believes offer strong betting value entering Saturday’s race.
Demling correctly predicted the top three finishers in order at the 2025 Kentucky Derby. He has also picked 11 of the past 21 Preakness winners, including Journalism in 2025.
One horse Demling is especially high on is Napoleon Solo.
Despite entering with 8-1 odds from post No. 10, Demling believes the Chad Summers-trained colt has a strong opportunity in what he called a wide-open field.
The last horse to win the Preakness from post No. 10 was Real Quiet in 1998.
Demling is also fading Chip Honcho despite favorable odds and a historically successful draw in post No. 6, which has produced 17 Preakness winners.
According to SportsLine, Demling has concerns about Chip Honcho’s recent form and believes there is better value elsewhere in the field.
How to Watch & Stream the 2026 Preakness Stakes
Fans can watch full-day coverage of the Preakness Stakes beginning Saturday afternoon.
Preakness Stakes Viewing Information
Date: Saturday, May 16
Location: Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland
Coverage Begins: 1 p.m. ET on Peacock
NBC Coverage Begins: 4 p.m. ET
Preakness Post Time: 6:50 p.m. ET
TV Network: NBC
Streaming: Peacock
The race features 14 three-year-old horses competing for a $2 million purse, including $1.2 million awarded to the winner.
The Preakness Stakes will once again cover 1 3/16 miles.
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