Get to know the 2026 Preakness Stakes contenders
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Racing at Laurel Park (Photo by Maryland Jockey Club)
As trainer Cherie DeVaux waits to evaluate Kentucky Derby (G1) hero Golden Tempo’s status for the Preakness (G1), an eclectic cast of classic newcomers is assembling for the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.
The 151st edition the Preakness will be run May 16 at Laurel Park, with Pimlico currently undergoing redevelopment. But the change in venue will not affect the 1 3/16-mile distance.
Here’s the preliminary list of contenders that will be updated as plans crystallize, pending the May 11 draw.
Candidates for the 151st Preakness Stakes
Kentucky Derby qualifiers
Golden Tempo win the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
Golden Tempo
Veteran of the Fair Grounds preps put it all together with a dynamic last-to-first rally as a 23-1 shot in the Kentucky Derby.
Owner: Phipps Stable & St. Elias Stable
Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Pedigree: Curlin-Carrumba, by Bernardini
Potente wins the San Felipe at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)
Potente
San Felipe (G2) winner and Santa Anita Derby (G1) runner-up, who was 12th in the Run for the Roses, is the only other Derby starter under consideration.
Owner: Speedway Stables
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Pedigree: Into Mischief-Sweet Sting, by Awesome Again
Silent Tactic wins the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
Silent Tactic
Veteran of the Oaklawn Park preps was forced to scratch from the Derby with a bruised foot.
Owner: John C. Oxley
Trainer: Mark Casse
Pedigree: Tacitus-Magical Sign, by Gun Runner
Great White upsets the John Battaglia Memorial (Photo by Coady Media)
Great White
John Battaglia Memorial winner drew into the Derby as the first also-eligible, only to flip at the starting gate and get scratched.
Owners: Three Chimneys Farm & John Ennis
Trainer: John Ennis
Pedigree: Volatile-Kelly Bag, by Uncle Mo
Iron Honor wins the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Chelsea Durand)
Iron Honor
Gotham (G3) star had sufficient points to run in the Derby, but after a seventh as the favorite in the Wood Memorial (G2), connections opted to point for the Preakness.
Owners: St. Elias Stable, William H. Lawrence & Glassman Racing
Trainer: Chad Brown
Pedigree: Nyquist-Orencia, by Blame
Chip Honcho wins the Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds. (Photo by Hodges Photography)
Chip Honcho
Fair Grounds prep competitor amassed enough points to make the Derby field, but after a fifth in the Louisiana Derby (G2), connections decided that the Preakness was a better fit.
Owners: Leland Ackerley Racing, James Sherwood, Jode Shupe & John Cilia
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Pedigree: Connect-Miss My Rose, by Magician
Preakness “Win and You’re In” qualifiers
Taj Mahal dominates the Federico Tesio S. (Photo by Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club)
Taj Mahal
Unbeaten colt booked his ticket with a frontrunning, 8 1/4-length romp in the Federico Tesio S. at Laurel.
Owners: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables et al.
Trainer: Brittany Russell
Pedigree: Nyquist-Oola Gal, by Quality Road
Crupper wins the Bathhouse Row S. (Photo by Coady Media)
Crupper
Pace factor held on gamely in the Bathhouse Row S. at Oaklawn Park.
Owner: Robert H. Zoellner
Trainer: Donnie K. Von Hemel
Pedigree: Candy Ride-She’s All In, by Include
Other stakes performers
Crude Velocity wins the Pat Day Mile (G2) (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
Crude Velocity
Exciting colt extended his record to 3-for-3 in his stakes debut in the Pat Day Mile (G2) on Derby Day.
Owners: CSLR Racing Partners
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Pedigree: Beau Liam-Sweetnsour Kitty, by Lemon Drop Kid
Cherokee Nation wins at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)
Cherokee Nation
Flashy maiden winner was sixth after a troubled start in the Santa Anita Derby.
Owners: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables et al.
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Pedigree: Not This Time-Believe in Charlie, by Indian Charlie
Napoleon Solo wins the Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
Napoleon Solo
Last year’s Champagne (G1) romper dropped off the Derby trail following fifths in the Fountain of Youth (G2) and Wood Memorial.
Owner: Gold Square
Trainer: Chad Summers
Pedigree: Liam’s Map-Atomic Blonde, by Scat Daddy
Talkin breaking his maiden at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
Talkin
Champagne runner-up recently returned to better form with a third in the Blue Grass (G1).
Owners: Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Pine Racing Stables, Legendary Thoroughbreds et al.
Trainer: Danny Gargan
Pedigree: Good Magic-Rote, by Tiznow
Talk to Me Jimmy wins the Withers Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)
Talk to Me Jimmy
Withers conqueror, who came back to finish eighth in the Wood Memorial, is entered in this Saturday's Peter Pan (G3).
Owners: SEI Thoroughbreds, Rudy Rodriguez & Michael Imperio
Trainer: Rudy Rodriguez
Pedigree: Modernist-Prairie Trip, by Trippi
The Hell We Did (left) finishing second in the Lexington (G3) (Photo by Coady Media)
The Hell We Did
New Mexico-based colt was a solid second in the Lexington (G3).
Owners: Peacock Family Racing Stable
Trainer: Todd Fincher
Pedigree: Authentic-Rose’s Desert, by Desert God
Longshot Express Kid dominated the Remington Springboard Mile (Photo by Dustin Orona Photography/Remington Park)
Express Kid
Remington Springboard Mile winner has been sidelined since his near-miss in the Sunland Park Derby.
Owner: Paradise Equine Farm
Trainer: Justin Evans
Pedigree: Bodexpress-Sensationalize, by Street Sense
Stakes debutant
Pretty Boy Miah captures an Aqueduct allowance (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
Pretty Boy Miah
New York-based gelding has won his past two going one turn at Aqueduct.
Owners: Team Penney Racing, Echo Racing, Flower City Racing et al.
Trainer: Jeremiah Englehart
Pedigree: Beau Liam-Tryingtolookpretty, by Mineshaft
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