| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Golden Tempo | SCR |
| Silent Tactic | TBD |
| Crude Velocity | TBD |
| Chip Honcho | TBD |
| Iron Honor | TBD |
| Talkin | TBD |
| Ottinho | TBD |
| Cherokee Nation | TBD |
| Napoleon Solo | TBD |
| Taj Mahal | TBD |
| Great White | TBD |
Last Updated on 05/06/2026
The Preakness Stakes is the second jewel of the Triple Crown, and US Racing is your authoritative destination for 2026 Preakness Stakes odds, contender analysis, and expert picks. Whether you're placing a futures bet after the Kentucky Derby or looking for live race-day odds, this guide covers everything you need to bet smarter on the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown.
The 151th running of the Preakness Stakes takes place on Saturday, May 16th, 2026, at Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland. Post time is approximately 7:00 PM ET. The total purse stands at $2 million, with $1.1 million awarded to the winner. The race is contested at 1³⁄₁₆ miles (9.5 furlongs) over dirt by three-year-old Thoroughbreds. Note: This year's Preakness Stakes is held at Laurel Park while Pimlico Race Course undergoes a transformative redevelopment.
BUSR offers fixed-odds wagering on the Preakness Stakes — one of the few platforms where you can lock in your price before post time. That means no tote fluctuations: the odds you bet are the odds you get paid. Below, you'll find live odds, in-depth contender breakdowns, prep race analysis, and expert insight to help you find value in the 2026 Preakness field.
| Race | 151th Preakness Stakes — The Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, May 16th, 2026 |
| Post Time | Approximately 7:00 PM ET |
| Location | Laurel Park, Laurel, Maryland |
| Distance | 1³⁄₁₆ Miles (9.5 Furlongs) — Dirt |
| Purse | $2,000,000 ($1.1M to the winner) |
| Field | Three-Year-Old Thoroughbreds |
| Fixed Odds | Available Now at BUSR — Bet Today's Price |
The road to the 151th Preakness Stakes has reached its decisive moment following the Kentucky Derby. With the field now taking shape, the focus shifts to the Saturday, May 16th, 2026, race at Laurel Park in Maryland.
Golden Tempo, coming off a amazing victory in the Kentucky Derby, has emerged as the clear betting favorite at suggested 4-1 odds, but, after the Preakness Stakes bypassing, the field is now open for other contenders to shine, and making possible a Belmont Stakes Matchup between the Kentucky Derby winner vs Preankess Stakes winner. While the futures market remains fluid as connections prepare for the post-position draw on May 11th, sharp bettors are currently identifying Crude Velocity as the betting favorite. For full strategy and expert picks, read our 2026 Preakness Stakes Betting Guide. See where every horse stands on the Preakness Stakes Contenders page. The 2026 three-year-old crop has completed the Kentucky Derby, and the Preakness field is taking shape ahead of the second Triple Crown leg at Laurel Park. The following profiles cover the status and updated betting context for the leading Preakness Stakes contenders as of post-Derby week. The odds shown are estimates from the US Racing handicappers' board and don't reflect the real money-line odds. After May 11th, the odds will be replaced with the official odds. This year's Preakness Stakes is held at Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland, while the historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore undergoes a major redevelopment. Laurel Park is one of the Mid-Atlantic's premier Thoroughbred racing facilities, featuring a modern one-mile main track, a spacious grandstand, and excellent facilities for horses and horsemen. Since 2000, the Kentucky Derby winner has started in the Preakness 18 times and won 11 of those races. However, the Preakness has also produced several upsets, with fresh shooters who skipped the Derby combining for multiple victories. The two-week turnaround tests fitness and trainer skill — and sharp bettors who track workouts and connections' post-Derby statements often find early value before the market adjusts. US Racing's horse racing analysts have broken down the 2026 Preakness field with one goal: finding the best bets at the right price. Here's our current expert assessment of the market in the week following the Kentucky Derby. Jockey assignments for the 2026 Preakness field are not confirmed yet; on May 11th, when the Preakness Gate Draw is finished, we will see the connections made through the jockey assignment. Q: Who is the favorite for the 2026 Preakness Stakes? A: Crude Velocity (Bob Baffert) is the one called to win the Preakness. Due to the Golden Tempo scratch, the market is expected to shift as connections confirm their Preakness plans in the days following the Derby. Q: How do Preakness Stakes odds work? A: Traditional Preakness wagering is pari-mutuel: all bets on a race go into a communal pool, the track takes its cut (typically 17-20%), and the remainder is divided among winning tickets. Odds represent the ratio of money bet against a horse relative to the total pool. BUSR offers fixed odds, where your payout is locked in at the time you place your bet, regardless of subsequent market movement. Q: When are Preakness Stakes odds updated? A: Live futures odds at BUSR racebook are updated continuously in the two-week window between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. The most significant updates come immediately after the Derby and following trainer announcements about their horses' Preakness plans. Q: Where is the 2026 Preakness Stakes being held? A: The 2026 Preakness Stakes is being held at Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland, while the historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore undergoes a major redevelopment project. Laurel Park offers a modern racing facility with a one-mile main track and excellent amenities for horsemen and fans. Q: What is the Preakness Stakes purse in 2026? A: The 2026 Preakness Stakes purse is $2 million. The winner receives $1.1 million, second place earns $400,000, third place earns $200,000, fourth place earns $100,000, and fifth place earns $60,000. Q: Can I bet on the Preakness Stakes with fixed odds? A: Yes. BUSR offers fixed-odds betting on the Preakness Stakes, meaning the price you see when you place your bet is the price you get paid — regardless of how the tote market moves on race day. This is particularly valuable for bettors who identify post-Derby overlays before the market corrects. Q: How many horses run in the Preakness Stakes? A: Unlike the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes does not have a set field cap determined by a points system. Any eligible three-year-old Thoroughbred may enter. Fields typically range from 8 to 14 horses, depending on how many connections choose to run after the Kentucky Derby. Q: Do fresh horses that skipped the Derby win the Preakness? A: Yes, historically. Horses that skipped the Kentucky Derby — so-called "fresh shooters" — have won the Preakness Stakes multiple times. The two-week turnaround from the Derby can leave some horses vulnerable to a well-rested opponent. Always check the entries carefully for unbeaten or lightly raced horses bypassing Churchill Downs and targeting Laurel Park directly. BUSR offers the most Preakness Stakes wagers of any horse betting site — including fixed odds, futures, exotics, and live race-day pools. Lock in today's prices before the post-Derby market reshapes the field at Laurel Park.2026 Preakness Stakes Top Contenders — Analysis and Betting Angles
1. Golden Tempo - -/- (scratched)
Horse Golden Tempo Odds SCR Trainer Cherie DeVaux Jockey TBD Sire Curlin HRN Rating 7.89 Last Race 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) -- 1st (109 fig, May 2, 2026) Analysis The Kentucky Derby winner and top-rated horse in the 2026 Preakness field by HRN rating (7.89), Golden Tempo arrives at Laurel Park as the clear-cut favorite in pursuit of the Triple Crown. Trained by Cherie DeVaux, a conditioner with a proven ability to manage horses through the Triple Crown grind, the Curlin colt posted a 109 Beyer in his Derby victory, the top figure in the current field. The two-week turnaround historically suits horses who do not require a pace meltdown to win, and Golden Tempo's running style fits the 1 3/16-mile configuration well. His Preakness bypass has been confirmed as of May 6, 2026. Trainer Cherie DeVaux said it is "on the table," for the Belmont Stakes. 2. Silent Tactic - 25/1
Horse Silent Tactic Odds 25/1 Trainer Mark E. Casse Jockey TBD Sire Tacitus HRN Rating 7.78 Last Race 2026 Arkansas Derby (G1) -- 2nd (115 fig) Analysis The most compelling value play in the 2026 Preakness field. Silent Tactic posted the highest Beyer Speed Figure of any horse in this field, a 115 in the Arkansas Derby (G1), which went under the radar because he finished second. Mark Casse's Tacitus colt bypassed the Kentucky Derby to point directly to Laurel Park, arriving with maximum freshness and a speed figure that dwarfs anything the Derby returnees posted at Churchill Downs. A 115 Beyer is a Preakness-winning figure in most years. At 25/1 in the Future Wager pool, this is outstanding Win value in the field and the most important horse in any serious exotic ticket. 3. Crude Velocity - 4/1
Horse Crude Velocity Odds 25/1 Trainer Bob Baffert Jockey TBD Sire Beau Liam HRN Rating 7.67 Last Race 2026 Pat Day Mile (G2) -- 1st (129 fig) Analysis The most explosive speed figure in the entire 2026 Preakness probable field. Crude Velocity's 129 Beyer in the Pat Day Mile (G2) at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day is a number that commands immediate respect -- it is 14 points higher than any other horse in this field recorded in their most recent start. Bob Baffert is the all-time Preakness Stakes leader with 8 victories, and his ability to peak a horse for a Triple Crown race on a short turnaround is unmatched in modern racing history. The key question is whether Crude Velocity can stretch the 1 3/16 miles after running the Pat Day Mile at one mile, but Baffert horses have answered that question before. At 4/1 in the Future Wager pool, he is the early favorite and a must-use in all exotic combinations and a legitimate straight Win contender. 4. Chip Honcho - 25/1
Horse Chip Honcho Odds 25/1 Trainer Steven M. Asmussen Jockey TBD Sire Connect HRN Rating 7.56 Last Race 2026 Louisiana Derby (G2) -- 5th (103 fig) Analysis Steven Asmussen's Connect colt carries a strong HRN rating (7.56) into the Preakness despite a disappointing fifth-place finish in the Louisiana Derby (G2). A 103 Beyer in that effort was below expectations, but Asmussen is one of the shrewdest conditioners in the country, and horses from his barn frequently bounce back sharply after a prep-race setback. The Louisiana Derby has a mixed record as a Preakness prep, and Chip Honcho's connections clearly believe Laurel Park is the right target. At 25/1 in the Future Wager pool, he represents a compelling contrarian play for bettors willing to look past one subpar effort -- a key Superfecta and Trifecta inclusion in any multi-horse ticket. 5. Taj Mahal - 20/1
Horse Taj Mahal Odds 20/1 Trainer Brittany T. Russell Jockey TBD Sire Nyquist HRN Rating 7.09 Last Race 2026 Federico Tesio (LS) -- 1st (121 fig) Analysis The most interesting local angle in the 2026 Preakness. Taj Mahal won the Federico Tesio Stakes, the traditional local prep for Laurel Park, with a sharp 121 Beyer Speed Figure, the second-highest figure posted by any horse in this probable field. Brittany Russell's Nyquist colt is undefeated in three career starts, all run at Laurel Park, giving him a genuine home-track advantage no other contender can match. The Federico Tesio is specifically designed as a Preakness prep and has produced multiple competitive Preakness horses in recent years. At 20/1, Taj Mahal is a serious overlay, the best longshot Win value in the race, and an automatic inclusion in every Trifecta and Superfecta ticket at this price. 6. Iron Honor - 19/1
Horse Iron Honor Odds 19/1 Trainer Chad C. Brown Jockey TBD Sire Nyquist HRN Rating 7.49 Last Race 2026 Wood Memorial (G2) -- 7th (94 fig) Analysis Chad Brown's top Preakness hope is a horse who has clearly underperformed his talent level in recent starts. A 94 Beyer and seventh-place finish in the Wood Memorial (G2) is a troubling prep on the surface, but Brown's HRN rating of 7.49 for Iron Honor reflects his underlying class and prior form. Brown is historically one of the best trainers at finding spots for horses who have bounced off a bad effort, and the Preakness, with its smaller, more manageable field, could be the right race to find him back on song. At 19/1 in the Future Wager pool, use cautiously -- place him in Trifecta and Superfecta tickets but hold off on Win exposure until the post draw and final workouts are assessed. 7. Ottinho - 70/1
Horse Ottinho Odds 70/1 Trainer Chad C. Brown Jockey TBD Sire Quality Road HRN Rating 7.40 Last Race 2026 Blue Grass (G1) -- 2nd (113 fig) Analysis Chad Brown's second Preakness entry and arguably the more encouraging of the two. Ottinho finished second in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, posting a 113 Beyer that ranks among the top figures in the current field. Brown deploys a two-pronged Preakness attack with Iron Honor and Ottinho, maximizing his barn's chances of winning the second jewel. A Quality Road colt is bred to be effective at middle distances, and the step back from the Blue Grass to 1 3/16 miles is an asset rather than a liability. At 70/1 in the Future Wager pool, Ottinho is a deep longshot inclusion but his Blue Grass form gives him a genuine each-way case at the right price. 8. Talkin - 50/1
Horse Talkin Odds 50/1 Trainer Danny Gargan Jockey TBD Sire Good Magic HRN Rating 7.36 Last Race 2026 Blue Grass (G1) -- 3rd (110 fig) Analysis Danny Gargan's Good Magic colt ran a solid third in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, posting a 110 Beyer in a Grade 1 field -- a figure that translates well to the 1 3/16-mile Preakness distance. Gargan is a respected conditioner who has shown the ability to bring horses to peak form for major spots, and Talkin's Blue Grass effort suggests he has the class to be competitive at this level. He bypassed the Kentucky Derby to point directly at Laurel Park, arriving fresh and benefiting from the lighter wear of skipping Churchill Downs. At 50/1 in the Future Wager pool, Talkin is a strong Trifecta and Superfecta inclusion and a credible longshot Win play for bettors who appreciate fresh horses with graded-stakes form. 9. The Hell We Did - 50/1
Horse The Hell We Did Odds 50/1 Trainer Todd W. Fincher Jockey TBD Sire Authentic HRN Rating 6.12 Last Race 2026 Lexington (G3) -- 2nd (111 fig) Analysis Todd Fincher's Authentic colt enters as one of the more intriguing longshots in the 2026 Preakness. A second-place finish in the Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland produced a respectable 111 Beyer, better than Chip Honcho's most recent figure, and Fincher has been quietly building this horse toward a peak Laurel Park effort. The HRN rating (6.12) is the lowest among the Probable entrants, reflecting his less-proven record at the graded stakes level, but his Beyer trajectory and fresh approach make him a compelling low-cost Superfecta inclusion. At 50/1 in the Future Wager pool, a $0.10 Superfecta ticket covering him in fourth is virtually free, and the upside if he fires a career-best is significant. 10. Cherokee Nation - 22/1
Horse Cherokee Nation Odds 22/1 Trainer Bob Baffert Jockey TBD Sire Not This Time HRN Rating 7.34 Last Race 2026 Santa Anita Derby (G1) -- 6th (104 fig) Analysis Bob Baffert's second Preakness entry and a horse whose talent exceeds his most recent result. A sixth-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and a 104 Beyer do not jump off the page, but Baffert is the Preakness Stakes all-time wins leader (8 victories) and has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to peak horses between their last prep and the second jewel. A Not This Time colt carries a pedigree profile that suggests improvement with distance and maturity, both factors that favor the Preakness over the Derby's more demanding 10-furlong test. At 22/1 in the Future Wager pool, Cherokee Nation is a value-oriented Trifecta and Superfecta inclusion alongside stablemate Crude Velocity. 11. Napoleon Solo - 40/1
Horse Napoleon Solo Odds 40/1 Trainer Chad Summers Jockey TBD Sire Liam's Map HRN Rating 7.14 Last Race 2026 Wood Memorial (G2) -- 5th (96 fig) Analysis Chad Summers' Liam's Map colt finished fifth in the Wood Memorial (G2) with a 96 Beyer, a modest figure that raises questions at this level. His HRN rating (7.14) suggests underlying ability beyond his most recent effort, and his next declared target is the Long Branch Stakes rather than the Preakness outright, which introduces some uncertainty around his participation at Laurel Park. Connections will likely use the Long Branch as a final fitness test before making a final call. At 40/1 in the Future Wager pool, he is a low-cost inclusion in wide Superfecta tickets but warrants no straight Win investment unless his Long Branch performance delivers a major step forward. 12. Express Kid - N/A*
Horse Express Kid Odds N/A* Trainer Justin R. Evans Jockey TBD Sire Bodexpress HRN Rating 6.71 Last Race 2026 Sunland Derby (LS) -- 2nd (119 fig) Analysis The most overlooked horse in the probable Preakness field. Express Kid posted a 119 Beyer Speed Figure finishing second in the Sunland Derby, a figure that only Crude Velocity, Silent Tactic, and Taj Mahal have bettered among the current probables. He comes from the Southwest prep route via Justin Evans' barn, which rarely produces Preakness starters, and the public will likely dismiss him at the windows. Not included in the Future Wager pool -- identified as a late post-Derby addition by DRF and Paulick Report. A Bodexpress colt with a 119 Beyer and a direct Preakness declaration deserves far more respect than his morning-line odds will reflect. Prime $0.10 Superfecta value. 13. Crupper - 99/1
Horse Crupper Odds 99/1 Trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel Jockey TBD Sire Candy Ride HRN Rating 6.73 Last Race 2026 Bathhouse Row (LS) -- 1st (102 fig) Analysis Donnie Von Hemel's Candy Ride colt won the Bathhouse Row Stakes at Oaklawn Park to secure his Preakness declaration, posting a 102 Beyer in the process. The figure is the lowest among declared horses and represents a significant step up in class -- the Bathhouse Row is a listed stakes, not a graded event -- but Von Hemel has made this exact move before with horses pointed at Triple Crown races from the Oaklawn Park pipeline. At 99/1 in the Future Wager pool, Crupper is a deep Superfecta inclusion for bettors constructing wide tickets, but no Win or Trifecta investment is warranted unless workouts out of Laurel Park show a significant fitness upgrade. 14. Great White - 90/1
Horse Great White Odds 90/1 Trainer John Ennis Jockey TBD Sire Volatile HRN Rating 7.17 Last Race 2026 Blue Grass (G1) -- 5th (98 fig) Analysis John Ennis' Volatile colt ran fifth in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland with a 98 Beyer, a competitive effort in a Grade 1 field. His HRN rating (7.17) is respectable and above several of the horses ahead of him in the probable list, reflecting consistent form across his prep campaign. Ennis trains a compact, well-managed string and has Great White pointing directly at Laurel Park with no intermediate start. At 90/1 in the Future Wager pool, he is a deep Superfecta inclusion and deserves consideration in the bottom slots of any $0.10 Superfecta box alongside the top contenders. 15. Pretty Boy Miah - N/A*
Horse Pretty Boy Miah Odds N/A* Trainer Jeremiah C. Englehart Jockey TBD Sire Beau Liam HRN Rating N/A Last Race Aqueduct Allowance (Str.) -- 1st (116 fig, Apr 25, 2026) Analysis The wildcard of the 2026 Preakness field. Pretty Boy Miah carries an unrated HRN profile (0.00), meaning insufficient graded-stakes data for a full rating, but his most recent Beyer of 116 in an Aqueduct allowance on April 25 is a genuinely eye-catching number. Jeremiah Englehart is a skilled New York-based conditioner who targets horses for major spots when he believes they are ready, and pointing an allowance winner directly to the Preakness just three weeks later is a bold declaration of confidence. A Beau Liam colt, same sire as Crude Velocity, brings an intriguing pedigree link to the barn's established Preakness contender. Not included in the Future Wager pool -- a late addition identified post-Derby. This is the ultimate $0.10 Superfecta speculation: almost no cost to include him, and enormous upside if Englehart has a live dark horse on his hands. 16. Talk To Me Jimmy - 50/1
Horse Talk To Me Jimmy Odds 50/1 Trainer Rudy R. Rodriguez Jockey TBD Sire Modernist HRN Rating 7.31 Last Race 2026 Wood Memorial (G2) -- 8th (94 fig) | Next: Peter Pan (G3) Analysis Rudy Rodriguez's Modernist colt finished eighth in the Wood Memorial (G2), the worst recent result among all Preakness possibles, and his next declared start is the Peter Pan Stakes (G3) at Belmont rather than the Preakness directly. His participation at Laurel Park is conditional on a strong Peter Pan performance, making him one of the more uncertain entries on the possible list. At a 94 Beyer in the Wood Memorial, significant improvement is required. However, his HRN rating (7.31) reflects a horse with more underlying ability than his most recent race showed, and the Peter Pan-to-Preakness path, while unusual, is not unprecedented. Monitor his Peter Pan result before placing any exotic ticket inclusion. Laurel Park — The 2026 Preakness Stakes Venue
→ Read more: Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park 2026 — What to Expect and How to Bet Kentucky Derby Winner in the Preakness — Historical Trends
→ Read more: Kentucky Derby Winner in the Preakness — Historical Win Rate and Betting Implications Expert 2026 Preakness Stakes Odds Analysis
US Racing Expert Analysis - 2026 Preakness Stakes [SOLID BET] Silent Tactic (25/1): Mark Casse's Tacitus colt posted the highest Beyer Speed Figure of any horse in the 2026 Preakness probable field, a 115 in the Arkansas Derby (G1), and bypassed the Kentucky Derby to target Laurel Park specifically. A 115 Beyer is a Preakness-winning figure in most years. He arrives fresh, sharp, and purpose-trained for this exact race. At 25/1, this is an outstanding Win value in the field and the most important horse on any serious exotic ticket. [VALUE PLAY] Taj Mahal (20/1): The most overlooked horse in the race. Brittany Russell's Nyquist colt won the Federico Tesio Stakes, the traditional local Laurel Park prep, with a 121 Beyer Speed Figure, the second-highest figure in the entire probable field. He is undefeated in three career starts, all at Laurel Park, and will be significantly overlooked at the windows due to his modest connections profile. At 20/1, Taj Mahal is the single best longshot Win value in the 2026 Preakness and an automatic inclusion in every Trifecta and Superfecta ticket. [LONGSHOT] Express Kid (N/A*): Justin Evans' Bodexpress colt posted a 119 Beyer finishing second in the Sunland Derby, a figure that only Crude Velocity, Silent Tactic, and Taj Mahal have bettered among the current probables. He comes from the Southwest prep route and will be almost entirely ignored at the windows. With no Future Wager odds published, this horse was a late addition identified post-Derby by DRF and Paulick Report. The speed figure demands serious respect, and the price is a massive overlay relative to his actual ability. Prime $0.10 Superfecta value -- at near-zero cost, there is no reason to leave him off your ticket. [SPECULATIVE] Crude Velocity (4/1): Bob Baffert's Pat Day Mile winner carries the most explosive figure in the field, a 129 Beyer, but the critical question is whether he can get the 1 3/16 miles at Laurel Park after running one mile on Derby Day. Baffert is the all-time Preakness wins leader (8 victories) and knows exactly how to stretch a horse's distance on the Triple Crown calendar. At 4/1, the talent is undeniable -- use him in all exotic combinations, and consider a modest Win bet if you believe the distance question has been answered in his morning workouts. Preakness Stakes Trainer Trends to Watch
Jockey Market
Preakness Stakes Odds FAQ
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The Preakness Stakes is on Saturday, May 16th, 2026
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