Iron Honor slight early favorite in Preakness
Iron Honor wins the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Chelsea Durand)
May 11th, 2026
A field of 14 has been entered for the $1.5 million Preakness (G1) at Laurel on Saturday, the second leg of the Triple Crown.
With only three Kentucky Derby (G1) starters returning on two weeks’ rest, Gotham (G3) winner Iron Honor has been installed the early 9-2 favorite. Trained by Chad Brown, who has won the Preakness on two prior occasions, Iron Honor is looking to rebound off a seventh-place finish in the Wood Memorial (G2).
The maiden Ocelli, third in the Wood Memorial and Kentucky Derby, is the co-second choice at 5-1 along with Virginia Derby winner Incredibolt, who finished sixth in the Derby, though beaten only four lengths. Also pegged at 5-1 are Chip Honcho, the Gun Runner S. winner and Risen Star (G2) runner-up, and Taj Mahal, unbeaten local winner of the Miracle Wood S. and Federico Tesio S. at Laurel.
Napoleon Solo, unplaced in the Fountain of Youth (G2) and Wood Memorial following an impressive win in the Champagne (G1) last fall, is 8-1 on the morning line.
The 1 3/16-mile Preakness is the 13th on a 14-race card.
