The 2026 Preakness Stakes field is officially set following Monday evening's post position draw, and the excitement is building for this year's "Middle Jewel" of the Triple Crown. While Kentucky Derby champion Golden Tempo will be sitting this one out, the race still features familiar faces from the Run for the Roses, including the surprising third-place finisher Ocelli, along with fellow Derby runners Incredibolt and Robusta.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 16, with post time scheduled for 6:50 p.m. ET. But here's a twist for racing fans: due to ongoing construction at the historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, the Preakness has been moved to Laurel Park, located just 30 miles south of its traditional home. The 11-horse field is led by morning-line favorite Iron Honor at 9-2 odds.
Before placing your bets, you'll want to check out the expert analysis from SportsLine's Jody Demling, a trusted name in horse racing who has been picking winners for years. Demling's track record is impressive—he called 11 of the last 21 Preakness winners, including a perfect hit on the winner, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta in 2023. He also nailed Journalism as the 2025 Preakness winner and correctly predicted the top three finishers in the 2025 Kentucky Derby in exact order. Followers of his picks on horse racing betting sites have seen serious returns.
One of Demling's most intriguing 2026 Preakness Stakes picks is Napoleon Solo, a longer shot at 8-1 odds. This colt had a standout 2025 campaign, breaking his maiden at Saratoga in August before winning the Grade-I Champagne Stakes in October. While his 2026 form has been less consistent—with fifth-place finishes in both the Wood Memorial and Fountain of Youth Stakes—Demling isn't discouraged. He sees Napoleon Solo as a top-5 contender, noting that his Wood Memorial run showed promise despite the result.
Don't miss out on the action! For a limited time, you can claim the latest DK Horse promo code and win a share of $151,000 just by wagering $5 on the winning horse. For Demling's full 2026 Preakness Stakes betting picks and predictions, head over to SportsLine to see which horses he's backing to cross the finish line first at Laurel Park.