The Preakness Stakes is basically the ultimate pressure cooker. Think about it: you’ve got these incredible three-year-old horses who just survived the chaos of the Kentucky Derby, and suddenly, they have exactly 14 days to catch their breath before doing it all over again in Baltimore. It’s brutal. It’s fast. Honestly, it's where Triple Crown dreams usually go to die.
But if you’re planning on heading to the 151st running on May 16, 2026, things are going to look very different.
For the first time in history, the race is packing its bags. Because of a massive $400 million reconstruction project at the legendary Pimlico Race Course, the Preakness Stakes is moving down the road to Laurel Park. It’s a temporary shift, but it’s a big deal for a race that’s been anchored in the same spot since the 1870s.
Why Everyone Is Talking About the 2026 Preakness Stakes
Usually, when we talk about the Preakness, we’re talking about "Old Hilltop." That’s the nickname for Pimlico. It’s charming, it’s historic, and—let’s be real—it was falling apart. The state of Maryland finally pulled the trigger on a total overhaul. They’re tearing down the old grandstands and starting fresh.
While the bulldozers do their thing at Pimlico, Laurel Park steps into the spotlight.
Laurel isn't some backwater track; it’s a premier facility in its own right, located about halfway between Baltimore and Washington D.C. But the vibe will be different. Pimlico is tight. It has those sharp turns that make jockeys sweat. Laurel is a bit roomier, which might actually change how the race is run.
The Basics of the Race
- The Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026.
- The Venue: Laurel Park, Laurel, MD.
- The Distance: 1 3/16 miles (9.5 furlongs).
- The Purse: A cool $2 million.
You’ve probably heard people call this the "Middle Jewel." It’s shorter than the Kentucky Derby (which is 1 1/4 miles) and much shorter than the grueling Belmont Stakes (1 1/2 miles). That 1 3/16-mile distance is a sweet spot. It favors horses with tactical speed—those who can break fast and hold a high cruising speed without gassing out.
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Traditions That Survive the Move
Even though the dirt under the hooves is changing for a year, the Maryland Jockey Club is bringing the pageantry with them. You can't have a Preakness without the Black-Eyed Susans. Fun fact: they aren't actually Black-Eyed Susans. Since those flowers don't bloom in Maryland until June or July, the "blanket" draped over the winner is actually made of yellow Viking poms with their centers painted black. It’s a clever bit of florist magic that’s been around since 1939.
Then there’s the Woodlawn Vase.
This thing is incredible. It was created by Tiffany & Co. in 1860 and is worth roughly $4 million today. It’s easily the most valuable trophy in American sports. During the Civil War, the vase was actually buried in the ground in Kentucky so it wouldn't be melted down for silver. Nowadays, the winner gets a smaller replica to keep because the original is too precious to leave the museum for long.
The Painting of the Weather Vane
At Pimlico, there’s a tradition where a painter climbs up a ladder as soon as the race is official and paints the horse-and-rider weather vane in the colors of the winning owner's silks. Since the 2026 race is at Laurel, expect a creative workaround to keep this tradition alive. It’s one of those "if you know, you know" moments that fans look for every year.
Can Anyone Beat Secretariat?
Let’s talk speed. In horse racing, every second—every fraction of a second—is an eternity.
The benchmark for the Preakness Stakes was set in 1973. You know the name: Secretariat. For decades, there was actually a huge controversy about his time. The electronic timer said 1:54 2/5, but two independent clockers from the Daily Racing Form clocked him at 1:53 2/5. It wasn't until 2012, using modern digital technology, that they officially changed his record to 1:53.00.
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No one has touched it since.
Last year, in 2025, a horse named Journalism won the 150th running in 1:55.47. It was a solid performance, but it shows you just how freakish Secretariat really was. To put it in perspective, here is how some of the fastest winners compare:
- Secretariat (1973): 1:53.00
- Swiss Skydiver (2020): 1:53.28 (One of only six fillies to ever win!)
- Tank's Prospect (1985): 1:53.40
- Louis Quatorze (1996): 1:53.40
- Curlin (2007): 1:53.46
The 2026 race at Laurel Park will be a fascinating data point. Different soil, different turns. Will the new surface be "faster"? We won't know until the gates fly open.
The Strategy: Why the Derby Winner Often Struggles
It is insanely hard to win the Preakness.
If a horse wins the Kentucky Derby, they immediately become the target. Every other trainer in the country starts looking at their horse and thinking, "Okay, how do I trip that guy up?" In the Derby, you have 20 horses. It's a cavalry charge. In the Preakness, the field is usually smaller—around 8 to 10 horses.
With fewer horses, there's nowhere to hide.
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The "new shooters" are the big threat. These are horses that skipped the Derby entirely. They are well-rested, they’ve been training specifically for the Baltimore heat, and they’re facing a Derby winner who is likely exhausted. Since 2000, we’ve seen plenty of Derby winners fall short here, which is why the Triple Crown remains the hardest feat in sports.
What to Expect If You Go
If you’re heading to Laurel for the 2026 Preakness, expect a "boutique" experience compared to the sprawling madness of Pimlico. The infield "fest" will still happen, but the capacity might be tighter.
Tickets for the 2026 event are expected to be hot. We’re talking about a historic "one-year-only" venue for the middle jewel. Prices usually range from about $100 for general admission up to $700+ for the fancy clubhouse seats where the drinks flow like water and the hats are bigger than the horses.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Mark the Calendar: May 16, 2026. If you want to see the 151st running, don't accidentally drive to Baltimore—head to Laurel Park.
- Monitor the "New Shooters": Keep an eye on the horses that finish 4th or 5th in the Derby or skip it entirely. They are statistically your best bet to upset the favorite in the Preakness.
- Book Early: Because Laurel Park has a smaller capacity than Pimlico, hotel rooms in the Laurel/Columbia area will disappear fast.
- Watch the Weather: Maryland in May is unpredictable. A muddy track at the Preakness changes everything, often favoring "mudders" like Exaggerator (2016) who thrived in the slop.
The Preakness is more than just a race; it’s Maryland’s biggest party. Whether it’s at Pimlico or Laurel Park, the roar of the crowd when they turn for home is something you never forget.