Great White

Winner of the John Battaglia Memorial got into the Derby field as the first also-eligible but was withdrawn after rearing up at the gate.

• Trainer: John Ennis
• Owner: Three Chimneys Farm & John Ennis

Iron Honor

Gotham (G3) winner had enough qualifying points for the Derby, but after a disappointing seventh-place finish as the favorite in the Wood Memorial (G2), his connections shifted focus to the Preakness.

• Trainer: John Ennis
• Owner: Three Chimneys Farm & John Ennis

Chip Honcho

Fair Grounds prep runner earned enough points to qualify for the Derby, but after a fifth-place effort in the Louisiana Derby (G2), his connections chose to target the Preakness instead.

• Trainer: Steve Asmussen
• Owner: Leland Ackerley Racing, James Sherwood, Jode Shupe & John Cilia

Taj Mahal

Undefeated colt secured his spot with a dominant front-running victory, drawing off by more than eight lengths in the "win & you're in" Federico Tesio S. at Laurel.

• Trainer: Brittany Russell
• Owner: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables et al.

Crupper

Pace presence showed his grit in the Bathhouse Row S. at Oaklawn Park, setting the tempo early and holding on determinedly through the stretch. The performance highlighted his front-running style and willingness to fight on late.

• Trainer: Donnie K. Von Hemel
• Owner: Robert H. Zoellner

Ocelli

Kentucky Derby surprise finisher closed from far back to grab third at 70-1 odds and now returns as one of the few Derby veterans in the Preakness field. The maiden colt has yet to break through for a win, but his late-running style makes him an intriguing contender with another fast pace expected.

• Trainer: Whit Beckman
• Owner: Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, and Brook T. Smith.

Incredibolt

Virginia Derby winner stamped himself as a legitimate contender with a powerful four-length score and later returned to finish a respectable sixth in the Kentucky Derby (G1). The Riley Mott trainee brings tactical speed and proven class into the Preakness, where he figures to be a major player once again.

• Trainer: Riley Mott
• Owner: Pin Oak Stud LLC

Robusta

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. The Calumet homebred would be a big surprise with Rafael Bejarano taking the reins. 

Talkin

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. The $600,000 bay smoked a bullet four furlongs in advance of the heat and is not without a top-three chance with Irad in the stirrups. 

The Hell We Did

Authentic colt was a game runner-up in the Lexington (G3) in his initial route try and has appeal second time going long. 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. Luis Saez retains the mount. 

Bull by the Horns

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. The gray son of Essential Quality will be rallying from off the pace with Micah Husbands in the irons.

Napoleon Solo

Grade 1 winner has blazing early speed and has a chance at a nice price while making his third run of 2026. The Chad Summers pupil dueled through rapid splits in the Wood Memorial in his latest showing and will be formidable in the lane with a more sensible trip in his local debut. Paco Lopez will be in the irons. 

Corona de Oro

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. The Bolt d’Oro colt is a question mark going this long, but the sophomore has ability and is not impossible for a top-four placing with John Velazquez on board for the first time. 

Pretty Boy Miah

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. The dark bay son of Beau Liam was assigned the widest post in the group, and he’s also a mystery with the added distance of the event, so the gelding would be something of a surprise under Ricardo Santana, Jr.