dailyloe.com – The 2026 Preakness Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, at Laurel Park, Maryland. This marks the 151st running of the race, amid ongoing renovations at Pimlico Race Course. The race is set to start at approximately 6:50 p.m. ET, with an expected attendance of around 5,000 fans.
Iron Honor is currently the 9-2 betting favorite for the event. Other strong contenders include Taj Mahal and Chip Honcho, both at 5-1, with Incredibolt also in the mix. Ocelli is slightly trailing this group at 6-1.
Notably, Golden Tempo, the winner of the 2026 Kentucky Derby, will not participate in this year’s Preakness Stakes. For those looking to place bets, Michelle Yu from SportsLine shares her expert predictions and insights based on prior performances.
Yu has gained a reputation for her successful predictions. She correctly selected Citizen Bull to win the Robert B. Lewis Stakes in 2025 and has accurately predicted several other significant race outcomes. Her track record includes hitting the exacta in the 2025 Kentucky Derby and successfully identifying trifectas in other key races.
Among her predictions for the 2026 Preakness Stakes, Yu has highlighted Taj Mahal as a horse to watch. He holds an impressive 3 for 3 record at Laurel Park. Despite Iron Honor being the favorite, Yu expressed skepticism about his chances, citing concerns from his previous performance. “The Gotham Stakes winner really faltered when stretching out to nine furlongs in his last start,” Yu stated. She indicated that the horse may have been hindered by the trip in that effort.
Taj Mahal’s recent performance includes an 8¼-length victory in the Federico Tesio, which adds to his appeal as a strong contender. As the race approaches, bettors are encouraged to check SportsLine for Yu’s latest insights and predictions ahead of the Preakness Stakes.
