| The Hell We Did — 2026 Preakness Stakes Profile | |
|---|---|
| Horse | The Hell We Did |
| Sire | Authentic |
| Owner | Peacock Family Racing Stable, LLC |
| Trainer | Todd W. Fincher |
| Jockey | L. Sáez |
| Post Position | 7 |
| Morning Line Odds | 15-1 |
| Running Style | Pacesetter / Early Presser |
| Top Speed Figure | 123 (HRN) |
| Race | 151st Preakness Stakes, Laurel Park |
| Distance | 1 3/16 Miles (Dirt) |
| Previous Start | 2nd. 2026 Lexington (G3), Keeneland |
For the complete field and current Preakness Stakes odds, cross-reference official entries at BUSR, where you can pull full past performances and official scratches as they come in through race day.
The Hell We Did is one of the most underrated horses in the 2026 Preakness field at 15-1. The Authentic colt trained by Todd Fincher posted a 123 speed figure, winning the Sunland Park allowance in March — a number that ranks second only to Iron Honor's debut 124 in this entire field. He followed that with a second-place finish in the Lexington (G3) at Keeneland, posting a 111 behind Trendsetter. Luis Sáez takes the mount from post 7 at 15-1. When one of the most accomplished jockeys in American racing books a 15-1 shot in a Grade I, the number deserves serious attention before you finalize your Preakness Stakes betting ticket.
What makes The Hell We Did particularly compelling is his trajectory. He has improved in every meaningful start — from 92 in his debut to 111 in the Zia Park Juvenile Stakes to 123 in his Sunland allowance win. His wins have come at Remington Park and Sunland Park, two tracks that do not carry the prestige of the traditional Triple Crown trail, but his figures have been produced against competitive fields on dirt. The Lexington, second to Trendsetter and ahead of Corona de Oro, who is also in this Preakness field, gives him a direct head-to-head benchmark. Let's break down what you need to know before building your ticket around The Hell We Did.
| Date | Track | Race Type | Distance | Surface | Finish | 1st Place (Fig) | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/11/26 | KEE | G3 | 1 1/16M | Dirt-Fast | 2nd (111) | Trendsetter (114) | The Hell We Did (111) | Corona de Oro (110) | 1:44.51 |
| 3/15/26 | SUN | Allowance | 6F | Dirt-Fast | 1st (123) | The Hell We Did (123) | Fire Breather (97) | Angel's Shadows (97) | 1:08.17 |
| 11/25/25 | ZIA | Juvenile S. | 6F | Dirt-Fast | 2nd (111) | Walter the Mason (118) | The Hell We Did (111) | Stretch (105) | 1:09.82 |
| 10/16/25 | RP | Msw | 6F | Dirt-Fast | 1st (92) | The Hell We Did (92) | Makeshift's Legacy (92) | Speed It Up (85) | 1:11.41 |
Post 7 is one of the better draws in this race for a horse whose running style is described as a pacesetter and early presser. From the middle of the gate, Sáez has genuine options: push forward and challenge Taj Mahal and Chip Honcho for the early lead, or rate back a length or two and stalk the pace from a tracking position. Neither option requires burning excessive energy, because post 7 does not demand the wide early moves that handicap horses from posts 11 through 14. The Hell We Did's tactical flexibility — his ability to either press or stalk — becomes a real asset from this draw in a way it simply would not from the outside posts.
The 123 figure at Sunland demands attention. That figure came against an allowance field, not graded stakes company, but speed is speed. A horse who ran 123 at six furlongs and then ran 111 in a Grade III at a mile and a sixteenth has shown genuine ability at both distances and both levels. The step up to 1 3/16 miles in the Preakness is the remaining unknown — his four career starts have all been at six furlongs or a mile and a sixteenth, and the added distance could test his stamina in the final turn. Authentic breeding generally handles distance well, which is a meaningful positive sign going into a two-turn Grade I.
The Hell We Did's pace scenario from post 7 is one of the most interesting in this field. As an early presser, he is positioned directly between the committed front-runners — Taj Mahal at post 1 and Chip Honcho at post 6 — and the mid-pack closers. If Sáez pushes him to press the pace alongside Chip Honcho, the early fractions get hot and the closers benefit. If Sáez rates him back off those two and settles him in fourth or fifth, The Hell We Did becomes a stalker with a clear view of the race developing in front of him. That second scenario — rating comfortably off a contested early pace and making one sustained run — is where his 123 raw speed and Sáez's tactical intelligence combine most dangerously.
The Lexington, second behind Trendsetter, is directly relevant here. In that race, he ran 111 in a Grade III at Keeneland, finishing ahead of Corona de Oro (110), who is also in this Preakness field. That head-to-head comparison matters. If The Hell We Did runs his Lexington figure at Laurel Park, he is competitive with the mid-tier horses in this field. If he returns to his 123 Sunland form, he is competitive with anyone. At 15-1, that upside makes him one of the most interesting value plays on the board. Check the Belmont Stakes betting guide for Triple Crown ticket planning this spring.
Here is the practical breakdown for how sharp bettors should think about using The Hell We Did on a ticket at 15-1.
Win Single: Legitimate at 15-1. A 123 speed figure, Luis Sáez in the irons, a clean post 7 draw, and an improving form profile make The Hell We Did one of the stronger win single cases among the double-digit prices in this field. The distance question is the only reservation.
Exacta: The Hell We Did on top with Iron Honor or Incredibolt underneath. If he fires and leads at the top of the stretch, a closer running him down for second is the most probable outcome. A two-horse exacta costs $4 at a $2 base.
Trifecta: Use The Hell We Did on top in upset-scenario trifectas, pairing with Iron Honor and Incredibolt in second and third. At 15-1 on top, the trifecta payout is substantial even with short-priced horses underneath.
Superfecta: The Hell We Did on top or in second across multiple superfecta combinations. His 123 figure and clean post draw make him worth using in multiple positions in a $0.10 base wheel. Check the full horse betting guide for structuring exotic tickets efficiently.
For multi-leg plays across the Triple Crown, visit the bet on Preakness Stakes page and the Triple Crown bonus page at US Racing.
Ever wonder how a horse like Preakness contender The Hell We Did gets a name like that? I asked trainer @ToddFincher this morning.
The Hell We Did" Preakness Stakes Performance and Expectations
While "The Hell We Did" has shown promise in shorter races, his lack of experience in longer distances and the competitive nature of the Preakness make him a somewhat risky bet. However, the weak field and favorable post position could work in his favor.
The Hell We Did opened at 15-1 on the morning line for the 151st Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park on May 16, 2026. He drew post position 7 in the 14-horse field. The 15-1 significantly undervalues his 123 speed figure and the Luis Sáez booking, making him one of the more attractive overlays in the race.
The Hell We Did is trained by Todd W. Fincher and ridden by Luis Sáez from post 7 at Laurel Park. Sáez is one of the top five jockeys in American racing — his decision to ride this horse in a Grade I is a meaningful positive signal that connections believe strongly in this horse's ability.
The Hell We Did is a legitimate win single at 15-1 and a strong trifecta top selection for bettors who project an upset scenario. Pair him on top with Iron Honor and Incredibolt underneath for a cost-effective trifecta. A $0.10 superfecta with The Hell We Did in first and second positions gives you multi-scenario coverage. Visit the BC free bet page at US Racing for current promotions.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
