2026 Preakness Stakes: Date, time and everything to know about the second jewel
The 2026 Preakness Stakes is less than a week away. Here is what to know about the prestigious second jewel of the Triple Crown.
The 151st Preakness Stakes , the prestigious second jewel of the Triple Crown, is just a week away. Excitement is mounting with the post positions for the contenders to be unveiled soon, setting the stage for one of horse racing’s most anticipated events. Fourteen of the finest three-year-old thoroughbreds will compete over a challenging 1 3/16-mile course, each striving to etch their names into racing history.
Due to ongoing renovations at the historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, this year’s event will take place at Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland, preserving the race’s rich tradition in a new setting. Triple Crown hopes for 2026 were crushed when Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo skipped the Preakness. Trainer Cherie DeVaux underscored that the colt’s health and recovery come first, prioritizing his long-term well-being and said that their focus will be on the Belmont Stakes in June.
Even without Golden Tempo, the field remains highly competitive. Crude Velocity enters as the early favorite, having extended his unbeaten streak to three with a victory in the Pat Day Mile on Derby weekend. Chip Honcho, trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, also stands out as a top contender.
He bypassed the Kentucky Derby to target the Preakness and arrives fresh for this marquee race. Here’s what you need to know about this year’s Preakness Stakes. More: Triple Crown winners: What horses achieved sport's greatest feat?