Preakness Profile: Iron Honor * The Racing Biz

Preakness Profile: Iron Honor

Morning line fave won the Gotham

The Biz
May 16, 2026

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

Iron Honor looked like one of the top Derby prospects earlier this spring after winning the Gotham Stakes impressively, but his momentum stalled in the Wood Memorial, where he weakened to seventh after pressing the pace. Chad Brown now removes blinkers in hopes of helping the colt relax more effectively early.

The colt is another son of Nyquist, out of an Blame mare named Orencia. That pedigree blends speed, toughness, and stamina. He was expensive at $475,000 as a yearling and showed considerable promise immediately, winning his debut with a flashy 95 Beyer figure.

Iron Honor possesses enough speed to secure favorable position early, and the blinkers change could help him conserve energy for the stretch drive. If he rebounds to his Gotham form, he is capable of making noise at a fair price.

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