2026 Preakness Stakes: Taj Mahal Odds, Picks & Predictions
With the Kentucky Derby in the rearview mirror, all eyes now turn to the Preakness Stakes. As the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes draws not only the finest three-year-old thoroughbreds but also a massive audience of racing enthusiasts and bettors keen to witness history in the making. Throughout this series, our featured horse racing experts will break down their favorite bets for the Run for the Black-eyed Susans, in addition to providing individual horse profiles. Below, we take a look at the current Preakness Stakes odds, post position, and expert advice for Taj Mahal.
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2026 Preakness Stakes Predictions:
- Post Position: 1
- Odds: 5-1
Taj Mahal has never lost, never left Laurel, and never faced a Grade 1 field. Saturday, he does all three at the same time, and the Preakness comes to him. The Nyquist colt is 3-for-3, all on this track, earning his automatic berth with an 81/4-length demolition of the Federico Tesio in April that had connections describing a horse who still had gears when asked. He showed early speed in the Tesio, showed fight in a muddy Miracle Wood, and came out of a bullet five-furlong prep this week fresh. So fresh, in fact, that trained Brittany Russell canceled a scheduled walk the next day. Taj Mahal’s jockey happens to be Sheldon O. Russell, as in husband of Brittany, as well as decorated jockey who loves Laurel Park.
The question is class. His career Beyer tops out at 91, which sits well behind the likely favorites, and he’s never seen a horse like Crude Velocity. But with Golden Tempo skipping and no dominant Derby horse to anchor the market, the field is genuinely wide open.
There’s also history within reach. Not since Deputed Testamony in 1983 has a Maryland-based horse won the Preakness. Also, Brittany Russell winning would make her the first female trainer to capture the Preakness, completing a sweep of all three Triple Crown races by women that began with Jen Antonucci’s 2023 Belmont and Cherie DeVaux's 2026 Kentucky Derby wins.
-Luke Monaldo
Bet: Longshot
2026 Preakness Stakes Post Positions & Odds
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
| 1 | Taj Mahal | Brittany Russell | Sheldon Russell | 5-1 |
| 2 | Ocelli | Whit Beckman | Tyler Gaffalione | 6/1 |
| 3 | Crupper | Donnie Von Hemel | Junior Alvarado | 30/1 |
| 4 | Robusta | Doug O’Neil | Rafael Bejarano | 30-1 |
| 5 | Talkin | Danny Gargan | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 20-1 |
| 6 | Chip Honcho | Steve Asmussen | Jose Ortiz | 5-1 |
| 7 | The Hell We Did | Todd Fincher | Luis Saez | 15-1 |
| 8 | Bull by the Horns | Saffie Joseph Jr. | Micah Husbands | 30-1 |
| 9 | Iron Honor | Chad Brown | Flavien Prat | 9-2 |
| 10 | Napoleon Solo | Chad Summers | Paco Lopez | 8/1 |
| 11 | Corona de Oro | Dallas Stewart | John R. Velazquez | 30-1 |
| 12 | Incredibolt | Jaime Torres | Rilley Mott | 5-1 |
| 13 | Great White | John Ennis | Alex Achard | 15/1 |
| 14 | Pretty Boy Miah | Jeremiah Englehart | Ricardo Santana Jr | 15-1 |
2026 Preakness Stakes Horse Previews, Picks & Predictions
Check out our previews for every horse competing in the 2026 Preakness Stakes and our expert analysis on the best bets for this year's Run for the Black-eyed Susans.
- Taj Mahal
- Ocelli
- Crupper
- Robusta
- Talkin
- Chip Honcho
- The Hell We Did
- Bull by the Horns
- Iron Honor
- Napoleon Solo
- Corona de Oro
- Incredibolt
- Great White
- Pretty Boy Miah
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