Preakness 2026: Date, time and everything you need to know

The Preakness might feel unusual this year, with Pimlico Race Course under renovation. The event will temporarily move to Laurel Park with a limited crowd as Pimlico readies for 2027. Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo will not be in the field, with the horse’s trainers opting to skip the Preakness Stakes to allow Golden Tempo more time to recover after a magical win earlier this month.

Here’s what to know about a unique 2026 Preakness Stakes:

When is the Preakness Stakes?

Gates open at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, and races run into the evening. The post time for the main event, the Preakness Stakes, is approximately 6:50 p.m.

How can I watch the race?

The event will be broadcast on CNBC, NBC and Peacock. CNBC will air undercard coverage from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., with Preakness coverage on NBC beginning at 4 p.m. The Preakness Stakes itself will air on NBC just before 7 p.m.

Where is the Preakness Stakes?

This year’s event won’t take place at the usual Pimlico Race Course because of a $400 million renovation. With Pimlico under construction, horses will compete at Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland.

How will the event be different at Laurel Park?

For starters, in-person attendance is capped at 4,800 two-day tickets. Last year’s Preakness attendance at Pimlico was around 63,000 people over the two days.

The track, of course, will also be in a different location. The race will still span its traditional distance, though, lasting 1 3/16 of a mile. It’s the shortest of the three Triple Crown legs.

The unusual Preakness is planned to last just one year, with the 2027 event scheduled to be at the newly remodeled Pimlico.

What are the entertainment options this year?

On Friday, there will be an outdoor screening of “Secretariat” at Rye Street Park. The movie screening begins at 8 p.m. with a special market opening at 5 p.m. Food and drink will also be available, and admission to the movie is free.

On Sunday, over a dozen horse farms across Maryland will be open for self-guided tours from 11 a.m. through 3 p.m.

On May 14, the traditional Alibi Breakfast takes place at Laurel Park. Trainers and jockeys will share stories as attendees enjoy breakfast and mingle with horse racing experts.

The May 15 schedule includes high-level racing at Laurel Park for Black-Eyed Susan Day. A day later, the Preakness Stakes arrive. From 2-10 p.m. on May 16, Afro-Preak will feature national and local musicians performing at Power Plant Live.

Who’s in the Preakness Stakes field?

We don’t know the full field yet, but the Preakness has a maximum field size of 14. The post position draw will take place on the evening of Monday, May 11.

Golden Tempo, the Kentucky Derby winner, will skip the Preakness. It’s the third Derby winner in the past five years to skip the Preakness, with some trainers choosing to prioritize their horse’s rest and recovery over the chance for a Triple Crown.

What’s a Black-Eyed Susan?

It’s the official state flower of Maryland, of course! If someone mentions it in the lead-up to the Preakness, however, they’re likely referring to the cocktail or Friday’s race. The race is a prelude to the Preakness, featuring 3-year-old fillies (female race horses). The cocktail, a staple of the Preakness, is equal parts bourbon, vodka and peach schnapps. It has orange juice, sour mix, an orange slice and a cherry for garnish.

What should I wear to the Preakness?

Is a Baltimore Sun sports editor really the best person to answer your fashion questions? That’s debatable! But people often wear bright colors and floral patterns to the Preakness. Some wear fancy hats, a trend also seen at the Kentucky Derby and other horse races. Generally, the Preakness is a chance to wear a fun outfit you wouldn’t wear on an ordinary Saturday.

And remember, the event is rain or shine. Check the updated weather forecast before attending, as rain can alter attire decisions.

How can I bet on the Preakness Stakes?

Either use 1/ST BET, the official betting app of the event, or place a wager in-person at Laurel Park. Customers have to be 18 or older to bet on the Preakness.

What’s the weather forecast?

Forecasts more than a week out can hardly be trusted, but current projections call for a high of 79 degrees with partly cloudy skies and light winds. The chance of precipitation is 24%.

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How much money does the winner get?

The total purse this year is $2 million, matching the purse from 2024 and 2025. Standard protocol is 60% goes to the winner and the rest is divided among second-through-fifth-place finishers, with second receiving $400,000, third place netting $220,000 and fourth and fifth getting $120,000 and $60,000, respectively.

What horse holds the record for the fastest time at the Preakness?

In 1973, Secretariat won the Preakness Stakes in 1 minute, 53 seconds (part of a Triple Crown that set course records at all three major races). Initially, Secretariat was clocked at 1:55, a second shy of breaking the previously held record. It wasn’t until June of 2012, when the Maryland Race Commission, having reviewed witness accounts, three-plus hours of personal testimony and 21st-century technology, retroactively awarded Secretariat the record.