The 2026 Preakness Stakes will take place at Laurel Park in Maryland on Saturday, May 16. It will be the first time since 1908 that the race is held away from Pimlico Race Course, which is undergoing a $400 million redevelopment project [1, 2].
The 1 3/16-mile race serves as the second leg of the Triple Crown and will feature a field of 14 horses, a robust number for the event [1, 2]. The Preakness purse remains at $2 million for 2026 [2].
Golden Tempo, winner of the Kentucky Derby, will not run in the Preakness. Alongside Derby runner-up Renegade, Golden Tempo is skipping the race to prepare for the Belmont Stakes later this summer [1, 2].
Several horses are considered early favorites, including Iron Honor at 9/2 odds, Taj Mahal, Chip Honcho, and Incredibolt all listed at 5-1, and Ocelli at 6-1 [1].
On race day, 14 races are scheduled at Laurel Park, including nine stakes races with four contested on grass, highlighting a full card of events [2]. The race is set to start around 6:50 p.m. ET according to CBS Sports, though Forbes reports a post time of 7:01 p.m. ET [1, 2].
Television coverage will be on NBC with live streaming available on Peacock and NBCSN. Spanish-language broadcast will begin on Telemundo at 6:30 p.m. ET [1, 2].
A Forbes report called the Preakness Stakes "the biggest day in Maryland racing for 2026," noting the significance of the event’s relocation [2].
