The countdown to the second jewel of the 2026 Triple Crown is on, and the excitement is building as the Preakness Stakes heads to a new venue this year. On Saturday, May 16, the legendary Woodlawn Vase will be awarded at Laurel Park in Maryland, a temporary home while Pimlico Race Course undergoes its long-awaited renovations. Post time is set for 6:50 p.m. ET, with a field of 14 horses ready to battle it out on the dirt.
At the top of the morning-line odds sits Iron Honor at 9-2, the favorite trained by Chad Brown. But he's far from a lock. A strong supporting cast includes Chip Honcho, Taj Mahal, and Incredibolt, all listed at 5-1. With so much talent in the gate, this year's Preakness promises to be a wide-open affair—and that's where expert insight becomes invaluable.
Enter Jody Demling, a fixture in the horse racing world whose track record speaks for itself. Demling has called 11 of the last 21 Preakness winners, including a perfect run in 2023 when he nailed the winner, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta. He also hit the trifecta in the 2024 Preakness and correctly picked Journalism as the 2025 winner. Most recently, he correctly identified the top three finishers in the 2025 Kentucky Derby in exact order. If you've been following his picks on horse racing betting sites, you know the value he brings.
One of Demling's most intriguing selections for the 2026 Preakness is Napoleon Solo, a longer shot at 8-1. Despite finishing fifth in his last two starts, Napoleon Solo impressed early in his career with wins in his first two races, including the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct. Demling has had his eye on this horse from the start and believes he could surprise. "I like that he arrived a bit early to get a feel for the track," Demling notes. "He's not impossible if he gets the trip."
With the post draw now official and Golden Tempo out of the field, the stage is set for a thrilling Saturday. Whether you're a seasoned bettor or just looking for a little extra excitement, Demling's full 2026 Preakness Stakes picks—including his top selections, exacta and trifecta strategies—are available now. Don't miss your chance to get in on the action and make this year's Preakness one to remember.