Preakness Stakes 2026 Video Recap

In this horse racing video, I recap the 2026 Preakness Stakes. 

The 151st Preakness Stakes was held at Laurel Park on Saturday, May 16, 2026. 

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.       

Preakness Stakes 2026 Collaboration Video

In this horse racing video, The Runaway Horse and Trackside Profits team up to analyze the 2026 Preakness Stakes. 

The 151st Preakness Stakes will be held at Laurel Park on Saturday, May 16, 2026. 

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.      

Preakness Stakes 2026 Analysis at Laurel Park

The 2026 Preakness Stakes takes place at Laurel Park this year while Pimlico undergoes construction, and this year’s edition shapes up as a fascinating pace and trip handicap. Using the numbers and pace figures from the Digest past performances, I’m looking for the horses most likely to capitalize on what should be an aggressive early pace.

This is my hometown race, and I’ve been following the Preakness since 1980. I’ve covered full Preakness Day cards online since the 1990s, and this race often rewards horses that can adapt to pace pressure while still finishing strongly in the final furlong.

Pace Makes the Race

This year’s Preakness projects to feature a contested early pace with several runners preferring to race forwardly placed. That dynamic could dramatically influence the outcome.

Horse	Running Style	Key Figure
Taj Mahal	Front Runner	152 Pace Rating
Napoleon Solo	Speed	180 Pace Rating
Pretty Boy Miah	Forwardly Placed	Back-to-back 143 FTRs
Chip Honcho	Pressing Style	132 Final Time Rating
Incredibolt	Closer	152 Final Time Rating

Horse-by-Horse Analysis

1 – Taj Mahal (5-1)

Taj Mahal improved his Digest numbers in each career start and earned a strong 149 Final Time Rating winning the Tesio Stakes. He blasted out to the early lead despite an outside draw, slowed the pace in the middle stages, and then kicked away again.

From the rail, he figures to go forward again, but unlike the Tesio, he probably won’t get away with relaxing through soft interior fractions. With other speed signed on, the pace pressure should be significantly tougher this time.

2 – Ocelli (6-1)

Ocelli is still a maiden after seven starts, but he outran massive odds in the Kentucky Derby when finishing third at 70-1. He rallied effectively into a collapsing pace and briefly threatened in the stretch before flattening late.

The projected setup helps him again because multiple pace horses should ensure legitimate fractions. The concern is whether he can reproduce that Derby effort while still seeking his first win.

Bettor’s Edge

Closers become far more dangerous in Triple Crown races when several speed horses are committed early. Identifying the likely pace flow is often more important than simply comparing final speed figures.

3 – Crupper (30-1)

Crupper wired the Bath House Row Stakes at Oaklawn and secured his spot here with that victory. His 134 Final Time Rating was respectable, but his 117 Pace Rating suggests he benefited from softer early fractions than he’ll likely encounter in this race.

To stay involved here, he’ll need to show significantly more speed in the opening stages.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Dinner Party Stakes 2026 Analysis

The Grade 3 Dinner Party Stakes shifts to Laurel Park this year while Pimlico undergoes construction, and this turf route drew an interesting mix of proven stakes veterans and improving runners heading into Preakness Saturday. From a handicapping perspective, this race offers a nice blend of established class, current form, and tactical versatility.

The past performance data referenced in this analysis is provided by Today’s Racing Digest.

Meet the Field

Post	Horse	Overview
1	What Say Thee	Draws the rail and should work out a ground-saving trip.
2	Thundering	Comes off solid turf route efforts at Tampa Bay Downs.
3	Cruise the Nile	Sharp Graham Motion trainee riding a four-race winning streak.
4	Fort Washington	Defending Dinner Party winner trying to regain top form.
5	A Bourbon for Toby	Rapidly improving runner stepping into stakes company.
6	Dresden Row	Ultra-consistent stakes performer with tactical versatility.
7	Harrow	Faces a class test after allowance company.

Horse-by-Horse Analysis

What Say Thee

This runner earned a strong 140 Final Time Rating last out at Laurel Park, but that effort came against optional claiming company. The positive is that he already proved he can handle this turf course, and from the inside post he should secure a favorable trip. The challenge will be stepping up against tougher graded stakes competition.

Thundering

Thundering enters this race off back-to-back 126 Final Time Ratings at Tampa Bay Downs. He won two starts back before finishing second in another turf route. While consistent, he’ll need to improve his numbers against this deeper field.

Pro Insight

In turf stakes races at Laurel Park, tactical positioning can become critical. Horses capable of sitting close without needing the lead often gain a major advantage turning for home.

Cruise the Nile

Cruise the Nile is clearly one of the major contenders. The Graham Motion trainee earned a 140 Final Time Rating in his most recent start while removing lasix and winning at one mile over the Laurel turf course. That performance extended his winning streak to four races.

What stands out most is his current form cycle. He continues moving forward while already proving he can handle the local surface. Even though his latest stakes win was not graded company, the consistency and improving profile make him a dangerous runner here.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Black-Eyed Susan Stakes 2026 Analysis (5-15-26)

The Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes goes as Race 13 at Laurel Park on Friday, May 15, and this year’s renewal drew an interesting field of developing three-year-old fillies going 1 1/8 miles on the main track. With a $300,000 purse on the line, this race gives several improving runners a chance to take a major step forward in the division.

The scheduled post time is 6:14 p.m. Eastern, and the past performance data referenced throughout this analysis is provided by Today’s Racing Digest.

Meet the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes Field

#1 Miss Fulton Gal (30-1)

Miss Fulton Gal enters at 30-1 on the morning line after finishing fourth in the Weber City Miss Stakes, missing third by only a head. She should save ground from the rail and work out a stalking trip behind the speed, but she will need a significant jump forward in her speed figures to threaten this group late.

#2 Ivy Girl (15-1)

Ivy Girl rallied from last to first in the Weber City Miss after employing the same successful closing style in a prior stakes victory at Parx. She clearly benefits from fast pace scenarios and a fair racing surface that rewards late runners. The key question is whether this race shape sets up favorably for another deep-closing effort.

#3 Holly’s Holiday (6-1)

Holly’s Holiday has improved dramatically from two poor starts last season to a perfect two-for-two campaign this year. She dead-heated in a maiden special weight at Oaklawn before winning a non-graded stakes event at one mile at attractive odds. She owns tactical speed, draws well in post three, and picks up Flavien Prat.

#4 Savor It (30-1)

Savor It exits a solid win at Parx going one mile, but this represents a major class hike. She has enough early speed to be involved early, although she looks up against it against this deeper field.

#5 Braken Poppa (7-2)

Braken Poppa is an intriguing Louisiana-bred making her first start against open company. She is four-for-five overall and undefeated this year after dominating back-to-back Louisiana-bred stakes races. Jose Ortiz retains the mount, and her positional speed should allow her to secure a favorable trip near the front.

#6 Haute Diva (15-1)

Haute Diva won the Cash Run Stakes at Gulfstream earlier this year but failed to fire in her last two graded stakes attempts. She will need a major rebound performance after disappointing efforts in both the Davona Dale and Gulfstream Park Oaks.

#7 Jumping the Gun (3-1)

Jumping the Gun has hit the board in all six career starts, but her strongest races came sprinting. She finished third in the Weber City Miss in her return from a layoff and may eventually prove more effective cutting back in distance.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Pimlico Special 2026 Analysis (5-15-26)

The Grade 3 Pimlico Special headlines the Friday, May 15 card at Laurel Park as race 12, featuring a $250,000 purse for older runners going 1 3/16 miles on the main track. Scheduled post time is 5:37 p.m. Eastern, and this year’s edition brings together an interesting mix of tactical speed, proven graded stakes runners, and horses trying to prove themselves at the distance.

The past performance data referenced throughout this analysis comes from data available at Today’s Racing Digest.

Meet the Field

1. Maclean’s Rook (4-1)

Maclean’s Rook exits a victory at Colonial Downs at a mile and a sixteenth against optional claiming company. He has won twice at Laurel Park, but this is a meaningful class hike against tougher graded stakes competition.

His 143 Final Time Rating last out fits competitively on paper, although Colonial numbers do not always transfer to other circuits. Earlier this year in a stakes race at Laurel going one mile, he earned a 135 Final Time Rating, which leaves him needing improvement.

2. Navajo Warrior (5-2)

Navajo Warrior enters in sharp form for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. with Flavien Prat aboard. He exits a strong optional claiming victory at Gulfstream Park where he defeated Gosger, a runner-up in last year’s Preakness Stakes.

The key question is distance. Most of his success has come around a mile and a sixteenth, but his recent figures are strong enough to make him a major player if he handles the added ground.

Recent Fire Numbers	Recent Final Time Ratings
96 – 92 – 104	147 – 153

He projects to secure a clean tactical trip from the inside and could either set the pace or stalk just off it.

3. San Siro (6-1)

San Siro continues to show up consistently in graded stakes company. He exits back-to-back third-place finishes in the Grade 3 Essex and Grade 3 Ben Ali.

What I like most is his reliability. His recent numbers remain steady, and he consistently finishes with interest late.

Recent Fire Numbers	Recent Final Time Ratings
104 – 92 – 98	146 – 158

The concern is pace. In a compact seven-horse field lacking abundant early speed, closers may have a difficult setup.

4. Awesome Aaron (9-2)

Awesome Aaron returns to defend his title after winning this race last year under John Velazquez, who reunites with him again here.

This race shape could work perfectly in his favor. There is very little committed speed signed on, and Velazquez excels at placing horses aggressively into favorable tactical spots.

After returning from a layoff in the Oaklawn Mile, where he faded following a fast early pace, he improved sharply in the Ben Ali with a 155 Final Time Rating.

Race	Pace Rating	Final Time Rating
Oaklawn Mile	150	119
Ben Ali	147	155

This will be his third start off the layoff, and his progression suggests another forward move is possible.

Pro Insight

In shorter fields with limited pace pressure, horses with tactical speed often hold a major advantage. Awesome Aaron does not need the lead to win, which gives John Velazquez multiple tactical options.

5. Xcellent Start (30-1)

Xcellent Start has experience and local familiarity, but his running style may leave him with too much to do late.

He exits a fourth-place finish in an allowance race at Charles Town and earned a 131 Final Time Rating. His Fire Numbers are respectable enough, but this pace scenario does not appear favorable for a deep closer.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Preakness Stakes 2026 Preview (5-11-26)

 In this horse racing video, I preview the 2026 Preakness Stakes (5-11-26). 

The 151st Preakness Stakes will be held at Laurel Park on Saturday, May 16, 2026. 

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.     

Preakness Stakes 2026 Video Update (5-9-26)

In this horse racing video, I share the latest 2026 Preakness Stakes news (5-9-26). 

The 151st Preakness Stakes will be held at Laurel Park on Saturday, May 16, 2026. 

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.     

Peter Pan Stakes Day Picks at Aqueduct (5-9-26)

I’m taking a look at the four stakes races on Peter Pan Stakes Day at Aqueduct, including the Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes, which serves as a key prep race for the Belmont Stakes. The past performance data referenced throughout this analysis is provided by Complete Digest from Today’s Racing Digest.

Grade 3 John A. Nerud Stakes Analysis

The sixth race is the Grade 3 John A. Nerud Stakes at six furlongs on the main track. The favorite appears to be One Nine Hundred, and that runner could absolutely prove difficult to catch if left alone on the front end. He likes Aqueduct, prefers this six-furlong trip, and projects as the controlling speed.

Still, I’m siding with Full Moon Madness as my top choice. This runner has already proven effective at Aqueduct and at this exact distance. Last time out in a Grade 3 at Aqueduct on February 28, he narrowly missed by a nose while earning a strong 138 Final Time Rating and a 140 Pace Rating.

What I like most is the projected trip. Full Moon Madness does not need the lead. He can sit just off the pace, track comfortably, and make his move turning for home. Reylu Gutierrez gave him a smart tactical ride last time, and if the pace gets even mildly contested, this horse could wear down the favorite late.

My Betting Takeaway

Full Moon Madness offers the right combination of tactical speed, local form, and pace setup to upset the likely favorite.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Santa Anita Park Pick 6 Carryover Analysis (5-8-26)

The Pick 6 carryover at Santa Anita Park for Friday, May 8 sits at $42,057, and the sequence covers races three through eight. After digging through the card and reviewing the projections from Today’s Racing Digest, this looks like a sequence where a few logical runners could control the outcome. That means I’m approaching this ticket with discipline and keeping the budget manageable while still trying to capitalize on the carryover opportunity.

The past performance data and proprietary ratings referenced throughout this analysis are available in the Complete Digest from Today’s Racing Digest.

Race 3 — $10,000 Claiming N3L — 5 1/2 Furlongs

This seven-horse field opens the Pick 6, and the projections point clearly toward one runner. Looking at the Today’s Racing Digest projected figures, Headstrong Ways controls nearly every key category.

Horse	Fire Number	CPR	Fast Fig	Final Time Rating
Headstrong Ways	78	102	112	113
Neezer Dalton	77	101	—	110

Headstrong Ways looks like the controlling speed from the rail and should get a favorable trip. The January 2 victory against claiming company on dirt stands out, especially the 113 Final Time Rating earned that day. If this horse reproduces that race, the rest of this field may be running for second.

My Betting Takeaway

I’m comfortable singling Headstrong Ways to begin the sequence. The projected pace setup and superior ratings make this the most reliable single on the ticket.

Race 4 — $32,000 Claiming — 1 Mile Turf

The turf rails are set at 30 feet, which generally favors horses that are forwardly placed or sitting within striking range. Deep closers often struggle under these conditions, so trip dynamics become critical.

Three runners appear intent on showing speed:

• Bear’s Board
• Motet
• Eighties

That projected pace battle could set things up for a stalker, which is why Anywaythewindblows makes plenty of sense. Still, I don’t want to leave Bear’s Board off the ticket.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Preakness Stakes 2026 Video Update (5-6-26)

In this horse racing video, I share the latest 2026 Preakness Stakes news (5-6-26). 

The 151st Preakness Stakes will be held at Laurel Park on Saturday, May 16, 2026. 

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.    

Preakness Stakes 2026 Video Update (5-5-26)

In this horse racing video, I share the latest 2026 Preakness Stakes news (5-5-26). 

The 151st Preakness Stakes will be held at Laurel Park on Saturday, May 16, 2026. 

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.    

Preakness Stakes 2026 Video Update (5-3-26)

In this horse racing video, I share the latest 2026 Preakness Stakes news (5-3-26). 

The 151st Preakness Stakes will be held at Laurel Park on Saturday, May 16, 2026. 

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.    

Kentucky Derby 2026 Video Recap

In this horse racing video, I recap the 2026 Kentucky Derby.

Kentucky Derby 2026 Final Order of Finish: 1st - Golden Tempo, 2nd - Renegade, 3rd - Ocelli, 4th - Chief Wallabee, 5th - Danon Bourbon, 6th - Incredibolt, 7th -Commandment, 8th - Wonder Dean, 9th - So Happy, 10th - Emerging Market, 11th - Further Ado., 12th - Potente, 13th - Six Speed, 14th - Robusta, 15th - Albus, 16th - Intrepido, 17th - Litmus Test, 18th - Pavlovian

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.    

Preakness Stakes 2026 Future Wager Analysis

In this Triple Crown Series 2026 video, I analysis the Preakness Stakes Future Wager pool. 

I covered all of the Kentucky Derby 2026 points races on my channel. Road to Derby video record (37 13-4-7).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.    

Kentucky Derby 2026 Analysis

The Grade 1 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs headlines Saturday’s card as Race 12, featuring a $5 million purse for three-year-olds going 1 1/4 miles on the main track. With a full field of contenders and a projected honest pace, this year’s Derby shapes up as a wide-open betting race.

For this analysis, I’m using the Complete Digest Kentucky Derby edition, focusing on proprietary performance ratings like Fire Number, CPR, Fast Figs, and Final Time Ratings to separate contenders from pretenders.

Field Breakdown & Key Contenders

Top Tier Contenders

• #1 Renegade (4-1) – A proven Grade 1 winner with a strong closing kick. He’ll need racing luck from the rail but has the pedigree and pace setup to thrive late.
• #6 Commandment – Ultra-consistent with four straight wins including the Florida Derby. Tactical speed gives him trip versatility.
• #8 So Happy – Santa Anita Derby winner with top-tier CPR and Fast Fig ratings. Must prove California form translates.
• #18 Further Ado – Blue Grass Stakes winner with elite projected Fire Number (106) and top Final Time Rating (156).

Strong Supporting Contenders

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Analysis

The Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs is always one of the most competitive races of the year, and this $1.5 million event for three-year-old fillies at a mile and an eighth looks especially deep. With a full field, multiple pace scenarios, and several improving runners, finding value is key—and that’s where leveraging the Complete Digest becomes critical.

Using advanced metrics like Fire Number, CPR, Fast Figs, and pace projections, I’ve broken down the field and narrowed it to the most likely contenders—while keeping an eye on potential overlays.

Projected Pace & Race Shape

This Oaks sets up with an honest pace. Horses like Explora, Dazzling Dame, and possibly Bella Ballerina should ensure legitimate early fractions. However, I don’t see a complete pace meltdown. Instead, this race should favor fillies sitting within striking range—tactical runners who can finish.

Key Pace Influencers

• Explora (Post 1): Speed from the rail
• Dazzling Dame (Post 7): True front-runner
• Meaning (Post 5): Tactical stalker
• Bella Ballerina (Post 12): Potentially rating this time

Speed Figures & Performance Ratings

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Live Longshots

The 2026 Kentucky Oaks (Race 13 at Churchill Downs, post time 8:40 p.m. ET) offers a deep and competitive field, which is exactly where I want to hunt for value. My approach is simple: identify improving fillies sitting at 10-1 or higher on the morning line and evaluate them using advanced performance metrics from the Complete Digest.

What separates these evaluations is the ability to go beyond traditional figures. I rely heavily on metrics like Fire Number, CPR, and Fast Figs, which incorporate pace, class, and finishing strength—not just final time.

This year, two fillies stand out as legitimate long shot threats with upside: Always a Runner and Bella Ballerina.

Always a Runner (10-1 ML): Rapidly Improving with Upside

Profile & Form

Trainer Chad Brown sends out Always a Runner, a lightly raced filly who has done nothing wrong in two starts. She debuted at Tampa Bay Downs, stalking and drawing off to win by more than six lengths. She followed that effort with a step up in class in the Grade 3 Gazelle Stakes at Aqueduct—and delivered again, grinding down the leader to win going 1 1/8 miles.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Kentucky Derby Live Longshots Video

In this Kentucky Derby 2026 video, I share my top Kentucky Derby longshots using Today's Racing Digest past performance data.

I covered all of the Kentucky Derby 2026 points races on my channel. Road to Derby video record (37 13-4-7).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.   

Kentucky Derby 2026 Video Update (4-26-26)

In this Kentucky Derby 2026 video, I update the points leaderboard and share the latest Kentucky Derby news, workouts, and contenders (4-26-26). 

I covered all of the Kentucky Derby 2026 points races on my channel. Road to Derby video record (37 13-4-7).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.    

Kentucky Derby 2026 Video Update (4-25-26)

In this Kentucky Derby 2026 video, I look at the field and morning line odds, and share my thoughts on the post position draw (4-25-26). 

I covered all of the Kentucky Derby 2026 points races on my channel. Road to Derby video record (37 13-4-7).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.   

Kentucky Derby 2026 Video Update (4-24-26)

In this Kentucky Derby 2026 video, I update the points leaderboard and share the latest Kentucky Derby news, workouts, and contenders (4-24-26). 

I covered all of the Kentucky Derby 2026 points races on my channel. Road to Derby video record (37 13-4-7).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.   

Kentucky Derby 2026 Video Update (4-23-26)

In this Kentucky Derby 2026 video, I update the points leaderboard and share the latest Kentucky Derby news, workouts, and contenders (4-23-26). 

I covered all of the Kentucky Derby 2026 points races on my channel. Road to Derby video record (37 13-4-7).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.   

Kentucky Derby 2026 Pace Analysis

As we get closer to the first Saturday in May, I’ve gone through the latest data to identify the strongest Today’s Racing Digest numbers for the top Kentucky Derby 2026 contenders. This is the time of year where understanding how a race will unfold becomes just as important as who is fastest on paper.

I’m focusing on three core areas: Fire numbers (speed throughout), CPR ratings (overall performance), and pace ratings to project how the Derby sets up. Let’s break it all down.

Updated Kentucky Derby 2026 Field Snapshot

As of April 22, the field is taking shape with a few key developments:

• Iron Honor is unlikely to run, targeting another spot.
• Napoleon Solo has been removed from the also-eligible list.
• Stark Contrast is not a confirmed starter yet. More likely for American Turf.
• Chip Honcho remains a decision pending his upcoming workout.

Meanwhile, four also-eligibles—Intrepido, Litmus Test, Great White, and Ocelli—are waiting for a scratch to draw in.

Top Fire Numbers: Sustained Speed Matters

The Fire Number measures a horse’s ability to sustain speed over distance—critical in a 10-furlong Derby.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

2026 Kentucky Derby 5 Most Likely Winners

In this Kentucky Derby 2026 video, I share my 5 most likely Derby winners.

I covered all of the Kentucky Derby 2026 points races on my channel. Road to Derby video record (37 13-4-7).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.   

Bewitch Stakes 2026 Analysis at Keeneland (4-24-26)

I’m diving into the Grade 3 Bewitch Stakes at Keeneland, a $350,000 event for fillies and mares going 1 1/2 miles on the turf. This is a classic stamina test, and races at this distance often come down to pace dynamics, positioning, and which runners can sustain their finish over the final quarter mile.

Using the past performance data from Today’s Racing Digest, I’ve broken down each contender’s profile, speed figures, and projected trip to find the best betting opportunities.

Field Overview & Pace Scenario

This race lacks a clear-cut front-runner, which makes tactical speed extremely important. Horses that can sit forward or just off the pace should have a significant advantage, especially if the tempo turns moderate early.

Closers will need help up front—and based on the field, that help may not arrive.

Top Contenders

9 – Speed Shopper (5-2)

This is the most logical winner in the field. She brings strong Final Time Ratings, including multiple 149 figures at the graded stakes level going this distance. Her Fire Numbers—a pair of 98s—show she can sustain speed throughout the race.

What really makes her dangerous here is her tactical versatility. From the outside post, she can either take control or sit just off the lead and get first run turning for home.

My Betting Takeaway: She’s the most likely winner based on pace, consistency, and proven ability at 1 1/2 miles.

6 – Mrs. Astor (4-1)

A model of consistency, Mrs. Astor has finished in the top three in nine straight starts. She fits this field on both class and numbers, typically running in the 130–140 range.

The added distance works in her favor, and she has multiple wins at this trip. She can adapt to different race shapes, giving her jockey flexibility depending on how the pace unfolds.

The main concern? She’s still winless at Keeneland.

My Betting Takeaway: A must-use contender with a high floor, but not quite as appealing as the top choice.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest