You can’t talk about the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown without mentioning the white-haired wizard of horse racing. Honestly, Bob Baffert and the Preakness go together like crab cakes and Old Bay. It’s just part of the scenery at this point. As we look toward the 2026 Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park—yeah, you heard that right, a change of scenery for the old race—everyone is asking the same thing: which "Baffert" is going to show up and ruin the party for everyone else?
He’s already got eight of these trophies. Eight. That’s a record that makes other Hall of Fame trainers look like they’re just starting out.
Last year, Baffert brought a horse called Goal Oriented to the dance. People were skeptical because the colt was super lightly raced, but Baffert doesn’t just show up for the free lunch. Goal Oriented ended up running a massive fourth after getting squeezed in the stretch. It wasn't the win Baffert wanted, but it proved his "second-stringers" are usually better than most people’s superstars. Now, for the 2026 Preakness Stakes Bob Baffert entries, the barn is loaded again.
The New Crop: Who’s Heading to Laurel?
If you follow the "Road to the Kentucky Derby," you know the Baffert barn usually splits its talent. Some stay in California, some go to Arkansas, and some are saved specifically for Baltimore.
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The name on everyone's lips right now is Nysos. He was a monster at two, but he’s the kind of horse that screams "Preakness winner." Baffert has this uncanny ability to take a horse that might have found the 1 1/4 miles of the Derby a bit too long and turn them into a 1 3/16-mile machine. Then there is Citizen Bull, another heavy hitter from the stable who didn't love the mud at Churchill last year but has the speed to dominate on a fast track.
Baffert entries aren't just about speed, though. They’re about tactical brilliance.
- The Preparation: Baffert’s horses often skip the Derby or come in fresh if they didn't get the points. Freshness is a huge advantage when the rest of the field is exhausted from the Louisville grind.
- The Jockey Choice: You’ll almost always see Flavien Prat or Johnny Velazquez in the irons. Baffert sticks with winners.
- The "Baffert Bounce": His horses tend to run better in their second start of the spring. It's a pattern that has repeated for decades.
Why the Preakness is Baffert’s Comfort Zone
Baltimore is different from Louisville. It’s less of a circus. The track at Pimlico—and now the temporary move to Laurel for 2026—historically rewards horses that can sit right off the lead and pounce. That is the Baffert blueprint. Think back to National Treasure in 2023. He wasn't the favorite. He wasn't the "buzz" horse. But Baffert knew he could control the pace, and he did exactly that to win his record-breaking eighth Preakness.
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People love to hate him, but you can’t ignore the stats. Since Silver Charm in 1997, he’s been the most consistent factor in the Triple Crown.
Some folks think the move to Laurel Park for 2026 might throw a wrench in the gears. Don't bet on it. A dirt track is a dirt track to a Baffert horse. Whether it’s the tight turns of Pimlico or the slightly different configuration at Laurel, his training style—which emphasizes high-cruising speed—is universal.
What to Watch for in the Entries
When the official Preakness Stakes Bob Baffert entries are announced a few days before the race, look at the "work tabs." Baffert is a "morning line" guy. If a horse is working bullets (the fastest time of the day) at Santa Anita before shipping east, that’s your signal.
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He’s got a few "new" faces this year like So Happy, who just took down the San Vicente in January. While everyone is obsessing over Derby points, Baffert is often playing the long game, looking for the horse that fits the 9.5-furlong distance perfectly.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're planning on putting money down or just want to sound smart at your Preakness party, keep these three things in mind:
- Check the "Derby Scratches": Baffert often has horses that are "all dressed up with nowhere to go" if they don't make the Derby gate. These are the most dangerous horses in the Preakness field.
- The Speed Figure Factor: Look for horses with an Equibase Speed Figure over 105. Baffert’s winners usually hit that mark in their prep races.
- Don't Overlook the "Longshots": Even Baffert’s 10-1 shots have a better chance than most trainers' favorites because they come from a program that demands elite fitness.
The 2026 race is going to be historic because of the venue change, but the story will likely remain the same: everyone else is chasing the white hair and the speed horses from the West Coast.
To stay ahead of the curve, start tracking the Santa Anita morning workouts for Baffert’s three-year-old roster. Pay close attention to any horse that skips the final round of Derby preps in April, as they are likely being "pointed" specifically for the Baltimore classic.