The 2026 Preakness Stakes with post time at 7:01 PM EDT on May 16, 2026, is the 151st running of this prestigious horse race for 3-year-old fillies. The 2026 race will take place at Laurel Park in Maryland due to renovations at the traditional venue, Pimlico Race Course, in Baltimore.
The Preakness Stakes is a part of the Triple Crown, and takes place annually in mid-May at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race began in 1873, named after Preakness, the horse that won the Dinner Party Stakes in 1870, the year Pimlico opened.
The Preakness has a rich history, where traditions play a big part in the race’s identity. The winner’s blanket, made of flowers resembling black-eyed Susans (Maryland’s state flower), and the painting of the winner’s colors on the Pimlico weather vane are cherished rituals. These customs, along with the race’s storied past, make the Preakness a highlight of the horse racing calendar.
The Preakness Stakes has undergone several changes throughout its history. For example, the race distance has varied: it started as a 1.5-mile contest but eventually settled into its current 1 3/16-mile length, making it the shortest race in the Triple Crown series.
Over the years, the Preakness has seen remarkable performances. Survivor won the first race by a record margin, a feat only surpassed over a century later by Smarty Jones in 2004. The race was also the stage for African-American jockey George “Spider” Anderson’s historic win in 1889.
In recent years, the Preakness Stakes has also faced challenges and adaptations due to various circumstances, including the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which saw the race rescheduled to October and run without the usual crowds and festivities.
With its historical significance and esteem as the second jewel in the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes continues to be a major annual event for horse racing fans in the US and abroad.
Straight bets are straightforward and ideal for newcomers or more casual horse racing fans:
WIN: Your horse MUST Win
PLACE: Your horse must finish First or Second
SHOW: Your horse must finish First, Second, or Third
Racing fans wanting to watch the Preakness Stakes have several viewing options to choose from.
On Television – NBC broadcasts the Preakness Stakes, available to viewers with a basic television setup. This makes the race accessible to a wide audience.
Streaming Online – For those preferring to stream on a computer or mobile, NBC Sports and the NBC Sports app offer live coverage (iOS & Android). Peacock, NBC’s streaming service will also have coverage of the race for a subscription fee.
Alternative Streaming Options – Streaming services like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and FuboTV include NBC in their offerings. These platforms may offer free trials, potentially allowing viewers to watch the race without additional costs.
Fans of the Preakness Stakes will need to pay attention since Churchill Downs recently purchased the rights to the Preakness intellectual property for $85 million. It is not know publicly if this will include a change of venue for the venerated Run for the Black-Eyed Susans .