The 2026 Preakness Stakes is shaping up to be a thrilling showdown, even without a Triple Crown on the line. While Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo will sit this one out, the "Run for the Black-Eyed Susans" still promises plenty of drama when the gates open at 6:50 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 16, at Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland.
In the latest odds, Iron Honor leads the pack as the 9-2 favorite, but he's got serious company. Chip Honcho, Incredibolt, and Taj Mahal are all lurking at 6-1, making this one of the most competitive fields in recent memory. With no clear superstar, it's a bettor's paradise—and that's where expert analysis comes in.
SportsLine's Michelle Yu has been on fire. She kicked off 2025 by nailing Citizen Bull in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes, then followed up with wins on Forever Young (Saudi Cup), Journalism (San Felipe), Sandman (Arkansas Derby), and Mindframe (Churchill Downs Stakes). She even hit the exacta in the 2025 Kentucky Derby, and just last month, she correctly predicted the Renegade-Silent Tactic-Taptastic trifecta in the Arkansas Derby. Simply put, when Yu talks, the horse racing world listens.
So, what's her surprising pick for the 2026 Preakness? She's high on Taj Mahal (5-1), a horse that's turning heads for a very specific reason. Trained by Brittany Russell, Taj Mahal is a perfect 3-for-3 at Laurel Park—the temporary home for this year's Preakness while Pimlico undergoes renovations. And he's not just winning; he's dominating, crossing the wire with plenty left in the tank.
"This undefeated Brittany Russell trainee is certainly a horse for the course," Yu says. "He isn't inching out these wins; he's winning going away. A woman won the Derby; maybe one wins the Preakness too?"
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For the full breakdown, including Yu's complete betting card and longshot picks, check out her 2026 Preakness Stakes predictions at SportsLine. The posts are set, the odds are live, and the countdown to post time is on. Who are you backing?