2026 Preakness Stakes relocated to Laurel Park as renovations force venue shift

The 2026 Preakness Stakes is scheduled to take place at Laurel Park in Maryland on 16 May, marking a significant logistical shift for the annual event. Due to ongoing renovations at Pimlico Race Course, the venue will host the race for the fourth time, a move that also sees the subsequent Belmont Stakes relocated to Saratoga following construction work at Belmont Park.

Horse racing expert Jody Demling, who correctly predicted the winners of the last three Preakness Stakes, has released his analysis for the upcoming contest. The expert identifies Crude Velocity as the 4-1 early favourite, citing the horse's recent victory in the Pat Day Mile as a key indicator of form.

Demling highlights Taj Mahal as a compelling longshot option at 20-1, noting the horse's perfect record of three wins from three starts at Laurel Park. The expert points to Taj Mahal's strong pedigree, which includes sire Nyquist and damsire Quality Road, alongside a robust schedule that ensures sufficient rest prior to the race.

Conversely, Demling advises against backing Golden Tempo, the Kentucky Derby champion, despite the horse's current status as a 70-1 longshot. The expert argues that Golden Tempo has never competed with less than four weeks of rest between major events, making the proposed two-week turnaround between the Derby and the Preakness a significant risk factor.

Trainer Brittany Russell is also noted as a central figure in the field, having led all trainers in Maryland for wins in both 2023 and 2024. Her association with Taj Mahal adds further weight to the expert's recommendation for the Maryland-based venue.

The decision to move the event underscores the broader challenges facing the sport's infrastructure, with multiple major races forced into temporary locations to accommodate essential maintenance and construction projects across the region.