The Preakness Stakes is always one of the biggest and most exciting races of the Triple Crown season. Every year, fans wait to see which horses can handle the pressure on one of racing’s biggest stages. Some runners come in with a lot of attention, while others quietly improve and surprise everyone on race day.
This year’s race feels even more open after a major change on the Triple Crown trail. Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo will skip the Preakness and focus on the Belmont Stakes instead, ending any chance of a Triple Crown run. That decision has made the field much more competitive and gives several overlooked horses a real chance to step into the spotlight.
Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal enters the Preakness Stakes with a perfect three-for-three record, and all of those wins came at Laurel Park. That local experience could give him a real advantage against a field still trying to adjust to the track and race conditions. The colt also brings an impressive pedigree into the race, as he is sired by Nyquist, the former Kentucky Derby winner known for his speed and stamina. His strong recent form has also made him one of the more closely watched horses in early Preakness betting conversations on FanDuel Racing.
This horse gained even more attention after his dominant eight and one-quarter length victory in the Federico Tesio Stakes. This performance quickly turned him into one of the more talked-about contenders in this field. Another major part of Taj Mahal’s appeal is trainer Brittany Russell, who has become one of the rising names in Maryland racing. Her patient handling of the colt has helped him build confidence without rushing his development.
Chip Honcho
Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen made a bold decision by skipping the Kentucky Derby and pointing Chip Honcho directly toward the Preakness Stakes. That move could give the colt an important freshness advantage against rivals coming off demanding prep races and Derby efforts. Asmussen’s experience with top-level horses also adds confidence.
Chip Honcho also gets a boost with jockey Jose Ortiz taking the ride. Ortiz is known for his smart positioning and calm decision-making in high-pressure races, which fits well with Chip Honcho’s tactical running style. The colt has shown the ability to stay close to the pace without needing the lead, giving him flexibility depending on how the race unfolds.
Cherokee Nation
Cherokee Nation entered the racing scene with major expectations after being purchased for $1.15 million as a yearling. That kind of price usually signals strong pedigree, physical talent, and long-term potential, even though success is never guaranteed in horse racing. While his path has not been perfect so far, many bettors and analysts still believe he has the raw ability to compete with the top horses in this year’s Preakness Stakes field.
His sixth-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby may look disappointing on paper, but the race itself was far more complicated. Cherokee Nation dealt with traffic problems and never found a smooth rhythm during key moments, yet he still managed to stay competitive late. Horses coming off troubled trips often become strong bounce-back candidates, especially during the Triple Crown season.
Wild Warrior
Wild Warrior enters the Preakness Stakes as one of the biggest longshots in the field, but he could still be worth watching. Horses with high odds often get ignored by casual bettors. Still, longshots can make a big impact in exactas and trifectas, and Wild Warrior has shown enough lately to make him an interesting sleeper pick.
He caught attention with his second-place finish in the Federico Tesio Stakes. That performance showed he can keep up with stronger competition and still have energy late in the race. If the early pace becomes fast and some favorites tire out, Wild Warrior could take advantage and work his way into the mix during the final stretch.
Napoleon Solo
Napoleon Solo could become one of the most important horses in the Preakness Stakes because of his early speed. He first gained attention with his win in the Champagne Stakes as a two-year-old, and his running style makes him a likely pace setter in this field. Horses that break quickly and control the front can be tough to catch, especially if they are allowed to settle into a comfortable rhythm early in the race.
His speed could also affect how the rest of the field approaches the race. Some jockeys may try to challenge him early, while others could choose to sit back and save energy for later. The biggest question is whether Napoleon Solo can maintain that speed over the full one and three sixteenths mile distance.
Who Could Surprise at the Preakness?
This year’s Preakness Stakes looks more open than usual, which gives several overlooked horses a real chance to step up. Without a Triple Crown run on the line, the pressure around the race feels different. A fast early pace or a clean trip in the right moment could completely change how the race unfolds. Horses that stay patient and handle the pressure late may have the best chance to make a move in the stretch. In a field this competitive, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a long shot become one of the biggest stories of the race.
