The 151st Preakness Stakes is almost here, and the excitement is building for one of horse racing's most anticipated events. First run in 1873, this Saturday's race at Laurel Park marks the youngest—and shortest—of the Triple Crown classics. Fourteen horses will charge over 1 3/16 miles of dirt, and while Gotham Stakes winner Iron Honor enters as the slight 9-2 favorite, history shows just one favorite has won in the last seven runnings. That means savvy bettors are looking closely at the rest of the field.

Right behind Iron Honor, three horses sit at 5-1 odds: Taj Mahal, Incredibolt, and Chip Honcho. But don't overlook the longshots. Talkin (20-1), Corona De Oro (30-1), and Crupper (30-1) could offer serious value for those willing to take a chance. With so many contenders, expert insight can make all the difference when crafting your win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, or superfecta bets.

The 2026 field is mostly colts, but two geldings—Great White (post 13) and Pretty Boy Miah (post 14)—are hoping to join the ranks of Funny Cide (2003) and Shirley (1876) as the eighth gelding to win the Preakness. They'll break side by side, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the starting gate.

For those looking to place smart bets, SportsLine expert Jody Demling brings a proven track record. He correctly picked the top three finishers in the 2025 Kentucky Derby in order, and has called 11 of the last 21 Preakness winners. In 2023, he nailed the winner, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta. He followed that up by hitting the trifecta in the 2024 Preakness and correctly picking Journalism as the 2025 winner. With that kind of consistency, his picks are worth considering for your Preakness Stakes 2026 wagers.