After a stunning late finish by Golden Tempo in the Run for the Roses, only three Derby runners in Ocelli, Incredibolt, and Robusta will compete in this year’s Laurel Park version of the Preakness Stakes.

New shooters Chip Honcho and Iron Honor were aimed at this race by their top-flight connections and pose a big threat to the Derby returnees. Perhaps the biggest competition for them all is the Laurel-based Taj Mahal from the Brittany Russell barn who romped in the Tesio last time out.

Lacking a true standout but with plenty of talented runners who have not yet shown their best as three-year-olds, this Preakness should offer plenty of value and be an intriguing edition of the 151st running of the Triple Crown’s second jewel.

Who does our ‘capper like, and why? Read on to find out. And how about you — who do you like?

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1. Taj Mahal

• Color / Sex: Bay Colt
  Bred / By: Florida / Vegso Racing Stable
• Sire – Dam (Damsire): Nyquist – Oola Gal, by Quality Road
• Starts-Wins-Places-Shows / Earnings: 3-3-0-0 / $178,200
• Jockey / Trainer: Sheldon Russell / Brittany Russell
• Owner: SF Racing, LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, LLC, Stonestreet Stables, LLC, Bashor Racing, LLC, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital, LLC and Catherine Donovan

The hometown kid puts his unblemished record on the line here as he has won all three of his tries over this track. As the only runner in this field who has experience at Laurel, Taj Mahal showed another gear in his 8 1/4-length Tesio win last time, never truly challenged by a lesser field. Still, as visually impressive as his Tesio was, modest splits and slower final fractions could place him below some others here who have graded experience, and he would need to take another step forward to be a winner. Taj Mahal is unlikely to get the same controlling trip here with others who have shown more early speed in their careers and could make things difficult in the first half mile. In a field with no clear standout where others have as many questions as answers though, this Brittany Russell trainee has as good a chance as any to finish in the mix. 

Key Prep Races

• 4/18/2026 | Federico Tesio Stakes | 9f | 152.92 | Finish: 1 | Field: 10

• 2/21/2026 | Miracle Wood S. | 8f | 139.47 | Finish: 1 | Field: 6

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2. Ocelli (6-1)

• Owner: Ashley Durr, Anthony Tate, Front Page Stables
• Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
• Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman
• Record: 7 starts — 0 wins, 1 second, 4 thirds
• Earnings: $609,800

The most experienced runner of the bunch, Ocelli has run seven tries and has yet to pick up a win. After strong late rallies in his first two maidens, this colt added blinkers in his next three, including the Sam F. Davis and Virginia Derby where he didn’t finish as strongly with slightly more forward trips. After an equipment change in the Wood Memorial, Ocelli returned to his deep closing style where he came from well off the lead into third, barely giving him enough Derby points to qualify as an also eligible. With some late scratches, this colt reached the gate as the second to last runner in and made a late charge from seventeenth into first with one sixteenth remaining. While he didn’t get his Rich Strike moment as he was passed by the top two finishers late, Ocelli was leading at Preakness distance of a mile and three-sixteenths and has a real chance to get another quick pace set up here. With recent Pimlico Preaknesses typically favoring speed horses, perhaps Laurel will be more kind to Ocelli who has as strong a closing kick as any here and can’t be ignored this time around. 

Key Prep Races

• 5/2/2026 | Kentucky Derby| 10f | 202.27 | Finish: 3 | Field: 18

• 4/4/2026 | Wood Memorial | 9f | 151.71 | Finish: 3 | Field: 12

• 3/14/2026 | Virginia Derby | 9f | 147.76 | Finish: 6 | Field: 10

• 2/7/2026 | Sam F. Davis S. | 8.5f | 143.54 | Finish: 6 | Field: 9

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3. Crupper (30-1)

• Color / Sex: Bay Colt
• Bred / By: Kentucky / Robert H. Zoellner
• Sire – Dam (Damsire): Candy Ride (ARG) – She’s All In, by Include
• Starts-Wins-Places-Shows / Earnings: 6-2-0-3 / $210,665
• Jockey / Trainer: Junior Alvarado / Donnie K. Von Hemmel
• Owner: Robert H. Zoellner

Running primarily at Oaklawn, Crupper took four tries to break his maiden, showing gradual improvement in every race. After a solid show in an optional claimer, he was entered in the nine-furlong Bath House Row Stakes at Oaklawn where he broke well and grabbed the lead after a half-mile. Crupper held off oncoming challengers throughout and picked up his signature win en route to this race. Clearly his best effort, there would still need to be improvement from that try where the fractions remained modest. Others in this field have shown more top-end races, and it is unlikely that Crupper will get a similar trip this time around. A clear step forward is necessary to finish in the mix here. 

Key Prep Races

• 4/18/2026 | Bathhouse Row S. | 9f | 150.89 | Finish: 1 | Field: 8

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4. Robusta (30-1)

• Color / Sex: Dark Bay or Brown Colt
• Bred / By: Kentucky / Calumet Farm
• Sire – Dam (Damsire): Accelerate – Urbane Legend, by Into Mischief
• Starts-Wins-Places-Shows / Earnings: 6-1-1-0 / $83,500
• Jockey / Trainer: Rafael Bejarano / Doug O’Neill
• Owner: Calumet Farm

This California-based colt broke his maiden in his first try as a three-year-old and second lifetime effort. Stepping up into the Robert B. Lewis, Robusta remained a big longshot and never factored in, but continued on the Derby trail in the San Felipe. At 67/1, this colt ran his best race, pressing an honest early pace and then taking the lead, only to be caught late. Despite fading heavily in the Santa Anita Derby, Robusta snuck into the Kentucky Derby as an also eligible where he went off at 70/1 and never threatened. With plenty of graded tries this year against good competition, this O’Neill trainee has failed to distinguish himself from his peers and has too many flat efforts to be considered a win contender. Even a return to his San Felipe may still not be enough, as others have shown far more consistency with top efforts that are better than Robusta’s best thus far.

Key Prep Races

• 5/2/2026 | Kentucky Derby| 10f | 202.27 | Finish: 14 | Field: 18

• 4/4/2026 | Santa Anita Derby | 9f | 149.01 | Finish: 7 | Field: 7

• 3/7/2026 | San Felipe S. | 8.5f | 142.92 | Finish: 2 | Field: 7

• 2/7/2026 | Robert B. Lewis S. | 8f | 137.02 | Finish: 6 | Field: 7

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5. Talkin (30-1)

• Color / Sex: Bay Colt
• Bred / By: Kentucky / Fifth Avenue Bloodstock
• Sire – Dam (Damsire): Good Magic – Rote, by Tiznow
• Starts-Wins-Places-Shows / Earnings: 5-1-1-1 / $288,625
• Jockey / Trainer: Irad Ortiz Jr. / Danny Gargan
• Owner: Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Pine Racing Stables, Legendary Thoroughbreds, Belmar Racing and Breeding, LLC and R. A. Hill Stable

This Danny Gargan trainee broke his maiden at first asking at Saratoga and has since kept top company with four straight graded tries. Running in points races, Talkin was never aimed at the Derby and instead has targeted this race after a distant third by twelve and three-quarters in the Blue Grass last time out. With his lone win in his debut, this colt hasn’t run well in graded company this year and routinely fades in the late stretch. Talkin’s stalking running style hasn’t allowed him to adjust to added distance, so a less aggressive approach may be a must for him to finish stronger at this nine and a half furlong route. Getting Irad Ortiz in the irons certainly should help, but without a clear step forward and change in running style, Talkin remains a cut below the top runners here and needs a unique scenario to finish well.

Key Prep Races

• 4/4/2026 | Blue Grass Stakes | 9f | 149.58 | Finish: 3 | Field: 7

• 3/7/2026 | Tampa Bay Derby | 8.5f | 143.23 | Finish: 5 | Field: 9

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6. Chip Honcho (5-1)

• Color / Sex: Dark Bay or Brown Colt
• Bred / By: Kentucky / Venneri Racing Inc. & Tony Fanticola
• Sire – Dam (Damsire): Connect – Miss My Rose, by Magician(IRE)
• Starts-Wins-Places-Shows / Earnings: 6-2-2-0 / $280,475
• Jockey / Trainer: Jose Ortiz / Steve Asmussen
• Owner: Leland Ackerley Racing, LLC, James Sherwood, Jude Shupe, and John Cilia

Chip Honcho broke his maiden over a sloppy track at Churchill in November, and followed that up with another win in December in the Gun Runner Stakes at the Fair Grounds. Typically forwardly placed, this colt was unable to win in three tries this year as he competed in all four Fair Grounds points races. After a strong second in the Risen Star where he finished ahead of eventual Derby winner Golden Tempo, Chip Honcho got caught up in a quicker pace in the Louisiana Derby and faded to a distant fifth. Even with enough Derby points to qualify, trainer Steve Asmussen held him out of the Run for the Roses and aimed this colt here. His Risen Star is one of the stronger efforts of anyone in this field, but distance questions remain if he employs his usual aggressive running style here. While a win wouldn’t be shocking with some improvement and control over slower early fractions, a potentially crowded front end puts Chip Honcho at a disadvantage against a larger Preakness field.

Key Prep Races

• 3/21/2026 | Louisiana Derby-G2 | 9.5f | 155.18 | Finish: 5 | Field: 9

• 2/14/2026 | Risen Star-G2 | 9f | 149.14 | Finish: 2 | Field: 8

• 1/17/2026 | Lecomte-G3 | 8.5f | 144.98 | Finish: 4 | Field: 10

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7. The Hell We Did

• Color / Sex: Bay Colt
• Bred / By: Kentucky / Joe R. Peacock Jr.
• Sire – Dam (Damsire): Authentic – Rose’s Desert, by Desert God
• Starts-Wins-Places-Shows / Earnings: 4-2-2-0 / $134,818
• Jockey / Trainer: Luis Saez / Todd W. FIncher
• Owner: Peacock Family Racing Stable LLC

Beginning with three straight six-furlong tries, The Hell We Did finally broke through in a dominant 13-length win at Sunland Park after a layoff into his three-year-old season. He was then stretched out to the mile and one sixteenth Lexington at Keeneland where he sat behind Corona de Oro from the jump, and was able to pass him in the stretch only to be caught by the longshot winner. While it may be difficult to forecast how his Lexington form will translate to this race, holding on for a place finish shows that the distance wasn’t too much to handle, even if he adds a furlong here. Already winning from off the lead in his career, albeit at six furlongs, this one may join Corona de Oro as ones who could be held back early to adjust to the added ground. Even with a change in strategy, The Hell We Did would need to put forth a career best effort as he steps further up in class. 

Key Prep Races

• 4/11/2026 | Lexington-G3 | 8.5f | 144.51 | Finish: 2 | Field: 9

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8. Bull by the Horns (30-1)

• Color / Sex: Grey or Roan Colt
• Bred / By: Kentucky / Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stables
• Sire – Dam (Damsire): Essential Quality – No Sweat, by Blame
• Starts-Wins-Places-Shows / Earnings: 5-2-0-2 / $187,115
• Jockey / Trainer: Micah Husbands / Saffie Joseph
• Owner: Peachtree Stable and Mark Corrado

Breaking his maiden second time out by 6 1/2 lengths at Gulfstream, this Saffie Joseph trainee stepped up into an optional claimer where he never truly threatened, finishing third by 3 1/4. He was then asked to take a major step up in class into the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth where he looked overmatched at 88/1 and finished nearly twenty lengths behind the winner. Then off the Derby trail, this colt moved to Turfway where he closed from last in a seven-horse field to win the Rushaway Stakes by half a length. Even with that recent effort, this colt remains below the top contenders and would need to show considerable improvement in his form and speed figures to factor in here. With that being said, a crowded early pace could set up for a stronger than expected finish for this longshot, but there are still better late finishing options to consider at this moment.

Key Prep Races

• 3/21/2026 | Rushaway S. | 8.5f | 145.76 | Finish: 1 | Field: 7

• 2/28/2026 | Fountain of Youth-G2 | 8.5f | 143.33 | Finish: 7 | Field: 9

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9. Iron Honor (9-2)

• Color / Sex: Bay Colt
• Bred / By: Kentucky / Mike Freeny & Pat Freeny
• Sire – Dam (Damsire): Nyquist – Orencia, by Blame
• Starts-Wins-Places-Shows / Earnings: 3-2-0-0 / $229,250
• Jockey / Trainer: Flavian Prat / Chad Brown
• Owner: St. Elias Stable, William H. Lawrence, and Glassman Racing

Still lightly raced with just three starts, Iron Honor won the Gotham Stakes in his second try and obtained enough Derby points to qualify for Churchill. Chad Brown ran him back in the Wood Memorial where he disappointed as the favorite, coming up empty in the stretch despite good positioning. Brown then held him out of the Derby to try the Preakness, a move which has worked twice for him in the past with Cloud Computing in 2017 and Early Voting in 2022. Iron Honor starts as the lukewarm morning line favorite at 9/2, which may not be great value for a colt that hasn’t proven to be better than the rest here. His upside remains high with a near half a million dollar pricetag, but he would still need to show more to be a winner at this distance if new jockey Flavien Prat pushes him closer to the lead. 

Key Prep Races

• 4/4/2026 | Wood Memorial-G2 | 9f | 151.71 | Finish: 7 | Field: 12

• 2/28/2026 | Gotham S.-G3 | 8f | 137.94 | Finish: 1 | Field: 8

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10. Napoleon Solo (8-1)

• Color / Sex: Grey or Roan Colt
• Bred / By: Kentucky / John D. Gunther & Eurowest Bloodstock
• Sire – Dam (Damsire): Liam’s Map – Atomic Blonde, by Scat Daddy
• Starts-Wins-Places-Shows / Earnings: 4-2-0-0 / $360,520
• Jockey / Trainer: Paco Lopez / Chad Summers
• Owner: Gold Square LLC

A dominant winner in his first two tries as a two-year-old including the Grade I Champagne, Napoleon Solo looked primed for big things on the Derby trail this year. Unfortunately, he was unable to carry his impressive Champagne form into the Fountain of Youth and Wood Memorial, fading into fifth in both tries. After setting a blistering 44 ⅕ half mile in the Champagne, Napoleon Solo has remained close to the front end but has not improved with added ground. While others in here may need to take back to get the distance, Napoleon has not yet shown that he can run well from off the pace and may need to continue his aggressive ways to stay involved. Even if he doesn’t win, this colt could push the leaders into quicker than expected fractions, setting the race up for a late finisher. A return to his two-year-old form makes him one of the more talented runners in this field, but at this distance and with disappointing efforts this year, others appear more trustworthy at the moment to finish in the top grouping. 

Key Prep Races

• 4/4/2026 | Wood Memorial-G2 | 9f | 151.71 | Finish: 5 | Field: 12

• 2/28/2026 | Fountain of Youth-G2 | 8.5f | 143.33 | Finish: 5 | Field: 9

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11. Corona de Oro (30-1)

• Color / Sex: Bay Colt
• Bred / By: Kentucky / Willow Oaks Stable, LLC
• Sire – Dam (Damsire): Bolt d’Oro, Lemon de Oro, by Lemon Drop Kid
• Starts-Wins-Places-Shows / Earnings: 5-1-1-2 / $92,540
• Jockey / Trainer: John Velazquez / Dallas Stewart
• Owner: On Our Own Stable, LLC, Commonwealth Stable, U Racing Stables, LLC, Saints or Sinners, Titletown Racing, LLC, Jim Nichols, Edwin S. Barker, Daniel Rivers, John Haines, and Dallas Stewart

A slow starter as a two-year-old, this colt showed clear improvement this year with back-to-back quality efforts in maiden tries including a convincing win in his fourth start. Clearly running better when pushed to the lead, Corona de Oro was entered in the Lexington where he set honest fractions and eventually gave way to the top two finishers. With others here who also prefer to be forwardly placed, continued improvement is a must to have winning chances with an extra furlong here. Distance questions may remain if new jockey John Velazquez employs a forward running style, so a mid-pack trip may be his best bet to end up in the money even if he remains an outside longshot with the always dangerous Dallas Stewart.

Key Prep Races

• 4/11/2026 | Lexington S.-G3 | 8.5f | 144.51 | Finish: 3 | Field: 9

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12. Incredibolt (5-1)

• Color / Sex: Dark Bay or Brown Colt
• Bred / By: Kentucky / Deann Baer & Greg Baer DVM
• Sire – Dam (Damsire): Bolt d’Oro – Sapphire Spitfire, by Awesome Again
• Starts-Wins-Places-Shows / Earnings: 6-3-0-0 / $498,681
• Jockey / Trainer: Jaime Torres / Riley Mott
• Owner: Pin Oak Stud LLC

A late entry into this field, Incredibolt started off his career strongly as a two-year-old particularly in his efforts at Churchill Downs. A winner of the Grade 3 Street Sense Stakes in October, this colt faltered in his first start at three in the Holy Bull, only to dominate an unproven Virginia Derby field in his next try. That win put him in the Kentucky Derby, where he ran on well to finish sixth by four lengths after passing tiring horses in the stretch. Incredibolt should be sitting somewhere in mid pack early which could give him an advantage here with many who prefer to be on the lead or in stalking positions. Returning jockey Jaime Torres also won the Preakness two years ago on Seize the Grey and has guided Incredibolt in all six of his career starts. If this colt runs his best and gets the right set up, he has to be considered a top win candidate in this wide-open field.

Key Prep Races

• 5/2/2026 | Kentucky Derby| 10f | 202.27 | Finish: 6 | Field: 18

• 3/14/2026 | Virginia Derby | 9f | 147.76 | Finish: 1 | Field: 10

• 1/31/2026 | Holy Bull S. | 8.5f | 144.52 | Finish: 6 | Field: 6

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13. Great White (15-1)

• Color / Sex: Grey or Roan Gelding
• Bred / By: Kentucky / Stud TNT LLC
• Sire – Dam (Damsire): Volatile – Kelly Bag, by Uncle Mo
• Starts-Wins-Places-Shows / Earnings: 4-2-0-0 / $202,495
• Jockey / Trainer: Alex Achard / John Ennis
• Owner: Three Chimneys Farm and John Ennis

In four career tries, Great White has alternated between wins and lesser performances with a victory in his debut and another in Turfway’s Battaglia Memorial. With a variety of running styles and early positioning, Great White tried to take them gate-to-wire in the Blue Grass but didn’t have the stamina and weakened to finish a distant fifth. This colt was then moments from reaching the Derby as an also-eligible but tossed his rider and rolled over and was scratched by the track vet. Even as he was taking more money than expected prior to his scratching, it would have been difficult to see how this gelding would have fared well in the Derby if he ran similar to his Blue Grass. Perhaps returning to an off-the-pace style will suit Great White best here, but he still needs to take a clear step forward from his top efforts to have any chances in this spot.

2026 Prep Races

• 4/4/2026 | Blue Grass Stakes | 9f | 149.58 | Finish: 5 | Field: 7

• 2/21/2026 | John Battaglia Memorial | 8.5f | 146.83 | Finish: 1 | Field: 11

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14. Pretty Boy Miah (15-1)

• Color / Sex: Dark Bay or Brown Gelding
• Bred / By: Kentucky / Thoroughbred by Design
• Sire – Dam (Damsire): Beau Liam – Tryingtolookpretty, by Mineshaft
• Starts-Wins-Places-Shows / Earnings: 4-2-1-0 / $95,800
• Jockey / Trainer: Ricardo Santana Jr. / Jeremiah Englehart
• Owner: Team Penney Racing, Echo Racing, Flower City Racing LLC, Anthony Bruno, and Christopher J. Meyer

The lone entry who has yet to compete in stakes company, this gelding has run exclusively at Aqueduct and is trending in the right direction in four starts. Stretching out to eight furlongs last time, Pretty Boy Miah was up on an honest pace and pulled away late as the post time favorite. Clearly having more in the tank there, the distance may not be an issue, but this is still a big ask to step up into this level. Running primarily as a stalker, the early pace is vital for Pretty Boy Miah’s performance, as any quicker pace will likely hurt his chances of running well with added ground. With this race being at Laurel, the outside post may prove to be an issue, as the run up to the first turn is far shorter than at Pimlico and makes a sharp break necessary for good early positioning. At the least though, this is one that could be getting better at the right time with some upside and faces an overall weaker Preakness field with many who have not separated themselves from the rest.

Key Prep Races

• 4/25/2026 | Soc 75000N1X | 8f | 136.96 | Finish: 1 | Field: 6

THE PICKS

1. #12 Incredibolt (5-1) – Exploded through the lane to win the Virginia Derby and stuck with it fine at long odds in Louisville; could sit the right trip
2. #2 Ocelli (6-1) – Will be running at the end and enters off a giant effort in the Kentucky Derby, but that pesky zero in the win column is troubling
3. #7 The Hell We Did (15-1) – First try around two turns wasn’t bad
4. #14 Pretty Boy Miah (15-1) – Gets major class test in first two-turn outing