The 2026 Preakness Stakes is set to deliver plenty of drama, and one horse in particular is already making headlines before the gates even open. Great White, a gray-coated gelding, will make his Triple Crown debut on Saturday, May 16, at Laurel Park following a bizarre scratch at the Kentucky Derby. Just moments before entering the starting gate at Churchill Downs, the horse became startled, reared up, and fell backward, unseating his jockey. Fortunately, neither horse nor rider was injured, but track veterinarians decided not to let Great White run. Now, he has a chance to rewrite that story with a strong performance in the second leg of the Triple Crown.
Priced at 15-1 odds, Great White sits in the middle of a competitive 12-horse field. Six horses have shorter odds, including the favorites Iron Honor (9-2), Incredibolt (5-1), and Ocelli (6-1). On the other end, five horses are considered bigger longshots, such as Talkin (20-1) and Bull By The Horns (30-1). With such a balanced field, making smart bets on win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta wagers requires more than just luck—it takes expert insight.
History is also on the line this year. After Cherie DeVaux won the Kentucky Derby and Jena Antonucci saddled the 2023 Belmont Stakes winner, two of the three Triple Crown races have now been won by female trainers. The Preakness Stakes is the only one still missing that milestone, but not for lack of trying. Women have trained 18 Preakness starters since Judy Johnson in 1968, with Shelly Riley's third-place finish in 1992 being the best result so far. Brittany Russell hopes to top that mark this year as she saddles Taj Mahal in the 2026 Preakness.
Given all the storylines and betting possibilities, having a reliable strategy is key. SportsLine expert Jody Demling, a seasoned horse racing analyst who correctly predicted the top three finishers in the 2025 Kentucky Derby in exact order, has also called 11 of the last 21 Preakness winners—including 2023, when he nailed the winner, exacta, and trifecta. His picks for this year's race can help you build a winning ticket, whether you're aiming for a simple win bet or a more complex superfecta.