The Preakness Stakes returns for its 151st running on Saturday, May 16, 2026, with the Triple Crown picture already altered after Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo skipped the race. Fans who normally head to Pimlico in Baltimore will find the event moved to Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland, while Pimlico undergoes renovations. The main event’s post time is set for 6:50 p.m. ET, with plenty of undercard action and national TV coverage earlier in the day.

Despite Golden Tempo’s absence, the Preakness promises speed and drama from a deep 14-horse field. Several top trainers and well-known jockeys are in the mix, and the purse remains stout enough to keep owners and connections fired up. The shift to Laurel Park adds a new twist for trainers who must adapt to a different track layout and surface.

The card will run through the afternoon with undercard races leading up to the headline event, and the official post time for the Preakness is 6:50 p.m. ET. Post times can move slightly depending on how the horses handle entering the starting gate, so expect minor adjustments on race day. For fans planning to attend, gates and on-track festivities will mirror the traditional Preakness energy even with the venue change.

Television coverage begins on NBC at 4 p.m. ET, offering build-up, analysis, and replays before the main race. Streaming viewers can tune in on Peacock, where coverage starts earlier in the day for those who want every race and interview. National broadcast and streaming combined ensure fans across the country can follow the entire Preakness experience.

Pimlico Race Course, the long-time home of the Preakness, first hosted the race in 1873 and carries deep history with the event. This year, renovation work pushes the 2026 running to nearby Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland, with plans to convert Laurel into a training facility while Pimlico is restored. Organizers expect Pimlico to reopen for the 2027 meet, making this a one-year detour for the crown jewel of Baltimore racing.

The field was finalized after Monday’s draw, setting up a competitive lineup of 14 entrants for the Preakness. Only three horses in the field — Incredibolt, Ocelli and Robusta — raced in the Kentucky Derby, meaning most runners are fresh for the shorter Preakness distance. Owners have balanced travel and training plans knowing the Belmont is looming on June 6 for some connections looking beyond Baltimore.

Below is the official program list for the 2026 Preakness, showing each horse and its assigned number for the race. The lineup gives bettors and fans the visual order they’ll see at the gate when the race goes off later in the evening.

1. Taj Mahal
2. Ocelli
3. Crupper
4. Robusta
5. Talkin
6. Chip Honcho
7. The Hell We Did
8. Bull By The Horns
9. Iron Honor
10. Napoleon Solo
11. Corona de Oro
12. Incredibolt
13. Great White
14. Pretty Boy Miah

Odds and post positions were released after the draw, and odds can shift in the hours leading up to the race as money moves. The betting market features a few clear favorites but also several long shots that could upset the apple cart, especially at a new venue like Laurel Park. Knowing jockey and trainer combinations helps frame likely pace scenarios and late kickers in a crowded field.

The total purse for the 2026 Preakness is $2 million, with $1.2 million earmarked for the winner, making it a prized target even without a Triple Crown chase. The victor also takes home a replica of the Woodlawn Vase, a symbolic prize that keeps the Preakness steeped in tradition. Owners, trainers and jockeys will all be aiming for both the money and that piece of history.

Race-day logistics will differ slightly thanks to the Laurel Park setting, so attendees should check ticket, parking and shuttle information ahead of time. Whether you’re watching on NBC, streaming on Peacock, or placing a last-minute bet at the window, the Preakness at Laurel Park should deliver the spectacle, speed and surprises fans expect from mid-May racing.