Preakness Stakes relocates to Laurel Park for first time in 118 years

The 2026 Preakness Stakes will be held at Laurel Park in Maryland on Saturday, 16 May, marking the first time the event has been hosted away from Pimlico Race Course since 1908. The relocation is necessitated by a $400 million redevelopment project at the traditional venue in Baltimore. The race, which covers 1 3/16 miles, is the second and shortest leg of the American Triple Crown.

The absence of Golden Tempo, the winner of the 2026 Kentucky Derby, ensures that no new Triple Crown winner will be crowned this year. This marks the second consecutive year and the third time in five years that the Kentucky Derby winner has skipped the Preakness Stakes. Consequently, Justify remains the most recent horse to secure the Triple Crown, having achieved the feat in 2018.

A field of 14 horses will compete for the winner's circle at Laurel Park. Iron Honor is the betting favourite at 9/2 odds, with Taj Mahal, Chip Honcho, and Incredibolt listed at 5/1. Ocelli, who finished third at Churchill Downs, holds 6-1 odds. Other contenders include Napoleon Solo at 8-1, while The Well He Did, Great White, and Pretty Boy Miah are priced at 15-1. Several horses, including Crupper, Robusta, Talkin, Bull By The Horns, and Corono De Oro, are listed at 30-1.

SportsLine expert Gene Menez has advised against the favourite, Iron Honor, citing concerns regarding the race distance and the horse's performance in the Wood Memorial. Instead, Menez is backing longshot The Hell We Did at 15-1, noting its consistent form. The forecast for the event predicts sunny skies with a high of 84 degrees.

The 151st running of the Preakness Stakes will have a post time of 6:50 p.m. ET. The event will be broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock. The race represents a significant logistical shift for the institution, ending a 118-year tradition at Pimlico while maintaining its status as a key fixture in the national racing calendar.