The 2026 Preakness Stakes is set to deliver another memorable chapter in horse racing history this Saturday, May 16, at 7:01 p.m. ET, shifting from its traditional Pimlico home to Laurel Park. While the absence of Kentucky Derby champion Golden Tempo means there won't be a Triple Crown on the line this year, the "Run for the Black-Eyed Susans" still carries immense prestige and promises plenty of drama.
Three contenders from the Derby field—Great White, Incredibolt, and Ocelli—are back for another shot at glory, each looking to prove their Churchill Downs performance was no fluke. But the morning line favorite is Iron Honor at 9-2, with Chip Honcho, Incredibolt, and Taj Mahal close behind at 5-1. Great White, who scratched just moments before the Kentucky Derby, enters at 15-1 and could be a live longshot if he's fully recovered.
Before placing your bets, consider the insights of SportsLine's Michelle Yu, whose track record is hard to ignore. She kicked off 2025 by confidently backing Citizen Bull in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes, then nailed wins by Forever Young (Saudi Cup), Journalism (San Felipe), Sandman (Arkansas Derby), and Mindframe (Churchill Downs Stakes). She also hit the exacta in the 2025 Kentucky Derby and followed up with a Fierceness-Journalism exacta in the Pacific Classic. Most recently, in March 2026, she correctly predicted the Renegade-Silent Tactic-Taptastic trifecta in the Arkansas Derby.
Yu's 2026 Preakness picks include some surprising calls. She's especially high on Taj Mahal, calling the brown colt a "horse for the course" thanks to three wins at Laurel Park, all by impressive margins. With trainer Cherie DeVaux making history as the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner (Golden Tempo), Yu believes Russell could follow suit with Taj Mahal in the Preakness.
Perhaps her boldest move: Yu is not backing Iron Honor as her top win contender, despite Chad Brown's colt owning two commanding victories. She sees value elsewhere and warns that the 9-2 favorite may not have the same firepower on this track.
As post positions are set and the odds board takes shape, Yu's full 2026 Preakness Stakes betting picks and predictions are available at SportsLine. Whether you're chasing a trifecta or just looking for a solid win bet, her analysis offers a sharp edge for this year's race.