When is the Preakness Stakes? Here's a full preview for the Triple Crown race
It’s time to get ready for the Preakness Stakes.
There won’t be a Triple Crown winner this year with Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo sitting out, but that doesn’t mean the race won’t be exciting.
The 151st edition of the historic race will still feature many of the fastest horses in the world, with thousands of fans flocking to Maryland this weekend for festivities.
So, what time does the race actually start? What horses and jockeys are participating this year? And who are the favorites to win? Here’s everything you need to know for the 2026 Preakness:
When is the Preakness 2026?
The 2026 Preakness Stakes is set for Saturday, May 16.
What is the race time for the Preakness 2026?
There will be undercard races throughout the afternoon on Saturday, but the main event isn’t until later on.
The post time is scheduled for 6:50 p.m. ET this year. That can be pushed back depending on how the horses are behaving in getting to their starting gate.
Where is the Preakness held?
Traditionally, the Preakness Stakes is held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Pimlico officially opened in 1870, first hosting the Preakness in 1873.
That will change for this year, though, with Pimlico undergoing renovations. The 2026 race will be held at nearby Laurel Park, location in Laurel, Maryland. Pimlico is expected to reopen for 2027 with Laurel being converted into a training facility.
How to watch the Preakness 2026, streaming options
The Preakness will air live on NBC beginning at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, with the main event set for 6:50 p.m. ET.
You can also stream everything live on Peacock, beginning at 1 p.m. ET.
List of the Preakness horses in 2026
The field for the 2026 Preakness was confirmed with Monday’s drawing — and 14 horses are set to race. Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo will not compete, instead focusing ahead on the June 6 Belmont Stakes. Incredibolt, Ocelli and Robusta are the only three horses in the field who also raced at the Kentucky Derby.
Here are the horses and their program numbers:
- Taj Mahal
- Ocelli
- Crupper
- Robusta
- Talkin
- Chip Honcho
- The Hell We Did
- Bull By The Horns
- Iron Honor
- Napoleon Solo
- Corona de Oro
- Incredibolt
- Great White
- Pretty Boy Miah
2026 Preakness odds and post positions
Here’s a look at the post positions, horse names, jockeys, trainers and current odds (as of Tuesday):
| Post position | Horse name | Jockey | Trainer | Odds to win |
| 1. | Taj Mahal | Sheldon Russell | Brittany Russell | 5-1 |
| 2. | Ocelli | Tyler Gaffalione | Whit Beckman | 6-1 |
| 3. | Crupper | Junior Alvarado | Donnie Von Hemel | 30-1 |
| 4. | Robusta | Rafael Bejarano | Doug O’Neill | 30-1 |
| 5. | Talkin | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Danny Gargan | 20-1 |
| 6. | Chip Honcho | Jose Ortiz | Steven Asmussen | 5-1 |
| 7. | The Hell We Did | Luis Saez | Todd Fletcher | 15-1 |
| 8. | Bull By The Horns | Micah Husbands | Saffie Joseph Jr. | 30-1 |
| 9. | Iron Honor | Flavien Prat | Chad Brown | 9-2 |
| 10. | Napoleon Solo | Joel Rosario | Chad Summers | 8-1 |
| 11. | Corona de Oro | John Velazquez | Dallas Stewart | 30-1 |
| 12. | Incredibolt | Jamie Torres | Riley Mott | 5-1 |
| 13. | Great White | Alex Achard | John Ennis | 15-1 |
| 14. | Pretty Boy Miah | Ricardo Santana Jr. | Jeremiah Englehart | 15-1 |
Preakness prize money 2026
The prize purse is $2 million — with $1.2 million going to the winner.
The Preakness winner is also awarded a replica of the iconic Woodlawn Vase.
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