For more than a century, the road to the Triple Crown has wound through the historic gates of Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. But as the racing world prepares for the 151st running of the second leg, the scenery is changing. In a historic first, the event moves to Laurel Park while the beloved Pimlico undergoes a massive transformation.
The shift in venue adds a layer of unpredictability to an already wide-open contest. With a field largely devoid of the usual Kentucky Derby heavyweights, the 2026 Preakness Stakes presents a rare opportunity for new stars to emerge on the national stage. For fans planning their Saturday, the 2026 Preakness Stakes: Start time, where to watch and TV channel for annual race details are essential for catching every moment of the action.
The race is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, with a post time of 6:50 p.m. ET. Viewers can catch the live broadcast on NBC, while those preferring a digital experience can stream the event via Peacock, although a subscription is required for the stream.
A Historic Departure from Pimlico
The move to Laurel Park is not a matter of choice, but of progress. The Maryland Jockey Club is currently overseeing a $400 million redevelopment of Pimlico Race Course, a project designed to modernize the facility while preserving its deep ties to Baltimore’s sporting history. For 118 years, the Preakness remained anchored at Pimlico. this year’s relocation marks the first time in over a century that the “Old Hilltop” will remain silent during the second Saturday in May.
While the physical surroundings will be different for the horses and the crowd, the challenge remains the same. The Preakness Stakes is contested over 1 3/16 miles, maintaining its status as the shortest leg of the American Triple Crown. The shorter distance often rewards tactical speed and agility, making the transition to a new track surface at Laurel Park a critical variable for trainers and jockeys alike.
Analyzing the Field: A Wide-Open Race
The narrative of this year’s race is defined as much by who is missing as by who is running. In a stunning departure from recent trends, only one horse from the 18-horse Kentucky Derby field has returned for the Preakness. This includes the absence of Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo, who captivated the crowd at Churchill Downs with a legendary late surge from the back of the pack to secure the win.
The sole survivor from the Derby field is Incredibolt, who finished sixth in the first leg. Despite not standing atop the podium in Kentucky, Incredibolt enters Saturday as one of the primary favorites. The 13-day window between the Derby and the Preakness is notoriously grueling, and the decision by most stables to skip this leg has left the field open for a new set of contenders.
Weather forecasts suggest a gorgeous Saturday at Laurel Park, with clear skies and warm temperatures expected. These conditions mirror the rapid, clean track seen at the Kentucky Derby, which likely contributed to the wide-open nature of that race and Golden Tempo’s dramatic victory. With similar conditions expected this weekend, experts anticipate another high-speed finish.
Betting Odds and Post Positions
With so few returning Derby contenders, the betting markets are reflecting a highly competitive environment. Iron Honor currently leads the pack as the favorite, while several other horses sit in a tight cluster of probability.
| Post Position | Horse | Odds (FanDuel) |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Iron Honor | 9/2 |
| 1 | Taj Mahal | 5-1 |
| 6 | Chip Honcho | 5-1 |
| 12 | Incredibolt | 5-1 |
| 2 | Ocelli | 6-1 |
| 10 | Napoleon Solo | 8-1 |
The variety in odds—ranging from the 9/2 favorite to longshots like Crupper and Robusta at 30-1—suggests that oddsmakers are uncertain about how the new venue will affect the various running styles of the 14-horse field.
What This Means for the Triple Crown
The absence of the Kentucky Derby winner, Golden Tempo, effectively ends the quest for a Triple Crown in 2026. While this removes the singular drama of a potential sweep, it replaces it with a different kind of excitement: the birth of a new champion. The Preakness often serves as a launching pad for horses that may have been overlooked in the Derby’s massive field or those that needed a few more weeks of maturity.
For the spectators at Laurel Park, the event is more than just a race; it is a testament to the resilience of Maryland racing. Moving the most prestigious event in the state to a secondary track is a logistical feat, but it ensures that the tradition of the 151st Preakness continues while the infrastructure for the next century is built.
The racing world now looks toward the official morning workouts at Laurel Park to see if Incredibolt can maintain his form or if a longshot like Taj Mahal will find an edge in the unfamiliar surroundings. Once the dust settles on Saturday, the focus will immediately shift to the final leg of the series, the Belmont Stakes, where the winner of the Preakness will seek to cement their legacy.
We want to hear from the racing community. Who is your pick for the 151st Preakness? Share your thoughts in the comments below or join the conversation on social media.
