The 151st Preakness Stakes runs on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Laurel Park
in Laurel, Maryland. Post time is approximately 7:00 PM ET. With a $2 million purse and $1.1 million going to the winner, it is the second jewel of the Triple Crown and one of the most bet-on sporting events of the spring
calendar. US Racing gives you live odds, the complete Preakness card, full
race streaming across over 350 racetracks, and the best welcome bonus in
horse racing, all in one place. This is your complete guide to betting the
2026 Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park.
2026 Preakness Stakes Fast Facts
- • Race: 151st Preakness Stakes
- • Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
- • Post Time: Approximately 7:00 PM ET
- • Track: Laurel Park, Laurel, Maryland
- • Distance: 1³⁄₁₆ miles on dirt
- • Field: Three-year-old Thoroughbreds
- • Purse: $2,000,000 — $1,100,000 to the winner
- • Broadcast: NBC and Peacock
- • Note: Held at Laurel Park while Pimlico Race Course undergoes redevelopment
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Latest Preakness Stakes 2026 Odds
Here are the latest Preakness Stakes 2026 Contenders. The official Morning Lines will be delivered on May 11th after the Gate Draw. Stay tuned.
| 2026 Preakness Stakes Odds and Post Positions |
| PP | Horse / Jockey | Odds |
|---|
| 1 | Taj MahalSheldon Russell | 5/1 |
| 2 | OcelliTyler Gaffalione | 6/1 |
| 3 | CrupperJunior Alvarado | 30/1 |
| 4 | RobustaRafael Bejarano | 30/1 |
| 5 | TalkinIrad Ortiz Jr. | 20/1 |
| 6 | Chip HonchoJose Ortiz | 5/1 |
| 7 | The Hell We DidLuis Saez | 15/1 |
| 8 | Bull by the HornsMicah Husbands | 30/1 |
| 9 | Iron HonorFlavien Prat | 9/2 |
| 10 | Napoleon SoloPaco Lopez | 8/1 |
| 11 | Corona de OroJohn Velazquez | 30/1 |
| 12 | IncrediboltJaime Torres | 5/1 |
| 13 | Great WhiteAlex Achard | 15/1 |
| 14 | Pretty Boy MiahRicardo Santana Jr. | 15/1 |
Last Updated on 05/16/2026
How to bet on the Preakness Stakes 2026
Step 1: Choose a trusted online racebook
Sign up for a free BUSR account here. You'll get access to live Preakness Stakes odds, the full race card, and streaming for every Preakness Day race, plus over 350 racetracks worldwide, all in one place.
Step 2: Register and verify your account
Creating a BUSR account takes just a few minutes. You will need to provide:
- • Full legal name
- • Residential address
- • Date of birth
You must be at least 21 years old. Verification is handled automatically during signup.
Step 3: Claim your welcome bonus
New BUSR members are eligible for a $1,000 sign up cash bonus plus a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers.
Bet nowStep 4: Fund your account
Accepted deposit methods include:
- • MasterCard, VISA credit or debit cards
- • Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash)
- • Ethereum
- • Person to person money transfer
Funding your BUSR account takes less than 2 minutes. Log in, head to the Cashier, select your deposit method and you're all set to bet the Preakness Stakes.
In the days leading up to May 16, the full Preakness Stakes field is
announced. The race card typically includes:
- • Horse names and post positions
- • Jockeys and trainers
- • Morning line Preakness Stakes odds
- • Past performance data and speed figures
Studying this information helps you make informed bets. Odds fluctuate
based on the wagered money, so early picks may change in value by post
time.
Step 6: Pick Your Bets
Betting on the Preakness can be as simple or as complex as you wish. Common
bet types include:
- • Win: The horse must finish first
- • Place: The horse finishes first or second
- • Show: The horse finishes in the top three
- • Exacta: Pick the top two horses in exact order
- • Trifecta: Top three in exact order
- • Superfecta: Top four in exact order
Beginners often stick with Win, Place, or Show, while experienced bettors
use boxed bets to increase their chances. A Trifecta Box allows your selected
three horses to finish in any order within the top three.
Step 7: Place Your Bet
Navigate to the betting page on USRacing.com, choose your wager type,
enter your stake, and submit your bet. The system will send you a
confirmation of your accepted wager.
Step 8: Watch the Preakness Live and Collect
US Racing streams the full Preakness Day card live, from the first
undercard race to the moment the winner crosses the wire. Results update
instantly, and winnings post to your account immediately. Withdrawal process
within 24 to 48 hours.
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Understanding Preakness Stakes Odds and Payouts
The Preakness Stakes uses the pari-mutuel betting system. All wagers go into
a shared pool, the track deducts a small percentage, and the rest is divided
among winning tickets. Odds are not fixed. They shift constantly based on
where the money is going right up until the gates open.
Here is how Preakness Stakes odds affect your payout:
| Odds | $2 Win Bet Returns | Profit |
| 2-1 | $6.00 | $4.00 |
| 5-1 | $12.00 | $10.00 |
| 10-1 | $22.00 | $20.00 |
| 20-1 | $42.00 | $40.00 |
| 50-1 | $102.00 | $100.00 |
Morning-line odds are set by the track's official handicapper and
serve as a starting point. By post time, they will have shifted based on
betting volume. Watch the live tote board in the final hour before the race
for the most accurate picture. For a deeper breakdown, visit the Preakness Stakes
betting page.
The Preakness Stakes is one of the most exotic-friendly races in the world.
A competitive field and massive wagering pools mean massive potential payouts. Here is
what you need to know:
- • Exacta: Pick the top two finishers in exact order. A $2 exacta combining a 10-1 and 20-1 horse can return $200 or more.
- • Trifecta: Pick the top three in exact order. Box three horses for $12 and cover all six possible finishing combinations.
- • Superfecta: Pick the top four in exact order. A $0.10 Superfecta box on four horses costs just $2.40 and gives you 24 combinations. The Preakness Stakes Superfecta regularly pays five figures.
Box your picks and let the race sort them out. One longshot in the right
position is all it takes.
Strategies to Bet on the Preakness Stakes 2026
For better results when you bet on the Preakness Stakes, consider these
tips:
- • Do not bet only on favorites. The Kentucky Derby winner enters as a favorite but does not always win. The Preakness has a strong history of upsets and "fresh shooter" winners.
- • Watch for horses that skipped the Derby. Horses targeting the Preakness directly without running in the Kentucky Derby — fresh shooters — have won the race multiple times and frequently offer overlay value.
- • Include longshots in your exotics. One 20-1 or 30-1 horse landing in the top four can turn a $2.40 Superfecta box into a life-changing payout.
- • Factor in the two-week turnaround. Horses coming off the Kentucky Derby have just two weeks of recovery. Fitness and trainer management are critical — follow workouts closely in the week before the race.
- • Box your exotic bets. A boxed Trifecta on three horses costs $12 and pays regardless of the finishing order among your three picks.
- • Watch jockey and trainer trends. Certain trainers have exceptional Preakness records, and some jockeys thrive in the unique two-week pressure-cooker environment of the Triple Crown.
- • Check Maryland weather on race morning. A wet or muddy track at Laurel Park completely reshapes the race. Mudders jump dramatically in value the moment rain hits the forecast.
- • Watch the tote board. Late money on a horse signals confidence. A horse drifting from 15-1 down to 8-1 in the final hour is worth a second look.
Stay tuned to US Racing News for the latest Preakness Stakes news and expert picks as May 16 approaches. Key factors like a late scratch, a pace mismatch, or an unexpected post
position can shift the entire race on draw day.
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Preakness Stakes 2026 Contenders
The 2026 Preakness Stakes field is open to all eligible three-year-old Thoroughbreds. Unlike the Kentucky Derby, there is no points-based qualification system — connections can enter their horses directly. Track every
contender and every update on the Preakness Stakes contenders page.
Notable update: Kentucky Derby contender Golden Tempo will bypass the Preakness Stakes to focus preparation on the Belmont Stakes, the third and final leg of the Triple Crown.
Probable Starters
| Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start |
Chip Honcho Connect | 7.56 | Steven M. Asmussen / Jose L. Ortiz | 5th (103), 2026 Louisiana Derby G2 |
Iron Honor Nyquist | 7.49 | Chad C. Brown | 7th (94), 2026 Wood Memorial G2 |
Talkin Good Magic | 7.36 | Danny Gargan | 3rd (110), 2026 Blue Grass G1 |
Great White Volatile | 7.26 | John Ennis | 5th (98), 2026 Blue Grass G1 |
Napoleon Solo Liam's Map | 7.14 | Chad Summers | 5th (96), 2026 Wood Memorial G2 |
Taj Mahal Nyquist | 7.09 | Brittany T. Russell | 1st (121), 2026 Federico Tesio LS |
Ocelli Connect | 7.05 | D. Whitworth Beckman | 3rd (108), 2026 Kentucky Derby G1 |
The Hell We Did Authentic | 6.84 | Todd W. Fincher | 2nd (111), 2026 Lexington G3 |
Crupper Candy Ride | 6.77 | Donnie K. Von Hemel / Junior Alvarado | 1st (102), 2026 Bathhouse Row LS |
Crude Velocity Beau Liam | 7.81 | Bob Baffert | 1st (129), 2026 Pat Day Mile G2 |
Silent Tactic Tacitus | 7.79 | Mark E. Casse | 2nd (115), 2026 Arkansas Derby G1 |
Bull By The Horns Essential Quality | 6.87 | Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. | 1st (100), 2026 Rushaway LS — Next: Peter Pan G3 |
Express Kid Bodexpress | 6.71 | Justin R. Evans | 2nd (119), 2026 Sunland Derby LS |
Robusta Accelerate | 6.60 | Doug F. O'Neill | 14th (88), 2026 Kentucky Derby G1 |
Corona de Oro Bolt d'Oro | 5.47 | Dallas Stewart | 3rd (110), 2026 Lexington G3 |
Ababajoni Neolithic | — | Rohan G. Crichton | 1st (108), GP AOC (04/17/2026-R7) |
Losmastix Tathqeef | — | Antonio Sano | 1st (87), GP SOC (03/20/2026-R9) |
Pretty Boy Miah Beau Liam | — | Jeremiah C. Englehart | 1st (116), Aqu Str (4/25/26-R3) |
Wild Warrior Improbable | — | Gary A. Capuano | 2nd (110), 2026 Federico Tesio LS |
* Golden Tempo will bypass the 2026 Preakness Stakes and instead point toward the Belmont Stakes as the connections focus on the third jewel of the Triple Crown.
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Preakness Stakes 2026 Prop Bets
Beyond the standard win, place, and show pools, USRacing.com gives you
access to more Preakness Stakes prop bets than any other platform:
- • Winning trainer — Bob Baffert, Steven Asmussen, Chad Brown, Mark Casse, and more
- • Winning jockey — Jose L. Ortiz, Junior Alvarado, Irad Ortiz Jr., and more
- • Margin of victory — by a nose, by a length, by 5 or more
- • Triple Crown Contention — will the Preakness winner attempt the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes
- • Fresh Shooter vs. Derby Runner — will a horse that skipped the Kentucky Derby win the Preakness
These prop markets open well before race day and offer excellent value
for bettors who do their homework on the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Preakness Stakes 2026?
The 2026 Preakness Stakes runs on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Laurel Park
in Laurel, Maryland. Post time is approximately 7:00 PM ET. It is the 151st running of the race and carries a $2 million purse with $1.1 million
going to the winner.
Where is the 2026 Preakness Stakes being held?
The 2026 Preakness Stakes is held at Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland, while the historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore undergoes a major redevelopment project. Laurel Park is one of the premier Thoroughbred racing facilities in the Mid-Atlantic region, featuring a modern one-mile main track and excellent facilities for horses, horsemen, and fans.
Where can I bet on the Preakness Stakes 2026 online?
You can bet on the Preakness Stakes 2026 right now at USRacing.com. Sign up
takes under 3 minutes. New members get a $1,000 Sign Up Cash Bonus plus a
10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers. Live odds, full race
streaming, and the complete Preakness card are all available in one place.
What is the Preakness Stakes 2026 purse?
The 2026 Preakness Stakes purse is $2 million, with $1.1 million guaranteed
to the winner. It is the second jewel of the Triple Crown and one of the most prestigious races in American horse racing.
What channel is the Preakness Stakes 2026 on?
The Preakness Stakes 2026 airs live on NBC and streams on Peacock.
USRacing.com also streams the full Preakness Day card live so you can watch
every race and place your bets in one place.
Is Golden Tempo running in the 2026 Preakness Stakes?
No. Golden Tempo's connections have announced that the horse will bypass the 2026 Preakness Stakes and instead target the Belmont Stakes as the next start. The decision allows Golden Tempo additional preparation time for the final leg of the Triple Crown.
May 16, 2026, is almost here. The field is taking shape, the odds are live, and the
best betting positions go to those who get in early. Sign up today at
USRacing.com, claim your $1,000 Sign Up Cash Bonus, earn a 10% horse betting
rebate paid daily on selected wagers, and watch the 151st Preakness Stakes
live at Laurel Park. This is the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown. Do not watch it from the sidelines.
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