The Preakness Stakes is the second leg of the Triple Crown and is run two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, on the third Saturday in May. The Preakness is dubbed “The Second Jewel of the Triple Crown” or the “Run for the Black-Eyed Susans”, and at 1 3/16 miles it is the shortest of the three Triple Crown races.
Napoleon Solo won the 2026 Preakness, which was run at Laurel Park while Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore is rebuilt. Like the other Triple Crown races, the Preakness draws huge betting interest because fans are eager to see if the Kentucky Derby winner can win again and head into the Belmont Stakes with a chance at the Triple Crown.
Where To Bet On The Preakness Stakes
The Preakness is legal to bet on in most of the country, including many states without legal sportsbooks. Licensed advance deposit wagering (ADW) sites such as TwinSpires, FanDuel Racing and Xpressbet take bets on the race in roughly 40 states, and racetracks and off-track betting locations take simulcast bets on it.
Prediction markets such as Kalshi have also listed Triple Crown winner markets. Texas only allows horse betting in person at its tracks, while Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina don’t allow horse race betting. Offshore racebooks accept US customers, but they are not licensed or regulated by any state.
How To Bet On The Preakness Stakes Online
- Pick a racing site that accepts your state. Most licensed sites list their eligible states on their sign up page.
- Create your account and deposit. Expect to confirm your name, date of birth and address, and to verify your location before you can bet.
- Bet on the Preakness. Select the host track and the Preakness race number, choose your wager type (win/place/show, exacta, trifecta, etc.), enter your amounts and confirm. Only bet what you can afford to lose. If betting stops being fun, help is available 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER.
Preakness Stakes Betting Tips
Here a few tips dedicated to the Preakness Stakes race. For more general horse race betting tips click that link and scroll down.
- Study The Kentucky Derby – A deserving Derby winner has a good chance of winning the Preakness too. Watch the Derby replay and decide whether the winner’s victory was well earned or a result of a favorable trip.
- Bet On Horses That Performed Well At The Derby – If a horse ran well but didn’t win the Kentucky Derby, for example after a poor start or being held up in traffic, it will usually have much longer odds than the Derby winner and can be a good value bet at the Preakness.
- Consider Fresh Horses – Some trainers skip the Derby to point their horses at the Preakness. These “new shooters” come in rested, while Derby runners are coming back on two weeks’ rest.
Preakness Stakes History
The Preakness Stakes began in 1873 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race moved a couple times to The Bronx and Coney Island before returning to Pimlico in 1909. The attendance and betting handle at the Preakness are generally second only to the Kentucky Derby among North American races. To learn more about the race check out the Preakness Stakes Wikipedia page.