You’re probably used to the same old routine. You grab a Black-Eyed Susan cocktail, settle into your favorite chair, and wait for the screen to show those iconic crumbling walls of Pimlico. But 2026 is different. Like, really different. If you show up to Old Hilltop this year looking for the horses, you’re going to find a construction site and a lot of confused pigeons.
Honestly, the biggest thing to wrap your head around isn't just the clock. It's the GPS.
What Time is Post Time for the Preakness in 2026?
The short answer? Mark your calendar for 6:50 PM ET on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
That’s the "official" moment. But if you’ve ever watched horse racing, you know "post time" is more of a polite suggestion than a hard rule. Usually, the horses are still dancing behind the gate at 6:52 PM, and the actual gates fly open closer to 7:00 PM. NBC loves a good montage, so expect plenty of slow-motion replays and tear-jerker stories about trainers before you actually see any dirt flying.
The 151st running of the Preakness Stakes is moving. For the first time ever, the race is shifting from Pimlico to Laurel Park.
Why? Because Pimlico is finally getting the massive, $400 million facelift everyone has been screaming about for decades. They’re basically knocking the whole thing down to build a "reimagined" racing hub. It’s a bit weird, right? Seeing the second jewel of the Triple Crown at a "temporary" home feels like eating a five-star meal on a paper plate, but Laurel Park is a solid track. It’s located in Laurel, Maryland, about halfway between D.C. and Baltimore.
The Full Saturday Schedule (Draft Version)
Don't just tune in at 6:45 PM and expect to be caught up. The day is a marathon.
The gates at Laurel Park will likely open around 9:00 AM. If you're watching from home, the "undercard" races—the ones with less famous horses but just as much gambling drama—start in the late morning.
- Early Coverage: Usually starts on CNBC or Peacock around 2:00 PM ET.
- The Big Show: NBC takes over the main broadcast from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM ET.
- Post Time: That 6:50 PM window we talked about.
Why the 1 3/16 Mile Distance Matters This Year
People always talk about the "two-week turnaround." It’s the shortest gap between any of the Triple Crown races. The horses just ran their hearts out at the Kentucky Derby on May 2nd, and now, 14 days later, they have to do it again.
At 1 3/16 miles, the Preakness is slightly shorter than the Derby. You’d think that makes it easier, but it actually favors horses with "tactical speed." These are the guys who can jump out front early and stay there. At Laurel Park, the track geometry might feel a little different to the jockeys compared to the tight turns of Pimlico, which is something the sharps are already whispering about.
Watching the Race Without a Cable Box
Look, nobody wants to pay for a massive cable package just for two minutes of horse racing.
If you've cut the cord, your best bet is Peacock. NBC streams the whole thing there. You can also find it on the NBC Sports app, but you usually need a login for that. Some people swear by YouTube TV or Fubo, which work great if you're already paying for them.
Just a heads-up: streaming lag is a real thing. If you’re following live odds on an app like FanDuel or TwinSpires, your "live" video feed might be 30 seconds behind the actual race. There is nothing worse than seeing a "Race Over" notification on your phone while the horses are still at the top of the stretch on your TV.
Who is Actually Running?
It’s early, but the names floating around the backstretch are already getting people hyped.
We’re looking at horses like Barnes and Citizen Bull as potential frontrunners. Journalism is another name that’s been popping up in the early prep cycles. But let’s be real—everything changes after the Derby. If the Derby winner is healthy, they’ll show up at Laurel to keep the Triple Crown dream alive. If they’re exhausted or injured, the field opens up to the "new shooters"—horses that skipped the Derby specifically to wait for the Preakness.
The Reality of the Move to Laurel Park
Purists are kind of annoyed about the venue change. I get it. Pimlico is legendary. But have you been to Pimlico lately? Parts of the grandstand have been condemned for years. It was literally falling apart.
Moving the Preakness to Laurel Park for 2026 (and potentially part of 2027) is the only way to save the Maryland racing industry. The Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority is basically trying to modernize a sport that often feels stuck in 1955.
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Laurel is a different beast. It’s got a big, wide turf course and a dirt track that plays pretty fair. It doesn't have the "Crab Cakes and Infield Fest" chaos of Pimlico—at least not yet—but they’re trying to move as much of that energy to Laurel as possible. Expect temporary bleachers, massive hospitality tents, and a lot of logistical "growing pains."
Betting Tips for the Casual Fan
If you're just putting $5 on a horse because you like the name, more power to you. But if you want to be smart about it:
- Check the Weather: If it rains in Maryland in May, the track gets "sloppy." Some horses love it; most hate it.
- Look at the Derby Finishers: Horses that finished 2nd, 3rd, or 4th in the Derby often win the Preakness. They have the talent, but they didn't have the "winning trip" in Louisville.
- The Baffert Factor: Bob Baffert loves the Preakness. He’s won it more than almost anyone. If he’s got a horse in the gate, you ignore them at your own peril.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re planning to engage with the 2026 Preakness, start your prep now so you aren't scrambling in May.
First, download a reputable wagering app like TwinSpires or FanDuel Racing today. Setting up an account and verifying your ID can take a few days, and you don’t want to be doing that five minutes before post time.
Second, check your local listings for the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes on Friday, May 15. It’s the "sister race" to the Preakness and usually gives you a great idea of how the track is playing before the big boys run on Saturday.
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Finally, if you're planning to attend in person, book your hotel in Laurel or Columbia right now. With the move to Laurel Park, the local hotel capacity is going to be stretched way thinner than it usually is in Baltimore.