2026 Preakness Stakes predictions, odds, field, place, time Post: Picks from a certified horse racing expert

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2026 Preakness Stakes predictions, odds, field, place, time Post: Picks from a certified horse racing expert

With no chance to win the Triple Crown this year, the 2026 Preakness Stakes features an open field of six horses with odds of 8-1 or less. Saturday’s post time from Laurel Park is set for approximately 6:50 pm ET. For the second year in a row, the Kentucky Derby winner skipped the Preakness in preparation for next month’s Belmont Stakes. Golden Tempo won this year’s Kentucky Derby, but won’t get the chance to become the first Triple Crown winner since Justice in 2018.

The forecast is for temperatures nearing 80 degrees with a slight chance of rain. Iron Honor (9-2) is the favorite in the 14-horse field. He is followed by Chip Honcho (5-1), Incredibolt (5-1), Taj Mahal (5-1), Ocelli (6-1) and Napoleon Solo (8-1). Before making any 2026 Preakness Stakes picks, be sure to check out the 2026 Preakness Stakes predictions and best bets from SportsLine’s top horse racing expert Gene Menez.

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A former reporter and editor at Sports Illustrated, Menez has covered many sports, including horse racing, for the magazine and its website for nearly 14 years. Between 2010 and 2012, he served as SI’s handicapper in the Triple Crown races and correctly predicted Super Saver to win the 2010 Kentucky Derby.

In 2015, while writing for Sports on Earth, Menez accurately gave the Kentucky Derby superfecta (American Pharoah, Firing Line, Dortmund and Frosted), which paid $1,268.20 for $2. Then in 2017, he tweeted his Kentucky Derby picks, including Always Dreaming to win, and hit Pick 4, which paid approx. $6,900 for a $1 bet. In 2024, Menez released 18-1 Mystik Dan as a live shot in the Kentucky Derby. In last year’s Kentucky Derby, he did the exacta and trifecta for a payout of $1,045. Anyone who followed his horse racing betting the advice may be too high.

Now, Menez has handicapped the 2026 Preakness Stakes field and revealed his picks. Go here to see them.

Top Preakness Stakes predictions for 2026

One of Menez’s surprising decisions for the 2026 Preakness Stakes: Menez fades Iron Honor, the 9-2 favorite. Iron Honor opened his career strong. In December, he won the MSW race at Aqueduct with a solid time of 1:11.23. He followed that up with a victory in the 2026 Gotham Stakes in February.

Red flags appeared after his last start, however. After a strong start, he faded to a seventh-place finish in the 2026 Wood Memorial on April 4. Despite more than 2,800 career wins, trainer Chad Brown, 47, has just two Preakness victories – 2017 and 2022. See who’s coming back to SportsLine.

Another surprise: Menez tops The Hell We Did, a longshot at 15-1. He finished first or second in all four career races. He didn’t go more than six furlongs until the Lexington Stakes on April 11. However, he was able to run well over 1 1/16 miles, finishing second to Preakness teammate Corona de Oro. The book The Hell We Did wrote no. 7, has the second-highest winning percentage of all time in the Preakness Stakes, and has produced three winners since 2000.

“He will be making his third start at the event, which is usually the leading horse,” said Menez. “He’s been training at Laurel for two weeks and has impressed trackside spectators with the way he looked this morning. One even called him a ‘beast.'” See what other horses are coming back on SportsLine.

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How to make 2026 Preakness Stakes picks, bets

Menez’s top choice was a horse that was “incredibly fast.” And he’s high on the tall double-digit “final fit.” Menez shared which horse, and his entire 2026 Preakness Stakes projected leaderboard, with SportsLine.

Which horse wins the 2026 Preakness Stakes, and which longshot should return? Check out the latest 2026 Preakness Stakes odds below, then visit SportsLine to see Menez’s Preakness Stakes picks, all from the pro who earned a $1,045 payout in last year’s race.