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Get to know the 2026 Preakness Stakes contenders

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Racing at Laurel Park (Photo by Maryland Jockey Club)

***Updated with post positions and morning-line odds

As trainer Cherie DeVaux has ruled Kentucky Derby (G1) hero Golden Tempo out of the Preakness (G1), an eclectic cast of mostly classic newcomers is assembling for the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. 

The 151st edition of the Preakness will be run May 16 at Laurel Park, with Pimlico currently undergoing redevelopment. But the venue change 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 (in Top 20 or entered as AEs)

 

Ocelli training at Churchill Downs

Ocelli training at Churchill Downs (Photo by Renee Torbit/Coady Media)

Ocelli - Post 2, 6-1

Kentucky Derby third outperformed his odds as a 70-1 maiden. 

Owners: Ashley Durr, Anthony Tate & Front Page Equestrian
Trainer: Whit Beckman
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Pedigree: Connect-Zalia, by Scat Daddy

 

Incredibolt wins the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs.

Incredibolt wins the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Incredibolt - Post 12, 5-1

Virginia Derby hero, a respectable sixth in the Kentucky Derby, just emerged as a contender on entry day.

Owner: Pin Oak Stud
Trainer: Riley Mott
Jockey: Jaime Torres

Pedigree: Bolt d'Oro-Sapphire Spitfire, by Awesome Again 

Robusta wins at Santa Anita.

Robusta wins at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)

Robusta - Post 4, 30-1

San Felipe (G2) runner-up got into the Derby as the third also-eligible and checked in 14th.

Owner: Calumet Farm
Trainer: Doug O'Neill
Jockey: Rafael Bejarano

Pedigree: Accelerate-Urbane Legend, by Into Mischief

 

Great White upsets the John Battaglia Memorial

Great White upsets the John Battaglia Memorial (Photo by Coady Media)

Great White - Post 13, 15-1

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
Jockey: Alex Achard

Pedigree: Volatile-Kelly Bag, by Uncle Mo

 

Iron Honor wins the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct.

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
Jockey: Flavien Prat

Pedigree: Nyquist-Orencia, by Blame

 

Chip Honcho wins the Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds.

Chip Honcho wins the Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds. (Photo by Hodges Photography)

Chip Honcho - Post 6, 5-1

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
Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Pedigree: Connect-Miss My Rose, by Magician

 

Corona de Oro galloping at Churchill Downs

Corona de Oro galloping at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)

Corona de Oro - Post 11, 30-1

Lexington (G3) third-placer tried to enter the Derby but was left as the last also-eligible who didn't draw into the field. 

Owners: On Our Own Stable, Commonwealth Stable, U Racing Stables et al.
Trainer: Dallas Stewart
Jockey: John Velazquez

Pedigree: Bolt d'Oro-Lemon de Oro, by Lemon Drop Kid

 

Preakness “Win and You’re In” qualifiers

Taj Mahal dominates the Federico Tesio

Taj Mahal dominates the Federico Tesio S. (Photo by Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club)

 

Taj Mahal - Post 1, 5-1

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
Jockey: Sheldon Russell

Pedigree: Nyquist-Oola Gal, by Quality Road

 

Crupper wins the Bathhouse Row S.

Crupper wins the Bathhouse Row S. (Photo by Coady Media)

 

Crupper - Post 3, 30-1

Pace factor held on gamely in the Bathhouse Row S. at Oaklawn Park. 

Owner: Robert H. Zoellner
Trainer: Donnie K. Von Hemel
Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Pedigree: Candy Ride-She’s All In, by Include

 

Other stakes performers

Napoleon Solo wins the Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct.

Napoleon Solo wins the Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

Napoleon Solo - Post 10, 8-1

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
Jockey: Paco Lopez

Pedigree: Liam’s Map-Atomic Blonde, by Scat Daddy

 

Talkin breaking his maiden at Saratoga.

Talkin breaking his maiden at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

Talkin - Post 5, 20-1

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
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Pedigree: Good Magic-Rote, by Tiznow

 

The Hell We Did finishing second in the Lexington (G3)

The Hell We Did (left) finishing second in the Lexington (G3) (Photo by Coady Media)

The Hell We Did - Post 7, 15-1

New Mexico-based colt was a solid second in the Lexington.

Owners: Peacock Family Racing Stable
Trainer: Todd Fincher
Jockey: Luis Saez

Pedigree: Authentic-Rose’s Desert, by Desert God

 

Bully by the Horns.

Bull by the Horns (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

Bull by the Horns - Post 8, 30-1

Rushaway S. winner was entered in the Peter Pan, but will scratch per Daily Racing Form and potentially try the Preakness. 

Owners: Peachtree Stable and Mark Corrado
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Jockey: Micah Husbands

Pedigree: Essential Quality-No Sweat, by Blame

 

Stakes debutant

Pretty Boy Miah captures an Aqueduct allowance

Pretty Boy Miah captures an Aqueduct allowance (Photo by Coglianese Photography)

 

Pretty Boy Miah - Post 14, 15-1

The 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
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr. 

Pedigree: Beau Liam-Tryingtolookpretty, by Mineshaft

 

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