Updated: May 5, 2026 | 151st Preakness Stakes | Laurel Park | Saturday, May 16, 2026
The 2026 Preakness Stakes horses represent one of the most diverse and fascinating Triple Crown fields in recent memory. Only one of the 18 horses that ran in the Kentucky Derby is expected to return in the Preakness — race winner Golden Tempo — which means this second leg of the Triple Crown is being inherited almost entirely by horses that bypassed Churchill Downs and have been specifically targeting Laurel Park for weeks.
That’s a rare setup. It means the Preakness Stakes horses of 2026 aren’t tired Derby runners grinding through a two-week turnaround — they’re fresh, sharp, and pointed. Below is a complete, up-to-date profile of every serious horse in the 2026 Preakness field.
🏇 Complete 2026 Preakness Stakes Horse Profiles
🥇 Golden Tempo
Status: Under Consideration | Odds: 70-1 (early futures) Trainer: Cherie DeVaux | Jockey: Jose Ortiz | Sire: Bodexpress Owners: Phipps Stable & St. Elias Stables | Record: Won Kentucky Derby (May 2, 2026)
The wildcard that changes everything. Golden Tempo rallied from the back of the 18-horse Kentucky Derby field at 23-1 odds to win under jockey Jose Ortiz on May 2. The morning after, his connections shipped him back to Keeneland for recovery and observation. Trainer DeVaux said Golden Tempo’s upcoming training will be what ultimately determines whether the colt will attempt to become racing’s 14th Triple Crown winner, adding: “He needs to be healthy, be sound, be happy, have good energy.”
If he runs — and that’s still a genuine if — Golden Tempo brings the most complete resume into Laurel Park. He’s proven he can rally from well off the pace in a massive field, but the 1 3/16-mile Preakness distance against fresher horses is a legitimate test.
The angle to watch: His morning workouts at Keeneland this week. Any sign of dullness or soreness and connections will redirect to the Belmont.
🔥 Crude Velocity
Status: Very Likely | Odds: Early favorite if Golden Tempo skips Trainer: Bob Baffert | Sire: Gun Runner | Record: 3-for-3 (unbeaten) Owners: CSLR Racing Partners
The most electric Derby bypasser in the 2026 field. Crude Velocity extended his unbeaten record to three with a dominant score in the Pat Day Mile Stakes (G2) on the Kentucky Derby undercard, and owner Bill Childs told the Thoroughbred Daily News they would next target the Preakness.
Trained by Bob Baffert — who holds a record eight Preakness victories — this son of Gun Runner checks every box: unbeaten, fresh, Grade 2-tested, and backed by a trainer who has been to this rodeo more than anyone alive. Baffert also trains Preakness possible Cherokee Nation, who last finished sixth in the April 4 Santa Anita Derby.
The angle to watch: Whether Baffert runs both Crude Velocity and Cherokee Nation, creating a potential barn-versus-barn scenario.
🏠 Taj Mahal
Status: Confirmed | Odds: Prominent contender Trainer: Brittany Russell | Record: 3-for-3 (perfect, all at Laurel Park)
The ultimate home field advantage story of 2026. Undefeated 3-year-old colt Taj Mahal is bound for the 151st Preakness Stakes following a dominant 8¼-length victory in the Federico Tesio at Laurel Park — his two-turn debut — which earned him an automatic Preakness berth.
Here is what makes Taj Mahal genuinely dangerous: every single start of his career has come at Laurel Park. He knows the turns, the surface, and the paddock. In a smaller field without Churchill Downs’ 18-horse chaos, Taj Mahal sets the pace, controls it, and dares the field to come get him — a setup that does not favor the same deep closers who won at Churchill Downs.
The angle to watch: Post position. A clean outside draw keeps him out of early trouble and lets him dictate terms.
📐 Iron Honor
Status: Confirmed | Odds: Value contender Trainer: Chad Brown | Last Race: Gotham Stakes (G3) Winner (Belmont Park)
Chad Brown has won the Preakness twice. Both times looked almost exactly like this. Iron Honor fits Brown’s exact Preakness blueprint — both previous winners Cloud Computing (2017) and Early Voting (2022) came out of the Wood Memorial on April 4, rested six weeks, and ran as their fourth career start. Iron Honor is following that template to the letter.
Iron Honor was at Belmont Park for a half-mile workout in :48.85 on Saturday. Brown confirmed the Preakness is the plan. He represents the kind of quietly dangerous horse bettors tend to overlook until he’s celebrating in the Laurel Park winner’s circle.
The angle to watch: Any odds above 8-1 should be viewed as legitimate value.
💪 Chip Honcho
Status: Confirmed | Odds: Mid-range contender Trainer: Steve Asmussen | Jockey: Juan Hernandez | Sire: Curlin Record: 3-2-0 in six starts | Last Race: Bathhouse Row Stakes winner (April 18, Oaklawn)
A horse that was deliberately routed to the Preakness. Steve Asmussen said the Preakness was a better fit for Chip Honcho after a disappointing fifth in the Louisiana Derby at the exact same 1 3/16-mile Preakness distance, adding: “I very much don’t want to put two of those together. I think avoiding running in the Derby off that and pointing him for the Preakness gives us a better chance to get back on track.”
Chip Honcho worked a bullet five furlongs in 1:00 on May 2 for Hall of Famer Asmussen, who confirmed the Preakness remains the target. The Curlin colt has the pedigree, the prep, and a world-class trainer behind him.
The angle to watch: His Louisiana Derby performance needs explaining — surface or pace? That answer shapes his Preakness ceiling.
⚡ Napoleon Solo
Status: Expected | Odds: Speed factor Trainer: Chad Summers | Sire: Liam’s Map | Last Race: Champagne Stakes Winner
Pure, undeniable early speed. Napoleon Solo went six furlongs in 1:10 on the dirt training track at Belmont, and trainer Summers said he expects to breeze the horse one more time in New York before shipping to Laurel around May 10. In a field with multiple speed horses, Napoleon Solo’s presence will force a pace battle — which could set up an interesting stretch run for closers, or could result in a wire-to-wire win if the fractions are managed. Summers has acknowledged the pace dynamic, saying: “There’s no secret that he has a lot of speed, but there’s some other speed horses signed up.”
The angle to watch: How the pace develops with both Napoleon Solo and Taj Mahal in the race.
🩹 Great White
Status: Likely if Saturday work clears | Odds: Long shot overlay Trainer: John Ennis | Jockey: Alex Achard
The comeback story. Great White reared and fell at the Churchill Downs starting gate on May 2, was scratched before a single Derby stride, but came out of the freak incident without serious injury. By the following morning the horse was jogging two miles at the barn. Trainer John Ennis, characteristically understated, told reporters: “I’ve taken worse falls out of bed.” US Racing
If his Saturday half-mile breeze at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington comes back clean, the connections are going to the Preakness. At a generous price, Great White is a legitimate exotic ticket inclusion. US Racing
The angle to watch: The Saturday workout report and whether his gate behavior has been addressed.
🌿 The Hell We Did
Status: Likely | Odds: Longshot Trainer: Todd Fincher | Last Race: 2nd in Lexington (G3) at Keeneland
The Hell We Did has raced at four different racetracks in as many starts, most recently finishing second in the April 11 Lexington (G3) at Keeneland — his two-turn debut. Trained by Todd Fincher, he shipped from Kentucky to Maryland. His willingness to travel and improve at each track suggests adaptability. At a long price, there are worse horses to include underneath. Horse Racing Nation
📋 Other Preakness Stakes Horses 2026 — The Full Possibles List
Beyond the profiles above, other possible Preakness starters include Cherokee Nation (Bob Baffert), Crupper (Donnie Von Hemel, Bathhouse Row Stakes winner), Express Kid, Ottinho (Chad Brown, Blue Grass runner-up), Pretty Boy Miah, Silent Tactic (scratched from the Derby with a foot bruise), Talkin (Danny Gargan), and Talk to Me Jimmy.
Silent Tactic was scratched from the Derby with a foot bruise on April 29 and represents one of the more interesting “what if” entries — a horse with Derby credentials who never had to run that grueling race.
📺 Video: 2026 Preakness Stakes Horse Previews
🐦 Live Reaction on X (Twitter)
Preakness fair odds: @EJXD2 says that if Golden Tempo goes to the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, he’ll face a tough test.https://t.co/CoFuKm8YyD
📸: Anika Miskar pic.twitter.com/01pISWCUCs
— Horse Racing Nation (@HR_Nation) May 5, 2026
📊 2026 Preakness Stakes Horses — At-a-Glance
| Horse | Trainer | Status | Key Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Tempo | Cherie DeVaux | Undecided | Kentucky Derby winner |
| Crude Velocity | Bob Baffert | Very Likely | Unbeaten, Pat Day Mile winner |
| Taj Mahal | Brittany Russell | Confirmed | Unbeaten, all starts at Laurel |
| Iron Honor | Chad Brown | Confirmed | Mirrors Brown’s two Preakness wins |
| Chip Honcho | Steve Asmussen | Confirmed | Deliberate Preakness pointer |
| Napoleon Solo | Chad Summers | Expected | Speed factor, ships May 10 |
| Great White | John Ennis | Likely | Gate scratch survivor |
| The Hell We Did | Todd Fincher | Likely | 4 tracks in 4 starts |
| Silent Tactic | TBD | Possible | Scratched Derby, foot bruise |
| Cherokee Nation | Bob Baffert | Possible |
2nd Baffert entry |
🔗 Outbound Resources
-
🏇 Full field updates → Horse Racing Nation — 2026 Preakness
- 💰 Live odds board → Covers.com Preakness 2026
- 📊 Pace & handicapping picks → Horse Racing Sense
- 🗞️ Great White update → US Racing
- 🏟️ Guide to Laurel Park 2026 → America’s Best Racing
❓ FAQ — Preakness Stakes Horses 2026
Q: Who are the horses in the 2026 Preakness Stakes? As of May 5, 2026, the confirmed and expected 2026 Preakness Stakes horses include Golden Tempo (possible), Crude Velocity, Taj Mahal, Iron Honor, Chip Honcho, Napoleon Solo, Great White, The Hell We Did, Silent Tactic, Cherokee Nation, Ottinho, Crupper, Talkin, and Talk to Me Jimmy. The official field of up to 14 is set at the May 11 post draw.
Q: Which Preakness Stakes horses 2026 bypassed the Kentucky Derby? The vast majority of the 2026 Preakness field bypassed Churchill Downs entirely. Key Derby skippers pointing at Laurel include Crude Velocity, Taj Mahal, Iron Honor, Chip Honcho, Napoleon Solo, The Hell We Did, and Talkin — making this one of the freshest Preakness fields in recent years.
Q: Who is the unbeaten horse in the 2026 Preakness? Two horses enter the 2026 Preakness Stakes with perfect unbeaten records: Crude Velocity (3-for-3, trained by Bob Baffert) and Taj Mahal (3-for-3, trained by Brittany Russell, with all three wins at Laurel Park).
Q: Who trains the most horses in the 2026 Preakness Stakes? Hall of Famer Bob Baffert has two possible entries in the 2026 Preakness: Crude Velocity and Cherokee Nation. Chad Brown also has two possibles: Iron Honor and Ottinho.
Q: What horse won the 2026 Kentucky Derby? Golden Tempo, trained by Cherie DeVaux and owned by Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stables, won the 2026 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs at odds of 23-1. DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby.
Q: Is the 2026 Preakness at Pimlico or somewhere else? The 2026 Preakness Stakes is not at Pimlico. For the first time in the race’s 151-year history, it is being held at Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland, while Pimlico Race Course undergoes a complete rebuild. The race returns to Pimlico in 2027.
Q: What does “Preakness Stakes horses possibles list” mean? The possibles list is the Maryland Jockey Club’s informal declaration of horses whose trainers have expressed interest in running. In 2026, 16 horses were listed as possible, but the official field is capped at 14. Trainers confirm final entries at the May 11 post position draw.
Q: Who is the trainer to watch for the 2026 Preakness Stakes horses? Three trainers stand out: Bob Baffert (record 8 Preakness wins, enters Crude Velocity), Chad Brown (2 Preakness wins, enters Iron Honor following his exact winning blueprint), and Brittany Russell (enters unbeaten local hero Taj Mahal).
All horse statuses and odds reflect information available as of May 5, 2026. The official 2026 Preakness Stakes field will be confirmed at the post position draw on Monday, May 11, 2026.