Preakness 2026 draw: Morning-line favorite Iron Honor gets 9th post position

BALTIMORE — The 2026 Preakness Stakes will take place Saturday at Laurel Park. Here’s a look at the 14-horse field and expected contenders after Monday night’s post position draw:

Taj Mahal, post position 1

A potential favorite of Maryland fans, Taj Mahal has raced three times in his career and won all three times. Each race took place at Laurel Park, the host of this year’s Preakness Stakes. Brittany Russell trains Taj Mahal, and her husband Sheldon rides the horse. They’ll look to maintain their success in Laurel this weekend.

If Taj Mahal crosses the line first, Brittany Russell will become the first female trainer to win the Preakness Stakes.

Opening odds: 5/1

Ocelli, post position 2

A 70-1 longshot to win the Kentucky Derby, Ocelli nearly shocked the horse racing world by winning. A third-place finish was still a pleasant surprise, and the horse will look for similar success this weekend at Laurel Park with much shorter odds.

Odds: 6/1

Crupper, post position 3

Crupper’s jockey will generate plenty of headlines, as Junior Alvarado will ride the horse. Alvarado famously rode Sovereignty to Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes wins a year ago. Can he recreate that magic Saturday on a different horse?

Odds: 30/1

Robusta, post position 4

One of the few Kentucky Derby finishers to also attend this year’s Preakness, Robusta finished 14th at Churchill Downs last month. The horse is trained by Doug O’Neill, winner of the 2012 Preakness.

Odds: 30/1

Talkin, post position 5

The horse finished third in the Blue Grass Stakes on April and is trained by Danny Green. Talkin is not one of the few favorites to win this weekend’s race, though.

Odds: 20/1

Chip Honcho, post position 6

A potential winner who had the necessary qualifications to race in the Kentucky Derby, Chip Honcho might be best-suited for the limited crowd at this year’s Preakness. At least, that’s what trainer Steve Asmussen told Daily Racing Form.

“Limited attendance at Laurel as opposed to what they get in that run to the first turn for the Derby, this gives him a way better chance to show who he was,” Asmussen told the publication.

The horse is prone to overexertion in front of large crowds, making a smaller Preakness Stakes an ideal spot to compete in front of a national audience. The odds reflect as much.

Odds: 5/1

The Hell We Did, post position 7