Preakness Stakes

Race Card

The Preakness Stakes 2026 takes place on May 16 at Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland, with post time at 7:01 PM EDT. The $2,000,000 purse is run over 9.5 furlongs (1.1875 miles) on dirt, serving as the second leg of the American Triple Crown. First run at Pimlico in 1873, it is held at Laurel Park while Pimlico undergoes a historic redevelopment.

The Preakness predates the Kentucky Derby by two years. For generations, the Preakness has been the race where Triple Crown bids are made or broken. Secretariat's 1973 Preakness was so dominant that the official time had to be corrected years later when video evidence showed the clocker had started late. Sunday Silence and Easy Goer staged one of the greatest stretch duels in racing history in the 1989 Preakness, with Sunday Silence prevailing by a nose. More recently, American Pharoah (2015) and Justify (2018) both used the Preakness as the springboard to Triple Crown glory, keeping their unbeaten records intact at the Baltimore race.

The Preakness is defined by its intimacy compared to the Derby. Where Churchill Downs hosts 170,000, the Preakness is a more concentrated affair where the racing itself takes center stage.

For 2026, the Preakness continues at Laurel Park while Pimlico undergoes its massive renovation project. Laurel Park, located between Baltimore and Washington D.C., offers a modern racing surface and a capacity of approximately 10,000. The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes on May 15 at 6:00 PM EDT opens the weekend, with the Preakness Stakes going to post on May 16 at 7:01 PM EDT. The race covers 1.1875 miles (9.5 furlongs) on dirt.

For fans in London, the 7:01 PM EDT post time translates to midnight BST, technically the start of May 17. European viewers on the continent get a 1:01 AM CET start. Australian fans in Melbourne catch the race at 9:01 AM AEST on Sunday morning, a very comfortable time. Japanese viewers in Tokyo get post time at 8:01 AM JST on Sunday. For fans in Dubai, the race falls at 3:01 AM GST, a challenging middle-of-the-night slot.

What makes the Preakness uniquely dramatic is the two-week gap from the Kentucky Derby. The Derby winner must recover and ship to a new track in just 14 days. Some horses thrive on the quick turnaround. Others, exhausted by the effort at Churchill Downs, falter. This tight schedule is what makes the Triple Crown so difficult, and it is why only 13 horses in history have managed to win all three legs. The Preakness is where fatigue, fitness, and heart are tested in equal measure.

The Kentucky Derby winner will arrive at Laurel Park as the center of attention, but history shows that the Preakness regularly produces different results from the Derby. Horses who finished second, third, or fourth at Churchill Downs often turn the tables with the benefit of experience. The shorter distance (by half a furlong) can suit different running styles, and trainers who skipped the Derby to target the Preakness fresh sometimes spring surprises. Watch for the pace scenario to differ significantly from the Derby, as the smaller field size typically produces a more tactical race.

For the current time in Maryland, check Laurel time. For more on US time zones, see United States time.

Venue

Laurel Park in Laurel, USA

Check the time in Laurel

FAQ

When is the Preakness Stakes?

The Preakness Stakes takes place on 2026-05-16 with the first race at 19:01 America/New_York.

What time does the Preakness Stakes start?

The first race at the Preakness Stakes is scheduled for 19:01 America/New_York on 2026-05-16. All post times on this page are converted to your local timezone.

Where is the Preakness Stakes held?

The Preakness Stakes is held at Laurel Park in Laurel, USA.

How many races are at the Preakness Stakes?

The Preakness Stakes features 2 races across 2 days.

How can I watch the Preakness Stakes?

Coverage depends on your country. Check your local racing broadcaster for live coverage. All post times on this page are shown in your local timezone.