Preakness Stake 2026 odds, posts, date: Iron Honor, Taj Mahal, Incredibolt predictions via top expert

Top 2026 Preakness Stakes picks for Taj Mahal, Incredibolt, Iron Honor

One of Demling's surprising 2026 Preakness Stakes picks: He has Taj Mahal outside the top 5 on his projected leaderboard despite him being tied with Chip Honcho and Incredibolt for the second-lowest odds at 5-1. He's a perfect 3-for-3 in his career, with all his wins coming at Laurel Park. That comfort level around this track is a big factor in why he's among the favorites. Level of competition, however, is a question mark since he hasn't faced the caliber of horses that many who were on the Derby trail have, so Demling does not have him as a top-3 pick in his early Preakness predictions.

Demling has also locked in his picks for Iron Honor, the 9-2 morning-line favorite. He broke his maiden with a fast run at Aqueduct Racetrack last December and then followed that up with a win at the Gotham Stakes in late February. He looked like a top 3-year-old at the time, but then had a poor seventh-place showing at the Wood Memorial despite entering that race as the favorite. He's shown the speed to take a race of this caliber, but bettors must decide how much stock to put in his poor run last time out.

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Demling has also evaluated the chances of Incredibolt, who is 5-1 on the morning line. Incredibolt finished 11th in Kentucky Derby qualifying points after winning the Virginia Derby and the Street Sense Stakes. He went on to finish a respectable sixth in the Kentucky Derby. Against a weaker field at the Preakness Stakes, he's certainly a win contender. He also finished sixth at the Holy Bull Stakes, however, so there are some red flags that come up at this price.

"A last-minute entry by trainer Riley Mott, the son of Bolt d'Oro didn't run a bad Derby," Demling told SportsLine." He was bumped and ran on to finish sixth. Mott says he's training well and he wouldn't show up if he didn't think he has a big chance." See what horses Demling is backing at SportsLine.

How to make 2026 Preakness Stakes predictions, bets

Demling is also especially high on an epic double-digit longshot "with a chance" to win it all. Anyone who backs this sleeper pick could hit it big. Demling is sharing which horse it is, along with his entire projected 2026 Preakness Stakes leaderboard, over at SportsLine.

Which horse wins the Preakness Stakes 2026, and which stunning longshot is a must-back? Check out the latest 2026 Preakness Stakes odds below, then visit SportsLine to see Demling's picks for the Preakness Stakes, all from the expert who has nailed the last three winners.

2026 Preakness Stakes odds