The 2026 Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown, is set for Saturday, May 16. There's an interesting new wrinkle in this year's race, with Laurel Park playing host while Pimlico undergoes renovations.
2026 Preakness Stakes key info
- Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
- Post time: Approximately 6:50 p.m. ET
- Location: Laurel Park in Laurel, MD
- TV/Streaming: NBC, NBCSN, Peacock, FanDuel TV
Preakness Stakes odds
The odds to win the Preakness Stakes are heavily influenced by the results of the Kentucky Derby, from returning runners to the speed rating of the Derby.
Preakness Stakes picks
Our expert horse racing analysts will give their Preakness Stakes predictions, including their Preakness Stakes Win, Place, and Show picks and Preakness Stakes exacta, trifecta, and superfecta picks, closer to race day.
Preakness Stakes horses
The field for the Preakness Stakes is limited to 14 horses (compared to 20 for the Kentucky Derby), with entries based on graded stakes earnings as well as lifetime earnings. The Top 5 horses from the Kentucky Derby are granted automatic entrance, however, not all horses that run in the Derby will run in the Preakness.
Where can I bet on the Preakness Stakes?
Several legal horse racing specialist betting sites offer odds on the most popular races from around the world, including the Preakness Stakes.
Here are the best horse racing betting sites available.
Horse racing for beginners
Triple Crown races like the Preakness Stakes have a massive mainstream appeal and bring out many bettors new to horse racing. If you’re looking to learn the betting basics or need a refresher on some simple tips, check out our horse racing for beginners guide.
Preakness Stakes post positions
Preakness post positions are typically announced on the Monday of race week.
Watch
Horse racing fans can watch the 2026 Preakness Stakes on NBC. You can also live stream the race on Peacock, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app.
Preakness Stakes history
The Preakness Stakes has a rich history as one of the most storied events in horse racing, setting the stage for famed Triple Crown champions and providing countless thrilling finishes for horse racing bettors.
Distances
The first Preakness was held in 1873 and was originally run at 1 1/2 miles until 1894 when the race was shortened to 1 1/16 miles until 1900. Between 1901 and 1924 the distance moved between 1 mile and 70 yards and 1 1/8 miles before being set at its current length of 1 3/16 miles (9.5 furlongs).
Triple Crown road
Twenty-three horses have won both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, setting up a run at the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes. Only 13 of those contenders have completed the Triple Crown, with the most recent being Justify (2018) and American Pharoah (2015).
Fastest Preakness
The speed record for the 1 3/16-mile Preakness Stakes belongs to the famed Triple Crown champion Secretariat, who ran the 9.5 furlongs in a time of 1 minute and 53 seconds in 1973.
The 2020 Preakness winner Swiss Skydiver not only ran the second-fastest Preakness time at 1 3/16 miles, but set the all-time fastest run by a filly at 1:53.28. The 2020 Preakness was held in October rather than May due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Black-Eyed Susans
Known as the “Run for the Black-Eyed Susans”, the winner of the Preakness Stakes is adorned with a blanket of Black-Eyed Susans — the state flower of Maryland — and patrons enjoy a drink of the same name, which includes equal parts bourbon, vodka, and peach schnapps mixed with orange juice and sour mix.
Preakness Stakes FAQs
The Preakness Stakes is held on the third Saturday of May and will take place on May 16, 2026.
Post time for the 2026 Preakness Stakes is approximately 6:50 p.m. ET on May 16, 2026.
The 2026 Preakness Stakes will be held at Laurel Park in Laurel, MD. Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore is the usual site but is undergoing renovations.
The Preakness Stakes will be broadcast on NBC on May 16, 2026.
