Meet the Contenders: 2026 Preakness Stakes
Iron Honor wins the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Joe Labozzetta)
May 12th, 2026
Meet the horses running in the 2026 Preakness (G1) at Laurel Park. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents the opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your Stable Alerts.
Taj Mahal dominates the Federico Tesio S. (Photo by Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club)
#1 Taj Mahal ****
Trainer: Brittany Russell
Pro: Local hope won Federico Tesio S. for fun and will be winging it.
Con: Faces the toughest field to date, and there’s a lot of other speed for him to deal with.
Ocelli training at Churchill Downs (Photo by Renee Torbit/Coady Media)
#2 Ocelli ***
Trainer: Whit Beckman
Pro: Surprise third in both the Wood Memorial (G2) and Kentucky Derby (G1).
Con: Still a maiden and has finished better than third only once in seven races.
Crupper wins the Bathhouse Row S. (Photo by Coady Media)
#3 Crupper *
Trainer: Donnie Von Hemel
Pro: Won stakes debut at Oaklawn and has plenty of stamina in his pedigree.
Con: Appears to be one of the primary outsiders from a speed rating perspective.
Robusta wins at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)
#4 Robusta *
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Pro: Nearly upset San Felipe (G2) three back though outclassed since.
Con: Adds fuel to pace; hard to see him improving much on Derby finish.
#4 Talkin edges out #1 Stardale at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)
#5 Talkin **
Trainer: Danny Gargan
Pro: Snuck into trifecta against runaway Blue Grass (G1) winner.
Con: Winless since a seven-furlong debut back in late August.
Chip Honcho wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
#6 Chip Honcho ****
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Pro: Louisiana Derby (G2) flop seems forgivable, given Risen Star (G2) effort.
Con: Another who likes to race up close in a field overflowing with speed.
The Hell We Did (left) finishing second in the Lexington (G3) (Photo by Coady Media)
#7 The Hell We Did ***
Trainer: Todd Fincher
Pro: Solid effort in Lexington (G3) despite some class concerns.
Con: Although sired by a Derby winner, distance could be an issue.
Bull by the Horns (Photo by Coglianese Photo)
#8 Bull by the Horns *
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Pro: Prevailed in Rushaway S. despite not getting a strong pace.
Con: Speed ratings look too weak to endorse with confidence.
Iron Honor wins the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Joe Labozzetta)
#9 Iron Honor ****
Trainer: Chad Brown
Pro: Talented Gotham (G3) winner goes for two-time Preakness-winning barn.
Con: Rough trip in Wood Memorial, but finish against that crew looks shaky.
It was a stretch battle in the Gotham and IRON HONOR had no problem stretching out to a mile, picking up 50 points towards the @kentuckyderby! 🌹@jockeyfranco was aboard the 3YO colt and Chad Brown trains. pic.twitter.com/38HBbR0pdl
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 28, 2026
Napoleon Solo wins the Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#10 Napoleon Solo ***
Trainer: Chad Summers
Pro: The field’s lone prior G1 winner, albeit in a modest renewal of the Champagne.
Con: Hasn’t really taken to two turns in a pair of attempts.
Corono De Oro wins at Fair Grounds. (Photo by Hodges Photography)
#11 Corona de Oro ***
Trainer: Dallas Stewart
Pro: Much improved this season and should be within striking distance.
Con: Negatively affected by pace pressure in furlong-shorter Lexington.
Incredibolt wins the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
#12 Incredibolt *****
Trainer: Riley Mott
Pro: Beaten only four lengths in Kentucky Derby off longish layoff.
Con: If a two-week turnaround is not ideal, it will affect him.
.@jaimetorresjcky led INCREDIBOLT to another victory in the Virginia Derby on Saturday @ColonialDowns. The 3yo by Bolt d'Oro is now @KentuckyDerby bound!
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 15, 2026
Hear Jaime's post-race thoughts 👇 pic.twitter.com/NOmm8btDSZ
Great White wins the Gary L. Wilfert Memorial at Turfway Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
#13 Great White **
Trainer: John Ennis
Pro: A big physical specimen runs best employing stalk-and-pounce tactics.
Con: Worst loss, his only try on dirt; pre-Derby antics resulted in a scratch.
Pretty Boy Miah captures an Aqueduct allowance (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#14 Pretty Boy Miah **
Trainer: Jeremiah Englehart
Pro: A potential pace player if he can overcome the draw, but for how long?
Con: Both wins around one turn were against far easier opponents.
PRETTY BOY MIAH wins for fun in race 5 at Aqueduct for trainer Jeremiah Englehart with @RSantana_jr aboard! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/cvg0mgnNPE
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 29, 2026
