Taj Mahal is unbeaten and comes into Preakness 151 of a big score in the Fedrico Tesio Stakes
photo by Laurel
The 2026 Preakness Stakes will be contested at Laurel Park in the great state of Maryland for the first time ever. Historically run at Pimlico Race Course, also in Maryland, the second jewel in the Triple Crown series for three-year-old Thoroughbreds has been relocated this year due to renovations being made to this Baltimore oval.
This 151st edition of one of the nation’s most historic races has a full field of fourteen colts bucking for their spot in the history books and their share of $2 million in purse money. A notable absentee from the group will be Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo as his connections have decided to bypass the race and await the Belmont Stakes on June 6. Because only three Kentucky Derby runners (Ocelli, Robusta, Incredibolt) have decided to make the two-week turnaround, a larger group of glory-seekers are eager to enter the starting gates. That is great news for fans and the speculating public.
A capacity field makes for great competition and hefty potential payouts for those who invest wisely. Let’s take a look at the field and provide a thought on each. The runner’s will be listed by post position with trainer, jockey, and morning line. The Preakness will be run at a mile and three sixteenths distance on May 16 and is carded as race 13 with an expected post time of 7:01 p.m. EST.
1. Taj Mahal (Brittany Russell, Sheldon Russell 5-1)
Unbeaten son of Nyquist has made all three career starts here at Laurel so that gives him home field advantage. As a horse that likes to get out and go on the front end, the rail draw may present a challenge with other speed in the race. He is certainly live coming in and trainer could make it a female double in first two legs of Triple Crown. First start in graded Stakes company for this Florida-bred so we look elsewhere for our winner, but a horse for exotic wagers.
2. Ocelli (D. Whitworth Beckman, Tyler Gafflione 6-1)
Winless in seven career starts but it looked as if he was going to break his maiden in the Kentucky Derby in deep stretch…and then the deep closers ran by him and he finished third at odds of 70-1. Son of Connect bounced back well after his Derby run and has one second and four third place finishes to his credit. A runner with grit, but not likely he gets that first win here.
Ocelli comes to the Preakness off a third place finish in the Kentucky Derby?Derby at odds of 70-1
photo by Laurel
3. Crupper (Donnie K Von Hemel, Junior Alvarado 30-1)
Bathhouse Row stakes winner in his last start on April 18 at Oaklawn Park provided an automatic entry for this son of Candy Ride. Runs better when he is on or near the lead so he could help induce a lively early pace. Two wins and three third place finishes in six lifetime starts. Not on our live longshot list.
4. Robusta (Doug O’Neill, Rafael Bejarano 30-1)
Four consecutive graded Stakes starts means this son of Accelerate is battle tested. Ran a lackluster 14th in Kentucky Derby but has bounced out in good order. Was a tough-running second in the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita in March and if he returns to that form could be a horse that shocks the world. A longshot to play across the board and in exotics.
5. Talkin (Danny Gargan, Irad Ortiz Jr. 20-1)
Another longshot that has made four consecutive starts in graded Stakes company. Son of Good Magic was a distant third in Blue Grass Stakes in his last start. Bullet half-mile work at Keeneland on May 9 and Irad in the Irons might raise a few eyebrows and lower his price at the windows.
6. Chip Honcho (Steve Asmussen, Jose Ortiz 5-1)
Son of Connect has two wins and two seconds in six lifetime starts and chose to skip the Kentucky Derby and set his sights on Preakness. Won the Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds to close his two-year-old campaign but has been winless in three Stakes starts this year. Could influence the early pace and gets the Kentucky Derby winning jockey. A horse for the superfecta that has the class to win.
7. The Hell We Did (Todd Fincher, Luis Saez 15-1)
A horse that will get bet because of that award-winning name. Ran a spirited second in Lexington Stakes in his last start and has two wins and two seconds in four lifetime starts. Jockey is always live and this son of Authentic has two solid works over this track. Worth a play across the board and who knows, it might be The Hell We Did.
8. Bull by the Horns (Saffie Joseph Jr., Micah Husbands 30-1)
Closed to win the Rushaway Stakes on synthetic surface at Turfway Park in his last start on March 21. Five career starts has seen two wins and two third place finishes for this son of Essential Quality. Don’t think there is enough Bull to grab these Horns in this race.
9. Iron Honor (Chad Brown, Flavien Prat 9-2)
Morning line favorite was seventh in Wood Memorial in his last start and skipped the Kentucky Derby. Trainer has won this race twice with horses that bypassed the first Saturday in May. Will be the fourth career start for this son of Nyquist and his rider is one of the best. A serious threat for all those reasons but not our top selection.
Napoleon Solo will be one of the runners looking for the early lead
photo by Laurel
10. Napoleon Solo (Chad Summers, Paco Lopez 8-1)
Son of Liam’s map conquered both races as a two-year old in style but has been winless in two runs at the age of three. Faded to fifth in the Wood Memorial in his last start and should be a pace influencer on the front end. His rider is fearless and he will be part of the early mix for sure. Not the likely winner.
11. Corona d’Oro (Dallas Stewart, John Velazquez 30-1)
Speedy son of Bolt d’Oro will be another runner that wants to be on the lead. Has a great gate jockey and a trainer that can get runners to rise to the occasion. Finished third in Lexington Stakes in his last start. Has been in top three in all three starts this year, but not against this company. Will be in the early call but a likely fader.
Incredibolt is our top pick to win Preakness 151
Danny Brewer
12. Incredibolt (Riley Mott, Jaime Torres 5-1)
Three wins in six lifetime starts for this son of Bolt d’Oro and is coming in off a solid sixth place finish in the Kentucky Derby. Won the Virginia Derby on March 14 in a stalking style that could be perfect in this scenario. Recent works have been very good and he looks to be in good form. Our top pick in this one for a bright and blossoming young trainer.
13. Great White (John Ennis, Alex Achard 15-1)
A large horse that makes Refrigerator Perry look small. Was supposed to run in the Kentucky Derby but was scratched at the gate after tossing his jockey. Was part of the early pace in the Blue Grass stakes before fading to fifth. Another runner that likes to be out front and from his outside post he could steamroll to the lead. Two wins in four lifetime starts but don’t think he gets another “W” here.
14. Pretty Boy Miah (Jeremiah Englehart, Ricardo Santana Jr. 15-1)
Two wins in a row for this New York-based runner who will be making his first start outside the Gotham state and first foray in graded Stakes company. Yes, another runner that likes to be on or near the lead which makes for a potentially quick run onto the back stretch. Not pretty enough to be considered as our boy.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/dannybrewer/2026/05/14/the-14-horses-competing-in-the-2026-preakness-stakes/
