The countdown to the 2026 Preakness Stakes is officially on, and this year's race is shaping up to be one for the ages. With the post draw set and the field locked in, all eyes are on Laurel Park this Saturday, May 16—and one horse is generating serious buzz despite not running since April.
Iron Honor leads the morning line at 9-2, a horse with a story that bettors love. After a troubled seventh-place finish in the Wood Memorial, trainer Chad Brown made the bold call to skip the Kentucky Derby entirely, pointing straight at the Preakness as his horse's defining moment. It's a high-stakes gamble: Iron Honor hasn't raced in over a month, but if he's ready, he could deliver a massive payday.
He's not alone at the top. Taj Mahal, Chip Honcho, and Incredibolt all sit at 5-1, with Ocelli at 6-1 and Napoleon Solo at 8-1 rounding out the single-digit contenders. This isn't a one-horse race—it's a wide-open field where value could be hiding in plain sight.
That's where expert insight comes in. Jody Demling, a fixture in horse racing who has called 11 of the last 21 Preakness winners, is sharing his 2026 picks. His track record speaks volumes: he hit the top three finishers in the 2025 Kentucky Derby in exact order, nailed the winner, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta in 2023, and correctly picked Journalism as the 2025 Preakness winner. Anyone following his picks has been in the winner's circle more often than not.
One of Demling's most intriguing plays this year? Napoleon Solo at 8-1. This Liam's Map colt was unbeaten in two starts as a juvenile, including a dominant six-length victory in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes. After minor ailments slowed his Derby prep, he's returned to top form with two sharp six-furlong breezes in recent weeks. As a natural front-runner in a field where pace will be hotly contested, he has the profile to wire the field from post 10.
Demling notes that Napoleon Solo "is not without a shot to hit the board," and the Equibase Speed Figures back that up. At 8-1, he represents the kind of value that can turn a Preakness Saturday into a memorable one.
Whether you're backing the favorite or hunting for a longshot, the 2026 Preakness Stakes is packed with storylines and betting opportunities. Don't miss the post time—and don't bet without a game plan.