The 151st Preakness Stakes takes place on Saturday 16 May 2026 at Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland. The second leg of American horse racing’s Triple Crown, the Preakness is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds run over 1 3/16 miles. This year’s edition is historic: for the first time, the race leaves its traditional home of Pimlico Race Course, which is undergoing a comprehensive rebuild ahead of a planned return in 2027.
What is the Preakness Stakes?
The Preakness Stakes is one of the most prestigious flat races in the world and the middle jewel of the American Triple Crown, sitting between the Kentucky Derby (first Saturday in May) and the Belmont Stakes (June). First run in 1873, it is one of the oldest stakes races in the United States. The race carries a purse of $2 million, with approximately $1.2 million going to the winner. Open exclusively to three-year-old Thoroughbreds, the Preakness is run over 1 3/16 miles (approximately 1.9 kilometres) on dirt, and routinely attracts the top performers from the Kentucky Derby field as connections chase the elusive Triple Crown.
When is the 2026 Preakness Stakes?
The 151st Preakness Stakes is scheduled for Saturday 16 May 2026. The undercard programme begins earlier in the day, with the feature race expected to go to post in the late afternoon, typically around 6:45 to 7:01 p.m. ET. Black-Eyed Susan Day, the traditional companion card featuring top races for fillies and sprinters, takes place the day before on Friday 15 May.
Where is the 2026 Preakness Stakes?
For the first time in its 151-year history, the Preakness Stakes will not be held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Instead, the race moves to Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland, roughly 30 miles south of Pimlico, while the historic venue is demolished and rebuilt. Laurel Park opened in 1911 and sits on 360 acres between Baltimore and Washington D.C. The main dirt track is a one-mile oval with a width of 92 feet. Due to ongoing renovation work at Laurel itself and the inability of its infield to support large crowds, attendance for the 2026 Preakness is capped at just 4,800, a dramatic reduction from the 100,000-plus crowds that Pimlico’s infield festival typically draws. The rebuilt Pimlico is expected to be ready in time for the 2027 Preakness.
Key Contenders
The field for the 2026 Preakness Stakes will be shaped by the Kentucky Derby on 2 May. Historically, the Derby winner and several placed horses ship to Maryland for the second leg, though not every Derby winner contests the Preakness. Journalism, trained by Todd McCarthy and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, won the 150th Preakness in 2025 in what was the final running at the old Pimlico facility. Contenders for the 2026 edition will become clearer following the major spring prep races and the Kentucky Derby itself. Trainer Bob Baffert, the all-time leading Preakness trainer with eight victories, is always one to watch at this stage of the Triple Crown.
How to Watch
In the United States, the Preakness Stakes is broadcast live on NBC, with extended pre-race coverage and analysis. The race is also available to stream on Peacock, NBC’s streaming platform. In the United Kingdom, horse racing fans can typically find coverage on Sky Sports Racing or via specialist racing channels. In Australia, coverage is often available through Racing.com or Sky Racing. For international viewers, wagering platforms such as TVG and TwinSpires provide live streaming to account holders. NBC’s coverage usually begins several hours before post time, with features on contenders, paddock analysis, and coverage of the full undercard.
History and Records
First run on 27 May 1873 at Pimlico Race Course, the Preakness Stakes is named after a colt called Preakness, the winner of the inaugural Dinner Party Stakes at Pimlico in 1870. The race has been held at Pimlico continuously since 1909, making the 2026 move to Laurel Park a genuinely historic occasion. Secretariat holds the stakes record with a time of 1:53, set during his legendary 1973 Triple Crown sweep. Bob Baffert is the most successful trainer in Preakness history with eight wins, surpassing R. Wyndham Walden, who won five consecutive editions between 1878 and 1882. Calumet Farm is the leading owner and breeder with eight winners. Only 13 horses have completed the Triple Crown, most recently Justify in 2018 and American Pharoah in 2015. Six fillies have won the Preakness, with Rachel Alexandra’s victory in 2009 ending an 85-year drought for female runners in the race.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the 2026 Preakness Stakes are available through the official Preakness website and via AXS. Due to the reduced capacity at Laurel Park, attendance is strictly limited to 4,800, making this one of the most exclusive Preakness events in modern history. General admission tickets are priced from around $246, while Turfside Terrace seats are available at $1,698. Given the extremely limited capacity, tickets are expected to sell out well in advance. Secondary market tickets are available through platforms such as StubHub, SeatGeek, and Vivid Seats, though prices on resale sites may be significantly higher than face value.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 Preakness Stakes start?
The 151st Preakness Stakes takes place on Saturday 16 May 2026, with the feature race expected to go to post at approximately 6:45 to 7:01 p.m. ET.
Where is the 2026 Preakness Stakes being held?
Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland, approximately 30 miles south of the race’s traditional home at Pimlico Race Course, which is currently being rebuilt.
How can I watch the Preakness Stakes?
In the US, the Preakness is broadcast live on NBC and streamed on Peacock. In the UK, coverage is typically available on Sky Sports Racing.
Who won the 2025 Preakness Stakes?
Journalism, trained by Todd McCarthy and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, won the 150th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on 17 May 2025.