Preakness Stakes 2026: Demling’s Predictions and Venue Shift Highlighted
With attendance projections dropping significantly and the race temporarily moving from Baltimore, Demling identifies Iron Honor as the favourite and Napoleon Solo as a key value pick for Saturday’s event.
SportsLine expert Jody Demling has released his betting predictions for the 2026 Preakness Stakes, scheduled to take place on Saturday, 16 May. The analysis comes as the historic Triple Crown race undergoes a significant logistical shift, with the event being hosted at Laurel Park due to a $400 million renovation of the traditional venue, Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. The race is confirmed to return to Baltimore in 2027.
Attendance projections for the 2026 event indicate a substantial decline compared to previous decades. While the Preakness Stakes weekend regularly drew over 100,000 patrons during the 2000s and 2010s, estimates for this year’s gathering at Laurel Park are just under 5,000. This reduction in crowd size coincides with the temporary relocation of the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.
In terms of market positioning, Iron Honor is currently the 9-2 favourite to win the race. The field includes several other contenders challenging for top status, with Incredibolt, Chip Honcho, and Taj Mahal all listed at 5-1 odds, while Ocelli sits at 6-1. Demling, who has a track record of identifying winners in recent Preakness and Kentucky Derby races, has highlighted Napoleon Solo as a key selection at 8-1 odds.
Demling noted that Napoleon Solo, who finished fifth in the Wood Memorial, is likely to be near the front of the pack and is not without a chance to hit the board. Beyond the short-priced favourites, Demling is constructing betting tickets around a double-digit longshot with a chance to win, aiming to capitalise on value in the exotic wager categories.
Historical data from the 2025 Preakness Stakes provides context for potential returns on complex bets. A $2 exacta returned $33.80, a $1 trifecta returned $73.50, and a $1 superfecta returned $303.40. Demling’s predictions for 2026 include specific recommendations for exacta, trifecta, and superfecta wagers, drawing on his experience of hitting the top three finishers in the correct order in previous major races.
