The 2026 Preakness Stakes is set to electrify Maryland this Saturday, as 14 talented thoroughbreds battle for glory at Laurel Park. With the historic Pimlico Race Course undergoing renovations, the second leg of the Triple Crown moves to a new home, but the stakes remain sky-high.
This year's field is almost entirely fresh, with only Incredibolt returning from the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago. That means Golden Tempo, the Derby champion, won't be chasing Triple Crown history, leaving the door wide open for a new star to seize the spotlight.
At the heart of the action is the coveted Woodlawn Vase and a generous $2 million purse—unchanged since 2024. The winner will gallop away with a cool $1.2 million, while the rest of the top five share the remaining prize money. Here's how the payouts break down for the top finishers:
1st: $1,200,000
2nd: $400,000
3rd: $220,000
4th: $120,000
5th: $60,000
Traditionally, 80% of these earnings go to the horse's owner, with 10% each to the trainer and jockey. For the winner's connections, that's a life-changing payday.
While history-making trainer Cherie DeVaux won't have a horse in the Preakness, her Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Jose Ortiz will be back in the saddle. Riding Chip Honcho—one of the race's favorites—Ortiz hopes to add another six-figure check to the $310,000 he earned at Churchill Downs.
The field is stacked with talent and intrigue. Chip Honcho (5-1) leads the contenders alongside Taj Mahal (5-1) and Incredibolt (5-1), while Iron Honor (9/2) is the morning-line favorite. Here's a full look at the 14-horse lineup:
1. Taj Mahal (5-1): Sheldon Russell; Brittany Russell
2. Ocelli (6-1): Tyler Gaffalione; Whit Beckman
3. Crupper (30-1): Junior Alvarado; Donnie Von Hemel
4. Robusta (30-1): Rafael Bejarano; Doug O'Neill
5. Talkin (20-1): Irad Ortiz, Jr.; Danny Gargan
6. Chip Honcho (5-1): Jose Ortiz; Steven Asmussen
7. The Hell We Did (15-1): Luis Saez; Todd Fincher
8. Bull by the Horns (30-1): Micah Husbands; Saffie Joseph, Jr.
9. Iron Honor (9/2): Flavien Prat; Chad Brown
10. Napoleon Solo (8-1): Joel Rosario; Chad Summers
11. Corono de Oro (30-1): John Velazquez; Dallas Stewart
12. Incredibolt (5-1): Jaime Torre; Riley Mott
13. Great White (15-1): Alex Achard; John Ennis
14. Pretty Boy Miah (15-1): Ricardo Santana, Jr.; Jeremiah Englehart
With no Triple Crown on the line, the Preakness becomes a showcase of fresh talent and fierce competition. Whether you're backing a favorite or rooting for a longshot, this race promises heart-pounding drama and a chance to see the next champion emerge. Who will cross the wire first and claim the Woodlawn Vase?