For the second consecutive year, the spotlight of the Preakness Stakes is on a notable absence rather than the contenders in the race.
Golden Tempo, the recent victor of the Kentucky Derby, will bypass the Preakness, opting instead to prepare for the Belmont Stakes, which is scheduled for June 6 at Saratoga.
While the absence of Golden Tempo might dampen casual interest, the Preakness still promises to deliver a thrilling competition featuring elite horses, with a formidable favorite leading the pack.
Iron Honor, wearing No. 9 and under the guidance of renowned trainer Chad C. Brown, is the frontrunner with 9-2 odds. Brown, who previously secured Preakness victories in 2017 with Cloud Computing and in 2022 with Early Voting, is no stranger to success at this event.
Chasing Iron Honor closely are Taj Mahal, Chip Honcho, and Incredibolt, each with morning line odds set at 5-1, promising an exciting race for enthusiasts and bettors alike.
Taj Mahal is a local horse that has won all three starts he’s made at Laurel Park, which is hosting the Preakness for the first time, with Pimlico under renovations.
Taj Mahal broke his maiden over this track in February and continued to improve with wins in the Miracle Wood and then in a dominant victory at the Federico Tesio.
2026 Preakness Stakes odds
| No. | Horse | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iron Honor | 9-2 |
| 2 | Chip Honcho | 5-1 |
| 3 | Taj Mahal | 5-1 |
| 4 | Incredibolt | 5-1 |
| 5 | Ocelli | 6-1 |
| 6 | Napoleon Solo | 8-1 |
| 7 | The Hell We Did | 15-1 |
| 8 | Great White | 15-1 |
| 9 | Pretty Boy Miah | 15-1 |
| 10 | Talkin | 20-1 |
| 11 | Crupper | 30-1 |
| 12 | Robusta | 30-1 |
| 13 | Bull By The Horns | 30-1 |
| 14 | Corona De Oro | 30-1 |
Ocelli, who finished third at the Kentucky Derby as a 70-1 long shot, is 6-1 to win the Preakness.
He is the only horse that competed in the Derby to make the trip to Laurel.
The 2026 Preakness Stakes will take place on Saturday, May 16, at Laurel Park in Laurel, Md. Post-time is scheduled for 6:57 p.m. ET.
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.