Preakness Stakes 2026 Guide
· news
2026 Preakness Stakes Guide: Location, Time, TV Channels, Betting Favorites
The 2026 Preakness Stakes has relocated from Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course to Laurel Park this year. The move is a one-year switch due to ongoing renovations at Pimlico, which have been underway for some time.
Pimlico’s management had to balance the needs of horse racing with those of the surrounding community during these renovations. This decision reflects broader challenges facing tracks like Belmont Park in New York and Churchill Downs in Kentucky, which have struggled with declining attendance and revenue due to increased competition from online betting platforms and shifting consumer habits.
The absence of Golden Tempo, one of the favorites going into the Preakness, raises questions about the impact on the Triple Crown’s momentum. Trainer Cherie DeVaux opted to give the horse a break ahead of its next scheduled start at the Belmont Stakes in June, citing the best interests of the animal. However, this decision also means that fans and bettors will have to wait longer for what promises to be an exciting showdown.
The 14-horse field features several notable entrants from the Kentucky Derby, including Ocelli, which finished third. With Golden Tempo out of the picture, jockey Jose Ortiz has been shifted to ride Chip Honcho instead. The Preakness will also showcase a diverse range of horses and trainers, reflecting the increasing globalization of horse racing.
Fans can catch live coverage on Peacock beginning at 1 p.m. ET, with NBC taking over at 4 p.m. Saturday’s event is high-stakes for the horses competing in this year’s Preakness, not just for their owners and trainers but also for the sport as a whole.
The field of 14 horses includes several familiar faces from the Kentucky Derby, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. While Ocelli is the standout contender from that event, its trainer, D. Whitworth Beckman, has faced controversy regarding medication use in the past. Iron Honor, ridden by Flavien Prat for trainer Chad Brown, will be looking to make up ground after a disappointing finish at Churchill Downs. Incredibolt, trained by Riley Mott and ridden by Jaime Torres, is seeking its first major win of the season.
The absence of Golden Tempo has undoubtedly altered the dynamics of this year’s Preakness, but it remains to be seen whether any of the other entrants can step up to fill the void. The move to Laurel Park highlights the ongoing challenges facing tracks like Pimlico, where revenue continues to decline and competition from online betting platforms grows.
The Preakness Stakes shift is part of an ongoing trend in the horse racing industry, as consumers increasingly turn to online platforms for their betting needs. Tracks must find innovative ways to compete, which might involve exploring new business models, investing in digital infrastructure, or partnering with streaming services like Peacock.
The 2026 Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park is a microcosm of the broader issues facing the industry today. Whether or not horse racing can adapt to these changing circumstances remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the stakes have never been higher for its survival and relevance in the modern era.
Reader Views
- EKEditor K. Wells · editor
One concern that's barely mentioned in this preview is how Laurel Park will handle the added traffic and logistical challenges of hosting the Preakness for one year. With Pimlico's ongoing renovations, it remains to be seen whether Laurel can absorb the influx of fans, media, and officials without disruptions to the racing experience. The stakes are high not just on the track but also in the pit lanes.
- CMColumnist M. Reid · opinion columnist
The 2026 Preakness Stakes has indeed shifted gears with its move to Laurel Park, but beneath the surface lies a more complex web of challenges and opportunities for horse racing as a whole. While this temporary relocation may be a logistical necessity, it's also a reminder that the sport needs to adapt faster than ever to changing consumer habits and online betting platforms. The real question is whether the Preakness can use its one-year reprieve at Laurel Park to revitalize interest in the Triple Crown and reassert its place as the nation's premier racing event.
- CSCorrespondent S. Tan · field correspondent
The Preakness has officially crossed state lines for its brief 2026 sojourn at Laurel Park, and while this one-year relocation may seem like a minor tweak, it's a telling sign of the industry's struggles to adapt to shifting consumer habits. Online betting platforms have certainly played a role in declining attendance and revenue at traditional tracks, but it's worth noting that these changes also offer opportunities for innovation – could this forced hiatus be just what Pimlico needs to reinvent itself?