The countdown to the 2026 Preakness Stakes is officially on, and this year's field is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory. With the post draw now complete and morning-line odds set, racing fans are buzzing about a pair of half-siblings—Iron Honor and Taj Mahal—who headline a competitive lineup at Laurel Park on Saturday, May 16.
Both colts are sons of Nyquist, the 2016 Kentucky Derby winner who also ran third in that year's Preakness. Iron Honor, a Kentucky-bred, enters as the 9-2 morning-line favorite after a solid win in the Gotham Stakes, though he stumbled to a seventh-place finish in the Wood Memorial in his last start. Taj Mahal, on the other hand, is undefeated in three career starts but has yet to face graded-stakes competition—making him one of the most intriguing wild cards in the field.
The betting board is packed with value beyond the top two. Incredibolt and Chip Honcho sit at 5-1, while Ocelli follows closely at 6-1. But with Golden Tempo notably absent after Monday's post draw, the race feels wide open—and that's where expert analysis comes into play.
Enter Jody Demling, a fixture in the horse racing world who has been picking winners for years. Demling has called 11 of the last 21 Preakness winners, including a dominant 2023 performance where he hit the winner, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta. He also nailed Journalism as the 2025 Preakness winner and correctly picked the top three finishers in the 2025 Kentucky Derby in order. If you've followed his picks on horse racing betting sites, you know the kind of edge he provides.
Among Demling's boldest 2026 predictions is a strong lean toward Napoleon Solo, an 8-1 longshot who has caught his eye. After breaking his maiden at Saratoga last August and winning the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes in October, Napoleon Solo has struggled in 2026 with fifth-place finishes in both the Wood Memorial and Fountain of Youth Stakes. Still, Demling isn't discouraged—he sees untapped potential and ranks Napoleon Solo as a top-five contender heading into the race.
Whether you're a seasoned bettor or a casual fan looking for a little extra excitement, the 2026 Preakness Stakes promises drama, speed, and plenty of storylines. From the Nyquist connection to the longshot appeal of Napoleon Solo, this year's race has all the makings of a classic.