2026 Preakness Stakes horses, odds, predictions: Picks by expert who’s nailed the last three winners
The 2026 Preakness Stakes will take place on Saturday, May 16, when the central jewel of the Triple Crown takes place. There will be no Triple Crown winner in 2026, as Golden Tempo connections announced on May 6 that the surprise winner of the Kentucky Derby would not run. Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland will host the 2026 Preakness Stakes due to construction at Pimlico Downs. Bet on the Preakness at FanDuel Racing now. Claim your new user bonus here:
Early 2026 Preakness Stakes odds list Crude Velocity as a 4-1 favorite. Other Preakness Stakes contenders include Iron Honor (19-1), Taj Mahal (20-1) and Cherokee Nation (22-1). Before making any picks for the 2026 Preakness Stakes, be sure to check out the 2026 Preakness Stakes predictions and best bets from SportsLine’s elite horse racing expert Jody Demling.
A fixture in the horse racing world who has been writing, speaking and betting on races for years, Demling has reached the top three in the 2025 Kentucky Derby in the correct order. He also called 11 of the last 21 Preakness winners, including 2023, when he hit the winner, exacta, trifecta and superfecta. He won the trifecta of the 2024 Preakness Stakes and named Journalism the winner of the 2025 Preakness. Everyone who followed him horse racing betting sites could be very high.
Now, as the 2026 Preakness Stakes and future horse racing odds approach, Demling shares his 2026 Preakness Stakes betting picks and 2026 Preakness Stakes predictions on SportsLine. Go to SportsLine to see them.
Best 2026 Preakness Stakes Predictions
One of Demling’s surprising picks for the 2026 Preakness Stakes: He’s high on the Taj Mahal, even though he’s nowhere near double figures at 20-1. The 3-year-old colt, trained by Brittany T. Russell, is 3 for 3 in his short career, with his most notable victories coming in the Federico Tesio Stakes and the Miracle Wood Stakes, both races taking place at this track.
“Trainer Brittney Russell will saddle local star; son of Derby winner Nyquist is 3 for 3 with all his races at Laurel Park. Home field advantage?” » said Demling. Demling predicts Taj Mahal is a top-four contender and offers better value than horses with similar odds, such as Cherokee Nation and Silent Tactic. Find out which other horses to support on SportsLine. Bet on the Preakness at DK Horse. Sign up for DraftKings Racing here:
How to Make Picks and Bets on the 2026 Preakness Stakes
Demling also performs particularly well on an epic double-digit longshot that is well-rested and ideally suited for the Preakness. Anyone who supports this sleeper pick could win big. Demling shares which horse it is, along with his entire projected 2026 Preakness Stakes standings, on SportsLine.
Which horse wins the 2026 Preakness Stakes and which stunning longshot is a must-see? Check out the latest 2026 Preakness Stakes odds below, then visit SportsLine to see Demling’s Preakness Stakes picks, all from the expert who has called the last three winners.
2026 Preakness Stakes Odds
