For the third time in five years, the Preakness Stakes will unfold without the anticipation of a Triple Crown contender, continuing a trend that has seen this occur five times since 2019. With Golden Tempo, the Kentucky Derby victor, opting out of this race, the legacy of Justify’s 2018 Triple Crown triumph remains unchallenged. On Saturday, the 2026 Preakness Stakes will welcome 14 hopefuls to Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland, with the race slated to begin around 6:50 p.m. ET.
This 1 3/16-mile race boasts a purse of $2 million, drawing significant attention to the field. Iron Honor leads the pack as the 9-2 favorite, closely followed by contenders Taj Mahal, Chip Honcho, and Incredibolt, each at 5-1 odds. Ocelli is not far behind at 6-1, with Napoleon Solo rounding out the top group at 8-1. Before deciding on your picks for the 2026 Preakness Stakes, it’s wise to consult the expert insights and predictions from Jody Demling, a top-tier horse racing analyst with SportsLine.
Jody Demling is a well-respected figure in horse racing circles, known for his sharp betting acumen and insightful commentary on the sport. His track record includes predicting the exact order of the top three finishers in the 2025 Kentucky Derby and accurately calling the winners of 11 out of the past 21 Preakness Stakes. In 2023, he successfully forecasted not just the winner, but also the exacta, trifecta, and superfecta. His prowess continued into 2024 with a trifecta hit and correctly naming Journalism as the 2025 Preakness champion. Followers of his betting advice on horse racing platforms have reaped significant rewards.
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With the lineup for the 2026 Preakness Stakes now set, Demling has unveiled his expert picks and predictions on SportsLine. Visit SportsLine to access his insights.
Top 2026 Preakness Stakes picks for Taj Mahal, Incredibolt, Iron Honor
In a notable twist, Demling has placed Taj Mahal outside his top five, despite the horse sharing the second-lowest odds of 5-1 with Chip Honcho and Incredibolt. Taj Mahal boasts a flawless 3-for-3 record, with all victories secured at Laurel Park, suggesting a strong familiarity with the venue. However, the quality of his competition has raised questions, as he has yet to face the level of rivals encountered by Derby trail participants. Consequently, Demling does not rank him among his top three picks in the early Preakness predictions.
Demling has also locked in his picks for Iron Honor, the 9-2 morning-line favorite. Chad Brown’s Preakness horse finished a distant seventh at the Grade 2 Wood Memorial on April, bogged down by traffic and post placement. His prior two races, he won them both, rolling the competition with speed figures that project very well for Preakness Stakes 2026. Demling believes in Brown, who is taking the blinkers off Iron Honor, and has taken similarly experienced horses to Preakness success.
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Demling has evaluated Incredibolt’s chances. Incredibolt is coming off a sixth-place finish at the May 2 Kentucky Derby. The Riley Mott-trained colt has posted three wins in his career, but has also finished fourth once and sixth twice. He is the son of Bolt d’Oro, who finished 12th at the 2018 Kentucky Derby.
Incredibolt opened his career with a fourth-place finish last August at the MSW at Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky. He followed that up with back-to-back wins. He took first at the MSW race at Churchill Downs, and was first at the 2025 Street Sense in October. After a sixth-place finish at the 2026 Holy Bull, he registered his last win at the 2026 Virginia Derby in March. See what horses Demling is backing at SportsLine.
How to make 2026 Preakness Stakes predictions, bets
Demling is also especially high on an epic double-digit longshot “with a chance” to win it all. Anyone who backs this sleeper pick could hit it big. Demling is sharing which horse it is, along with his entire projected 2026 Preakness Stakes leaderboard, over at SportsLine.
Which horse wins the Preakness Stakes 2026, and which stunning longshot is a must-back? Check out the latest 2026 Preakness Stakes odds below, then visit SportsLine to see Demling’s picks for the Preakness Stakes, all from the expert who has nailed the last three winners.
