As the 2026 Preakness Stakes draws near, all eyes are on Crupper—a horse who has taken an unlikely path to the second leg of the Triple Crown. After spending the last six months grinding at Oaklawn Park, this son of Candy Ride is set to step into the starting gate on Saturday, May 16, for the 151st running of the Preakness. But can he rise to the occasion against a field of elite contenders?

Just four weeks ago, Crupper’s résumé was far from flashy. With a 1-for-5 record and a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of just 68, a shot at the Preakness seemed like a long shot. Then came the Bathhouse Row Stakes at Oaklawn, where he seized control early, dictating slow fractions on the front end (47.65 and 1:13.10) and cruising wire-to-wire. That victory earned him an automatic berth in the Preakness—a fairy-tale moment that has horse racing fans buzzing.

Still, questions linger. That Bathhouse Row performance earned only an 80 Beyer Speed Figure, which ranks among the lowest in this Preakness field. In fact, only one other horse—Bull by the Horns (70)—has a slower career-best Beyer. While Crupper is clearly improving at the right time, he now faces a major class test. The Preakness features multiple horses who love to be on or near the lead, meaning Crupper won’t have the luxury of setting slow fractions alone this time.

On the bright side, Crupper seemed to relish the stretchout in distance during the Bathhouse Row, suggesting he may have the stamina to go farther. His trajectory is trending upward, and for bettors looking for a longshot story, he fits the bill. Currently listed at 30-1 on the morning line at DK Horse and 1/ST BET, he’s one of four big-priced entries expected to leave the gate with the highest odds in the race.

Whether Crupper can defy expectations and make a name for himself on the Triple Crown stage remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: this is a horse with heart, and in the unpredictable world of horse racing, that can take you a long way.