2026 Preakness Stakes odds, predictions, contenders, horses

This one-off edition of the Preakness at Laurel has attracted an unusual capacity field, so perhaps the chances of another surprise have inherently increased. Who among the likely longer prices, then, has the best chance to do so?

While not among my top two selections, I have come around to accepting that #5 Talkin (20-1) is the longshot to keep an eye on in this Preakness. He's proven capable at hitting the board in some big events, and his best is surely yet to come.

Read the full analysis here on the best Preakness Stakes longshot today

Chip Honcho represents Golden Tempo’s Fair Grounds form

Aside from the jockeys’ trivia angle, Chip Honcho’s main talking point is that he comes out of the Fair Grounds series of preps that also launched Golden Tempo. The hardy colt ran in all four of them, with an alternating pattern of fortunes that could presage a return to form here.

Chip Honcho used his tactical speed to best effect when winning the Gun Runner S. and finishing second to Paladin in the Risen Star (G2), where Golden Tempo was a non-threatening third. Chip Honcho was less effective in the other two Fair Grounds features, fading to fourth in the Lecomte (G3) and fifth in the Louisiana Derby (G2). Golden Tempo beat him in those two, but Chip Honcho’s Risen Star effort illustrates that he can hold his own in top company with the right set-up.

Read more notable details on today's Preakness race

2026 Preakness Stakes Contenders

#1 TAJ MAHAL (5-1): The Brittany Russell pupil is proven over the surface and looked good going nine panels last time, indicating that the added ground will be within his scope, as well. 

#2 OCELLI (6-1): Whit Beckman trainee was a fine third in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and will be the one to beat with a repeat of that showing. 

#3 CRUPPER (30-1): Von Hemel charge was a smart winner of the Bath House Row S. at Oaklawn Park last time out and has never been better in preparation for his graded debut. 

#4 ROBUSTA (30-1): Accelerate colt has been dusted in a pair of graded runs in succession and needs a quick form reversal in order to impact the race for Doug O’Neill.

#5 TALKIN (20-1): Twice Grade-1 placed son of Good Magic will make his third run of the season and could be rounding up to a peak effort for trainer Danny Gargan. 

#6 CHIP HONCHO (5-1): Logical win contender from the Asmussen shedrow finished a huge second in the Risen Star (G2) two back and will be a formidable foe with something resembling that performance. 

#7 THE HELL WE DID (12-1): The half-brother to Senor Buscador has room to improve in his third run of the campaign, and he has also posted two morning drills at this venue, as well. 

#8 BULL BY THE HORNS (30-1): Rushaway S. star was dusted in his lone run in the graded ranks in advance of Saturday and has the look of an outsider for Saffie Joseph. 

#9 IRON HONOR (9-2): Top pick didn’t fire in his route debut in the Wood Memorial (G2) last time out, but the son of Nyquist was excellent in two outings prior to that and will also come in with blinkers off today. 

#10 NAPOLEON SOLO (8-1): Grade 1 winner has blazing early speed and has a chance at a nice price while making his third run of 2026. 

#11 CORONA DE ORO (30-1): Dallas Stewart pupil was a clear third in the Lexington (G3) when making his stakes debut most recently and is moving in the right direction as of late. 

#12 INCREDIBOLT (5-1): The Virginia Derby victor might be moving best of all in the closing stages of the tilt with regular pilot Jaime Torres in the saddle. 

#13 GREAT WHITE (15-1): The John Battaglia Memorial S. star will track the contested pace from the opening bell with Alex Achard in the silks once again. 

#14 PRETTY BOY MIAH (15-1): Englehart pupil has powered home to a pair of sharp wins since having blinkers added and will make his two-turn debut on this occasion. 

RELATED: LIVE Preakness 2026: Odds, betting tips, expert picks, horses, and entries

Additional racing today

Grade 1 winner #3 Burnham Square (2-5) will lead a compact field of six postward in the $250,000 Louisville (G3) on the Churchill Downs lawn on Saturday. The 1 1/2-mile grassy marathon attracted a talented group, but there is no doubt that the race goes through the Ian Wilkes trainee. 

Burnham Square raced on the dirt in his first nine tries and earned a pair of graded stakes victories, led by a triumph in the 2025 Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland. In his sophomore finale, the gelding tried the turf for the initial time and just missed in the lucrative Nashville Derby at Kentucky Downs.