See below the expected 2026 Preakness Stakes runners and profiles ahead of the 151st running of the Black-Eyed Susans, which this year will be staged at Laurel Park racetrack with Pimlico being refurbished.
Preakness Stakes Race Details
📅 Date: Saturday, 16 May 2026
⌚ Time: 7:01pm ET
🏇 Racecourse: Laurel Park
🔄 Trip: 1m 1 1/2f
💷 Preakness Stakes Purse: $2m
📺 TV: Sky Sports Racing / NBC / Peacock
Who will be landing the lucrative Preakness Stakes purse in 2026?
2026 Preakness Stakes Runners, Jockeys, Trainers, Profile and Recent Form
Crude Velocity
- Trainer: Bob Baffert
- Jockey: Florent Geroux
- Sire: Beau Liam
- Record: 1-1-1 in three starts
- Last race: First in the Pat Day Mile on 2 May at Churchill Downs
This unbeaten Bob Baffert colt will head to the Preakness Stakes with three past wins to his name – including the Pat Day Mile.
He landed that Churchill Downs race at the Kentucky Derby fixture earlier this month (watch below) and has since been one of the fancies to take the step up and land the second leg of the US Triple Crown.
Regular rider Florent Geroux is expected to remain in the saddle as he looks for his first Preakness Stakes win.
While Crude Velocity is also housed at the powerful Bob Baffert barn – who are looking for a record-extending nineth Preakness.
With his first success in the race coming in 1997 with Silver Charm and his most recent National Treasure in 2023.
Chip Honcho
- Trainer: Steve Asmussen
- Jockey: Jose Ortiz
- Sire: Connect
- Record: 2-2-0 in six starts
- Last race: Fifth in Grade 2 Louisiana Derby on March 21 at Fair Grounds.
Chip Honcho put the finishing touches on his major prep work Sunday morning at Churchill Downs, breezing a half-mile in 50.2 seconds under Luiyi Ortiz.
Steve Asmussen’s son of Connect is scheduled to van up to Laurel on Monday morning.
He’ll have a familiar face in the irons, too-Kentucky Derby winner José Ortiz, who was aboard for the colt’s maiden win, gets the mount.
“I think we’re in a very good place with him right now,” Asmussen said.
The Hall of Fame trainer knows exactly what it takes to win this race, having secured Preakness titles with legends like Curlin and Rachel Alexandra.
“We want to get him up there in the same shape he’s leaving here in. Honestly, I’m just hoping for a good draw; I’m anxious because I think we have a real shot, but I’d love to avoid being stuck on the outside.”
Chip Honcho arrives looking to bounce back from a fifth-place finish in the Louisiana Derby, though his powerhouse five-furlong work on Derby morning (1:00 flat) suggests he’s still got plenty in the tank.
Iron Honor
- Trainer: Chad Brown
- Jockey: Flavien Prat
- Sire: Nyquist
- Record: 2-0-0 in three starts
- Last race: Seventh in Grade 2 Wood Memorial on April 4 at Aqueduct
Over at Belmont Park, Iron Honor turned heads Saturday with a sharp half-mile in 48 seconds flat-the 10th fastest of nearly 200 horses on the day.
Trainer Chad Brown is looking for his third Preakness win after victories in 2017 (Cloud Computing) and 2022 (Early Voting) and is making some strategic changes after the colt’s disappointing seventh as the favorite in the Wood Memorial.
He’s taking the blinkers off and handing the reins to Flavien Prat for the first time.
“We’re trying to get him to relax and not be so aggressive early on,” Brown explained. “Ideally, we’ll get a middle-to-inside draw so he can save some ground and just track the pace. I’m hoping there’s enough speed up front for him to sit back a bit.”
This will be only the fourth career start for the Nyquist colt, who previously impressed with a win in the Gotham Stakes.
Silent Tactic
- Trainer: Mark Casse
- Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr
- Sire: Tacitus
- Record: 2-4-0 in six starts
- Last race: Second in Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on March 28 at Oaklawn Park
The winner of two of his six starts to date, one of which was the G3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park back in February.
Has since backed that up with a second in the Rebel Stakes and the Arkansas Derby – again at Oaklawn – and on that running will be a popular pick in the Preakness.
Will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr, who is hunting his first Preakness – but is trained by Mark Casse, who has history in the run for the Black-Eyed Susans – winning the pot in 2019 with War Of Will.
Taj Mahal
- Trainer: Brittany Russell
- Jockey: Sheldon Russell
- Sire: Nyquist
- Record: 3-0-0 in three starts
- Last race: Won Federico Tesio on April 18 at Laurel Park
Taj Mahal came out of his “bullet” work on Saturday feeling so good that trainer Brittany Russell scrapped his scheduled walk day.
Instead, the undefeated colt headed straight back to the Laurel main track Sunday morning.
“He’s great. I actually took him out and he was a little wild,” Russell said with a laugh. “He even tried to go the wrong way once! He’s just really happy and fresh coming out of that work. He’s a good-feeling boy.”
Based at Laurel year-round, Taj Mahal is a perfect three-for-three at the track.
He earned his spot here with a dominant 8 ¼-length romp in the Federico Tesio.
Taj Mahal will be ridden by Sheldon Russell-Brittany’s husband-as she looks to become the first female trainer to win the Preakness.
Ocelli
- Trainer: Whit Beckman
- Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
- Sire: Connect
- Record: 0-1-4 in seven starts
- Last race: Third in Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs
Ocelli had a routine gallop at Churchill on Sunday before heading to Laurel.
He’s aiming to do something that hasn’t been done in 138 years: win the Preakness as a maiden.
The Whit Beckman trainee nearly pulled off a miracle in the Kentucky Derby, leading at the sixteenth pole before finishing a close third behind Golden Tempo and Renegade.
“It only takes one,” said jockey Tyler Gaffalione. “He’s competed against the top horses in the country and shown he belongs. I think we have a massive chance.”
12 months ago, Journalism was placed in the Kentucky Derby (2nd) before landing the Preakness.
Robusta
- Trainer: Doug O’Neill
- Jockey: Rafael Bejarano
- Sire: Accelerate
- Record: 1-1-0 in six starts
- Last race: 14th in Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs
Calumet Farm’s Robusta is slated to arrive at Laurel on Tuesday night from Keeneland.
He’s coming off a tough 14th-place finish in the Derby after starting from the dreaded Post 18, but trainer Doug O’Neill isn’t discouraged.
“That post was a real challenge,” O’Neill said. “But he’s in super shape. He’s eating great, training with high energy, and he’s a big, strong horse. Coming back in two weeks to a shorter distance and a smaller field? I think he’s up to it.”
Rafael Bejarano takes the mount this time around.
The Hell We Did
- Trainer: Todd Fincher
- Jockey: TBA
- Sire: Authentic
- Record: 2-2-0 in four starts
- Last race: Second in Grade 3 Lexington on April 11 at Keeneland
It’s been a bit of a chaotic week for The Hell We Did.
His final work at Laurel on Saturday was interrupted twice by a riderless horse on the track.
Despite the drama, he was credited with five furlongs in 1:01.4.
“He wasn’t in the best spot with the interruptions, but he finished the work and we’re happy,” said assistant Oscar Rojero. “Watching the replay, he looked like he was moving really well down the stretch.”
The Todd Fincher trainee is a half-brother to the standout Senor Buscador and recently finished second in the Lexington Stakes.
Corona de Oro
- Trainer: Dallas Stewart
- Jockey: John Velazquez
- Sire: Bolt d’Oro
- Record: 1-1-2 in five starts
- Last race: Third in Grade 3 Lexington on April 11 at Keeneland
Last seen running a fair third in the Lexington Stakes at Keenland last month.
“He’s full of life, ready to go,” says trainer Dallas Stewart of Corona de Oro.
After a fast five-furlong work on Friday, the Bolt d’Oro colt had a light jog Sunday and heads to Laurel early Tuesday.
Hall of Famer John Velazquez is on board; at 54, “Johnny V” would become the oldest jockey to win the race if they hit the wire first.
But knows how to get the job done in the Preakness – having won the race in 2023 on National Treasure.
Great White
- Trainer: John Ennis
- Jockey: Alex Achard
- Sire: Volatile
- Record: 2-0-0 in four starts
- Last race: Fifth in Grade 1 Blue Grass on April 4 at Keeneland
Trainer John Ennis is playing it by ear with Great White.
“He came into the barn squealing and bucking—fresh as can be,” Ennis noted.
After a light jog in Lexington, Ennis will consult with co-owner Three Chimneys Farm tonight to make the final call on entering.
Having last raced in the Blue Grass at Keeneland last month (5th).
Napoleon Solo
- Trainer: Chad Summers
- Jockey: Paco Lopez
- Sire: Liam’s Map
- Record: 2-0-0 in four starts
- Last race: Fifth in Grade 2 Wood Memorial on April 4 at Aqueduct
Napoleon Solo arrived at Laurel Sunday afternoon.
After a bruised heel messed up his Derby prep, he led the field into the stretch of the Wood Memorial before fading to fifth.
Trainer Chad Summers is optimistic about the change in venue.
“We’re interested to see how the Preakness plays at Laurel instead of Pimlico, just like everyone else. It’s a different track and different circumference, but this is the race we’ve pointed to.”
Bull By The Horns
- Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr
- Jockey: TBA
- Sire: Essential Quality
- Record: 2-0-2 in five starts
- Last race: Won Rushaway Stakes on March 21 at Turfway Park
Saffie Joseph Jr. reports that Bull by the Horns is in good order following a fast half-mile at Gulfstream on Saturday.
The Essential Quality colt, known for his closing speed, shipped to Laurel on Sunday afternoon.
And impressed many in landing the Rushway Stakes at Turfway Park on March 21.
Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr will be eyeing a first Preakness.
Pretty Boy Miah
- Trainer: Jeremiah Englehart
- Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr
- Sire: Beau Liam
- Record: 2-1-0 in four starts
- Last race: Won starter optional claiming race April 25 at Aqueduct
The Jeremiah Englehart-trained Pretty Boy Miah is a bit of a “wildcard” entry.
He’s won two straight since adding blinkers, and trainer Jeremiah Englehart is eager to see him step up.
“These races only happen once a year. Is it logical? To me, he’s run fast enough numbers to compete, even without the stakes experience.”
If he gets bumped from the main field, he’ll likely target the Sir Barton Stakes instead.
Talkin
- Trainer: Danny Gargan
- Jockey: TBA
- Sire: Good Magic
- Record: 1-1-1 in five starts
- Last race: Third in Grade 1 Blue Grass on April 4 at Keeneland
Trainer Danny Gargan describes Talkin as “perfect” following a field-best work at Keeneland on Friday.
He’ll ship to Laurel on Tuesday after last being seen taking bronze in the Blue Grass at Keeneland last month.
Crupper
- Trainer: Donnie Von Hemel
- Jockey: Junior Alvarado
- Sire: Candy Ride
- Record: 2-0-3 in six starts
- Last race: Won Bathhouse Row Stakes on April 18 at Oaklawn Park
Meanwhile, Crupper-who earned a free berth by winning the Bathhouse Row Stakes-spent his Sunday morning jogging at Churchill’s training centre.
He’ll also van up on Tuesday with Junior Alvarado retaining the mount.
Preakness Stakes Winners (Last 13)
- 2025 – Journalism (Michael McCarthy)
- 2024 – Seize the Grey (D Wayne Lukas)
- 2023 – National Treasure (Bob Baffert)
- 2022 – Early Voting (Chad Brown)
- 2021 – Rombauer (Michael McCarthy)
- 2020 – Swiss Skydiver (Kenneth McPeek)
- 2019 – War of Will (Mark Casse)
- 2018 – Justify (Bob Baffert)
- 2017 – Cloud Computing (Chad Brown)
- 2016 – Exaggerator (J Keith Desormeaux)
- 2015 – American Pharoah (Bob Baffert)
- 2014 – California Chrome (Art Sherman)
- 2013 – Oxbow (D Wayne Lukas)
WATCH: Journalism Wins The 2025 Preakness Stakes
