The 2026 Preakness Stakes will be held on May 16 at Laurel Park, featuring 14 top three-year-old thoroughbreds. Iron Honor is the 9-2 favorite, with Taj Mahal, Chip Honcho, and Incredibold close behind at 5-1 odds.
Key points
2026 Preakness Stakes on May 16
Held at Laurel Park due to renovations at Pimlico
Iron Honor is the 9-2 favorite
Taj Mahal, Chip Honcho, and Incredibold at 5-1 odds
Race features 14 three-year-old thoroughbreds
Mentioned in this story
Laurel ParkPimlico Race Course
Preakness Stakes
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The stage is set for the 2026 Preakness Stakes, where 14 of the most talented three-year-old thoroughbreds will vie for the middle jewel of the Triple Crown on Saturday, May 16.
The morning line lists Iron Honor, the winner of the 2026 Gotham Stakes in February, as the 9-2 favorite. Close behind are Taj Mahal, Chip Honcho and Incredibold, each opening at 5-1 odds. Chip Honcho, trained by Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, has drawn attention after opting out of the Kentucky Derby to focus on the Preakness, arriving at Laurel Park fresh and primed for a breakout performance.
The 1 3/16-mile race will take place at Laurel Park this year due to extensive renovations at the traditional home of the Preakness, Pimlico Race Course. Trainers and jockeys have spent the week getting their contenders comfortable with the new surroundings, hoping to gain any possible edge.
Derby Day has arrived, and "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" will be here and gone before you know it. See the best moments from the race.
Jacob Skillman from Louisville yells in excitement while attending Thurby at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Haywire, ridden by Luan Machado, Sister Jean, ridden by Jaime A Torres, and Butterfly Jasmine, ridden by Brian J Hernandez take off out of the gate for the first race of the 2026 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby on Friday,
May 1, 2026.
Horses take off from the starting gate for the first race ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Lynn and Spencer Webster from Charlotte watch the first race on the card ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
People cheer in the infield as Time to Strike, ridden by John Velazquez, and Powershift, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., head down the back stretch at the 152nd Kentucky Derby in Louisville on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Kelly Green of Louisville had a unique fascinator made by Hat Haven that surrounded her face while she attended the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
Antonio Grassa laughs with his friends ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Brecken Erickson and Maci Cox embrace after Erickson proposes in the infield during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.
A DJ spins tunes to the infield crowd during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.
People cheer during the 91st running of The Churchill Downs on 2026 Kentucky Derby day at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
Jockey Flavien Prat aboard, Stark Contrast celebrate after winning the 35th running of The American Turf at the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.
Horses cross the finish line ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
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Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Derby Day has arrived, and "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" will be here and gone before you know it. See the best moments from the race.
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Jacob Skillman from Louisville yells in excitement while attending Thurby at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
4 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Haywire, ridden by Luan Machado, Sister Jean, ridden by Jaime A Torres, and Butterfly Jasmine, ridden by Brian J Hernandez take off out of the gate for the first race of the 2026 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby on Friday,
May 1, 2026.
5 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Horses take off from the starting gate for the first race ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
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Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Lynn and Spencer Webster from Charlotte watch the first race on the card ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
7 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
People cheer in the infield as Time to Strike, ridden by John Velazquez, and Powershift, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., head down the back stretch at the 152nd Kentucky Derby in Louisville on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
8 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Kelly Green of Louisville had a unique fascinator made by Hat Haven that surrounded her face while she attended the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
9 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Antonio Grassa laughs with his friends ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
10 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Brecken Erickson and Maci Cox embrace after Erickson proposes in the infield during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.
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Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
A DJ spins tunes to the infield crowd during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.
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Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
People cheer during the 91st running of The Churchill Downs on 2026 Kentucky Derby day at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
13 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Jockey Flavien Prat aboard, Stark Contrast celebrate after winning the 35th running of The American Turf at the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.
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Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Horses cross the finish line ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
A notable absence from the field is Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo, whose connections announced that he will skip the Preakness Stakes in favor of additional rest and preparation for the final jewel of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes. This decision has shifted the spotlight to other contenders and opened up the race, with speculation about who will seize the opportunity in Golden Tempo’s absence.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Preakness Stakes, now just days away.
The 151st Preakness Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, May 16 at Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland. Fans can watch the Preakness Stakes on NBC and USA Network, with streaming options on Peacock.
