2026 Preakness Stakes predictions: Iron Honor and more

The 2026 Preakness Stakes will feature notable horses such as Iron Honor, Taj Mahal, and Incredibolt, as horse racing expert Jody Demling shared his insights on the upcoming race. The Preakness, scheduled for May 15, 2026, promises exciting competition with familial bonds playing a role in the race.

Trainer Brittany Russell will make her Preakness debut, saddling Taj Mahal, who will be ridden by her husband, Sheldon Russell. This marks Brittany's first experience in this high-profile event, while Sheldon, making his fourth appearance, seeks his first win. Taj Mahal is positioned with odds of 5-1, while his half-brother Iron Honor stands at 9-2, making him the morning-line favorite.

Jose Ortiz, the Derby winner aboard Golden Tempo, will ride Chip Honcho, another contender with odds of 5-1, for trainer Steve Asmussen. Demling, regarded as a fixture in the horse racing community, accurately predicted the top three finishers in the 2025 Kentucky Derby and has called 11 of the last 21 Preakness winners, including the 2023 winner. His seasoned perspective adds weight to his predictions for the 2026 race.

In his analysis, Demling places importance on familiarity with the track as a significant factor. He notes that although Taj Mahal boasts a perfect record of three wins at Laurel Park, his competition level raises questions, suggesting it might hinder his potential top-three finish in the Preakness.

Demling's evaluation also covers Iron Honor, who after winning his first two outings, finished seventh in the Wood Memorial. Trainer Chad Brown has made adjustments for this event, such as removing blinkers for the first time, hoping for an improved performance compared to Iron Honor's sire, Nyquist, who finished third at the 2016 Preakness after winning the Derby.

Incredibolt, rated at 5-1, is another intriguing competitor, having placed sixth in the Kentucky Derby after previously winning two out of his last four races. While he encountered difficulties in Derby traffic, he showcased resilience by rallying from last to his sixth place finish.

With expert predictions and compelling storylines, the 2026 Preakness Stakes is highly anticipated within the horse racing world.