The 2026 Preakness Stakes is shaping up to be a family affair, and we're not just talking about the horses. After the Kentucky Derby featured father-son trainers in the Motts and brother jockeys in the Ortizes, this year's second jewel of the Triple Crown brings a unique husband-wife team into the spotlight. Trainer Brittany Russell will saddle Taj Mahal, while her husband, Sheldon Russell, takes the reins. It's Brittany's Preakness debut, and Sheldon—making his fourth appearance—is still chasing that first victory.

Taj Mahal sits at 5-1 in the latest odds, but here's where family ties get even thicker: his half-brother, Iron Honor, is the 9-2 favorite. Jose Ortiz, fresh off his Derby win aboard Golden Tempo, will ride Chip Honcho (also 5-1) for trainer Steve Asmussen. With three horses tied at 5-1—Taj Mahal, Chip Honcho, and Incredibolt—this race is wide open and full of storylines.

Before you place any bets, you'll want the insights from SportsLine's elite horse racing expert Jody Demling. This guy is a legend in the sport, having called 11 of the last 21 Preakness winners. His resume includes nailing the top three finishers in the 2025 Kentucky Derby in exact order, hitting the winner, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta in the 2023 Preakness, and correctly picking Journalism as the 2025 Preakness winner. If you've followed his picks on horse racing betting sites, you've likely been cashing tickets.

Now that the 2026 Preakness Stakes field is set, Demling has released his betting picks and predictions. One of his most surprising calls? He has Taj Mahal outside the top five on his projected leaderboard, despite the colt being tied for the second-lowest odds. Taj Mahal is a perfect 3-for-3 in his career, all wins coming at Laurel Park—a comfort factor that explains his favoritism. However, Demling questions the level of competition he's faced, noting he hasn't gone up against the Derby-caliber horses that many of his rivals have. For Demling's full breakdown and best bets, head over to SportsLine.