2026 Preakness Stakes Betting Guide: Horses to watch, Trends & Picks

Last Updated: February 14th

Race Overview

The 2026 Preakness Stakes will be run at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, over 1 3/16 miles (9.5 furlongs) on dirt for three-year-olds. It is the second leg of the American Triple Crown and is traditionally held two weeks after the Kentucky Derby.

  • Distance: 1 3/16 miles (9.5 furlongs)

  • Surface: Dirt

  • Age Restriction: 3-year-olds

  • Typical Field Size: Smaller than the Kentucky Derby (often 8–14 starters)

  • Historical Note: First run in 1873

The Preakness is shorter than the Kentucky Derby and longer than many prep races, creating a unique pace dynamic.

Historical Betting Trends

All figures below are historically documented.

  • Since 1908 (pari-mutuel era in Maryland), betting favorites have won approximately 35%–40% of runnings.

  • The Preakness has historically produced a higher favorite win rate than the Kentucky Derby.

  • Because the field is typically smaller than the Derby, extreme longshot winners are less common.

  • Tactical speed has historically been advantageous due to the shorter distance and tighter turns at Pimlico.

Notable short-priced winners in recent decades include:

  • American Pharoah

  • Justify

  • War of Will

The race often favors horses positioned close to the pace rather than deep closers.

Post Position Trends

Unlike the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness rarely has 20 starters.

Historical observations:

  • Middle post positions have historically performed well.

  • There is no post position equivalent to the Derby’s Post 17 anomaly.

  • Inside posts are not considered a significant disadvantage due to smaller field size.

Because of fewer starters, post bias plays a smaller role than pace and trip.

Fastest Winning Times

The fastest Preakness Stakes in history:

  • Secretariat — 1:53.00 (1973)

This time stands as the official Preakness Stakes record.

Notable additional fast times:

  • Curlin — 1:53.46

  • Tank's Prospect — 1:53.40

Secretariat’s 1:53.00 remains the benchmark.

Triple Crown Context

The Preakness is the second leg of the Triple Crown, following the Kentucky Derby and preceding the Belmont Stakes.

There have been 13 Triple Crown winners in history.

The Preakness often determines whether a Triple Crown bid continues.

Most Derby winners do not sweep the Triple Crown, but many Derby winners do compete in the Preakness.

Longshot & Upset History

While the Preakness has produced upsets, they are less extreme compared to the Derby.

Notable higher-priced winners:

  • Exaggerator — 3-1 (not a major longshot, but defeated heavy favorite Nyquist)

  • Bernardini — 12-1

  • Oxbow — 15-1

True extreme longshots above 50-1 are rare in the Preakness compared to the Derby.

Contender Watch List (Updated Throughout Prep Season)

The following horses are on the early radar for the 2026 Preakness Stakes. This list will be updated as prep races conclude and qualifying points are finalized.

Horse Name

Trainer:
Running Style: (Front-runner / Presser / Stalker / Closer)
Notable Prep Result:
Strength:
Primary Concern:

Brief 3–4 sentence evaluation explaining:

  • What they’ve proven

  • How their running style fits the Derby pace

  • Whether they project to handle 1¼ miles at Churchill Downs

Horse Name

Trainer:
Running Style:
Notable Prep Result:
Strength:
Primary Concern:

Evaluation paragraph.

Horse Name

Trainer:
Running Style:
Notable Prep Result:
Strength:
Primary Concern:

Evaluation paragraph.

Horse Name

Trainer:
Running Style:
Notable Prep Result:
Strength:
Primary Concern:

Evaluation paragraph.

Trackside Profits Official Pick

Trackside Profits Official Selection:
Confidence Level:
Suggested Bet Structure:

Selection will be finalized after post position draw and confirmed track conditions.