Division rankings: Eclectic cast is set for a wide-open Preakness

Who says Preakness 2026 needed the Kentucky Derby winner? Certainly not me. To the Derby connections bypassing Baltimore in favor of waiting three weeks for the shortened Belmont Stakes, your loss. Everyone knows this latest trend has an expiration date anyway, because once the Belmont returns to its rightful 12-furlong distance next year, this conversation changes entirely.

The reality is that even if the Derby winner had shown up in Maryland and captured the Preakness, a run in a shortened 10-furlong Belmont was never going to feel like a true Triple Crown attempt. It would have come with an unavoidable asterisk attached to it.

So yes, the Preakness party rolls on just fine without them, and frankly, good riddance to the party poopers.

The Preakness Stakes has long been my favorite race on the racing calendar and, more often than not, it winds up being the star of the three-race Triple Crown series. Just look at last season, when the Preakness delivered more drama and intrigue than either of the other two Triple Crown races.

The storylines this year’s edition will produce remain to be seen, but one thing already feels certain: This year’s Preakness is every bit as good, if not better, of a wagering race as the Kentucky Derby was a couple of weeks ago. A full field of 14 is set to line up, and it’s hardly a stretch to say this renewal may be even more wide open than the Derby itself.

More on the Preakness Stakes in a moment, but first, here’s how the 3-year-old male division shapes up heading into this weekend.

3-year-old males

1. Golden Tempo. I can’t say I was surprised to see this guy wearing the roses, especially after The Puma scratched. Before the Derby, I wrote, “Dismiss Golden Tempo at your own risk,” and once The Puma came out of the race, he immediately became one of the key horses to build around, knowing his late kick would come into play. When it mattered most, he outfinished Renegade in the stretch and proved himself a deserving Kentucky Derby winner. Will bypass the Preakness and run in the Belmont Stakes.

2. Renegade. He came with his run once again and for a brief moment looked like he might win the Kentucky Derby. His runner-up finish looked even better after noticing the trouble he encountered leaving the gate. The Belmont Stakes appears to be the logical next target.

3. The Puma. A late scratch in the Kentucky Derby, he should be back sooner rather than later. He won the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and then just missed in the Florida Derby (G1) by a nose to Commandment. If he is ready, the Belmont is next. If not, then the Haskell (G1) is the next major target.

4. Commandment. Disappointed in the Kentucky Derby, where the 10-furlong distance probably came into play as a weakness. Still, he has done enough to be in the top five.

5. Crude Velocity. He was an impressive winner of the Pat Day Mile (G2), but let's not get carried away. He regressed from his previous start and still has questions to answer. Unbeaten now in three starts, he is expected to run next in the Woody Stephens (G1) on Belmont Stakes day.

Next five: Chief Wallabee, Further Ado, Silent Tactic, Ocelli, Incredibolt.

One thing I won’t be doing this week is piling on the Preakness Stakes with more negativity. There are already enough talking heads and self-appointed prognosticators flooding the airwaves and social media with statistics proclaiming this the weakest Preakness, résumé-wise, of the modern era. And although there is some truth to parts of that argument, I’d rather set all of that aside and simply appreciate this race for what it is.

Because the reality is we may be nearing the end of the Preakness being run in its traditional and rightful spot on the calendar, two weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks before the Belmont Stakes. With growing momentum from those who seem intent on making the Triple Crown easier to win, the exact opposite of what it was designed to do, change feels inevitable. And once those changes come, the Triple Crown as we have always known it will be gone for good.

As for this weekend’s Preakness, as mentioned earlier, this race is there for the taking. Remarkably, 11 of the 14 entrants are still searching for their first graded-stakes victory. The lone Grade 1 winner in the field, Napolean Solo, earned that as a 2-year-old last season and has yet to come close to recapturing that form in 2026.

Let’s begin with the three Kentucky Derby alumni returning here. Ocelli stunned just about everyone when he rallied for third at 70-1 beneath the Twin Spires. Those odds are long gone now, but he still projects to offer solid wagering value given the group he meets on Saturday. If he reproduces the effort he delivered two weeks ago, he should win this race.

To his credit, Ocelli has quietly put together a pair of strong performances entering this spot, and as a Derby veteran, he’s an easy horse to root for here. As for those hung up on his maiden status, don’t be. Ocelli actually does own a victory, an unofficial one, anyway, having won a quarter-mile practice race at the Aiken Trials in March of last year piloted by none other than trainer Joe Sharp himself. So yes, Ocelli does, in fact, know where the wire is.

Incredibolt comes into the Preakness off a respectable sixth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, beaten just four lengths at the wire, and figures to get plenty of support at the windows on Saturday. He showed quality as a 2-year-old when capturing the Street Sense (G3) at Churchill Downs, ran poorly in his seasonal debut when finishing off the board in the Holy Bull (G3), then rebounded with an impressive victory in the Virginia Derby before his solid Derby effort. There’s little question he belongs among the major players in this field.

The other Derby alum is California shipper Robusta. Personally, I have a hard time seeing him turn the tables here. He was soundly defeated in both the Kentucky Derby and the Santa Anita Derby (G1) before that. Still, trainer Doug O'Neill has had his fair share of surprises before, so dismissing him entirely might not be the wisest move either.

With 11 new shooters entered in the Preakness Stakes, I won’t break down every single one but rather  will focus on a handful I believe could make a serious impact on Saturday.

Arguably the best-named horse in this year’s Preakness, admittedly for selfish reasons, is Chip Honcho. Beyond the name, though, this colt has quietly built a respectable résumé against solid company. He has faced Golden Tempo in each of his last three starts and has held his own.

Two starts back, Chip Honcho nearly upset the highly regarded Paladin in the Risen Star (G2), finishing comfortably ahead of third-place Golden Tempo that afternoon. After a disappointing off-the-board finish in the Louisiana Derby (G2), his connections regrouped and pointed specifically for this race. Given the shape of this field, Chip Honcho absolutely belongs on the short list of horses capable of winning.

Nearly every Preakness produces a contender in the shape of a local horse, and this year is no different. Taj Mahal is unbeaten in three starts, all at Laurel Park, and comes in off a romp in the local Preakness prep race, the Federico Tesio Stakes. Trained by Brittany Russell, can Taj Mahal make it two straight Triple Crown race winners trained by females? Based on the numbers, he fits here. So yes, he certainly can.

Talkin will attract support largely because of the company he has kept in recent starts, including appearances in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and Blue Grass (G1). The problem, however, is that he was soundly beaten in both races and has yet to show me he’s up to a challenge of this magnitude. He still deserves some respect because, oddly enough, this Preakness might actually represent a class drop from what he has been facing.

Lastly, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. will take his shot with Bull by the Horns. With plenty of early speed signed on, the race shape could set up nicely for his late running style. If the pace is quick up front as many expect, Bull by the Horns could find himself making a serious impact late, and with even slight improvement, he’s capable of being right there at the wire.

Older dirt males

1. Skippylongstocking. I’m keeping this guy at the top despite his narrow runner-up finish in the Alysheba (G2) last out. He clearly has taken a major step forward with maturity this season. His victory in the Essex Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn was dominant, and when you pair that performance with his Pegasus World Cup (G1) win earlier this year over White Abarrio, it’s enough to keep him in this position. I also thought a legitimate case could have been made to disqualify the Alysheba winner, Corporate Power, who lugged in on Skippylongstocking through much of the stretch drive.

2. White Abarrio. His Oaklawn Handicap (G2) win was somewhat of a surprise to many, but I have to give credit to this 7-year-old. He enhances his reputation with a win like this and is entrenched in this spot for now. He was second in the Pegasus World Cup in his only other start in 2026. Connections state he could run next in the Stephen Foster (G1)

3. Magnitude. This guy resides here because he is 2-for-2 this season and knocked off the best dirt horse in the world, Forever Young, in the Dubai World Cup (G1). Should be a player in this division moving forward once back stateside. Could run next in the Stephen Foster.

4. Sovereignty. He returned from a 238-day layoff to finish a solid runner-up to White Abarrio in the Oaklawn Handicap. He should be better next out, when hopefully some of the others ranked here will run. Regardless, he now heads back to the bench for another 70-plus days as he waits for the Stephen Foster.

5. Journalism. He also ran well in finishing third in the Oaklawn Handicap, though you have to wonder how much his gate antics took out of him. He’s expected to resurface at Saratoga for the Met Mile (G1), an ideal spot for him to get back on track and into the win column.

Next five: Baeza, Nysos, Touchuponastar, Corporate Power, Antiquarian.

Older dirt females

1. Claret Beret. This gal was mainly known as a sprinter, but she has stretched out nicely in her last two starts, posting big wins and getting her first top-level score in the Apple Blossom (G1). She has to sit atop what looks to be a wide-open division for now. 

2. Nitrogen. Another disappointment, settling for second as a heavy favorite, this time in the Apple Blossom. Now 1-for-3 on the season, her connections will keep her on the dirt for her next start, the Ogden Phipps (G1) on Belmont day. The longer this gal goes the better, so the nine-furlong distance of the Phipps should help. 

3. Shred the Gnar. This division is in somewhat of disarray and because of that, this gal moves all the way to this spot based on her La Troienne (G1) win last out. She was sixth in her only other start this season, the Royal Delta (G3) at Gulfstream behind Claret Beret.

4. Majestic Oops. The ninth-place finisher from last fall's Breeders' Cup Distaff has been stellar this year at age 6, winning two of her three starts. She won the Azeri (G2) and in the process secured her first graded-stakes win in her 35th career start. Last time out she was third in the Apple Blossom.

5. Fully Subscribed. Her first start this season was good, narrowly missing in the La Troienne (G1). Last season at age 3 she won the Mother Goose (G2) and Comey (G3).

Next five: Alpine Princess, Regaled, Simply Joking, Bless the Broken, Perfect Shot.

3-year-old fillies

1. Always a Runner. The Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner was super impressive in just her third career start. She keeps her unbeaten record intact and now appears headed for the Acorn (G1) at Saratoga. But don't be surprised if a Belmont Stakes appearance is in the cards.

2. Meaning. Ran very well in the Kentucky Oaks, finishing a clear runner-up. She showed up and ran the best race of her career, validating her California form. Could run next in the Acorn.

3. Counting Stars. The Fantasy (G2) winner continues to move forward with each start and turned in a solid effort when third in the Kentucky Oaks, narrowly edging Explora by a neck for the show spot.

4. Explora. I thought she ran about as well as could reasonably be expected in the Kentucky Oaks, missing the show spot by the slimmest of margins. It was also the first time in eight career starts that she failed to finish in the top three.

5. Bella Ballerina. The Golden Rod (G2) winner at 2 prevailed in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) in her 3-year-old debut, running her record to 3-for-3. Then she was runner-up in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), but I still feel she could be one of the best in this division. Scratched from the Kentucky Oaks.

Next five: Zany, Percy's Bar, Life of Joy, On Time Girl, Bottle of Rouge.

Turf males

1. Deterministic. His connections scratched him from the Maker's Mark Mile (G1) in favor of an easier spot in the Fort Marcy (G3) at Aqueduct last out and he delivered, scoring a win in his first start of the season. Last season, he had three straight graded-stakes wins, capped by back-to-back Grade 1 scores.

2. Zulu Kingdom. Won the Maker’s Mark Mile, a race thinned out by a wave of high-profile scratches, but still got the job done, beating Notable Speech, who was overhyped by many but not here. A Grade 1 winner on turf at 3, and if he can stay sound, he’s a legitimate player in this division.

3. Burnham Square. This is isn't the second coming of Manila, but he did impress in his Elkhorn (G2) win over 10 others as he drew off to win by over nine lengths. Make no mistake, it is a rare accomplishment to win by that margin in a graded-stakes grass race in this large of a field. He is now 1-for-2 this season.

4. Rhetorical. Sent off as the favorite in the Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs, he delivered a facile victory over what was, admittedly, a below-par field for this race historically. Before that, he ran well in his seasonal debut when third in the Maker’s Mark Mile, beaten just over a length. He finished 2025 with a 4-for-5 record, his lone defeat coming when fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, one start after his Turf Mile (G1) victory at Keeneland.

5. One Stripe. Runner-up in two Grade 1 races this season, the Maker's Mark and Pegasus World Cup Turf.

Next five:  Notable Speech, Far Bridge, Lagynos, Mondego, Yellow Card.

Turf females

1. Lush Lips. Scratched from the Jenny Wiley (G1) because of her blood being "off," according to her connections, she opened 2026 with a win in the Honey Fox (G3) at Gulfstream Park and has three straight victories dating to last season. She is on the shelf for a while so will drop from this spot soon.

2. Destino d'Oro. She's 2-for-2 this season after her win in the Hillsborough (G2) at Tampa Bay Downs, which came on the heels of her Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G2) score at Gulfstream. She too was a late scratch from the Jenny Wiley.

3. Expensive Queen. Three wins in a row now for this daughter of Lope de Vega to start off 2026. Her dead-heat win in the Jenny Wiley was by far her biggest victory to date as it was her first in a graded stakes.

4. Segesta. Won the Matriarch (G1) last fall for her first top-level score, and before that she was runner-up in the First Lady (G1) at Keeneland. Made her seasonal debut at Keeneland in the Jenny Wiley and ran well to finish in a dead heat, according to Keeneland. That finish is controversial because in the photo she was runner-up, and Keeneland has yet to address this situation.

5. Kathynmarissa. Won the Modesty (G3) in his first start of 2026, defeating the highly regarded Gezora. The Modesty was her first graded-stakes win.

Next five: Gezora, Imaginationlady, Medoro, Thought Process, Rashmi.

Male sprinters

1. Book’em Danno. Was beaten in his seasonal debut in the Carter (G2) at Aqueduct but holds on to the top spot for now. 

2. T O Elvis. Dominated the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1), thankfully ending the hyperbole surrounding Knightsbridge who was off the board. This guy is the real deal, and although he probably won't be back in the U.S. until the fall, he will stay in this spot for now.

3. Bentornato. The Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner tasted defeat in his first start of 2026 last out in Dubai. Last season he ran only twice. He'll train at Churchill with a goal of starting in the True North (G3) at Saratoga on June 6.

4. Imagination. Ran OK in the Churchill Downs Stakes, missing the show spot by a nose. Previously he ran well as the favorite in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) to score a win for the U.S. He finished last season with a strong runner-up effort in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. The Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2) winner made only three starts in 2025, but each was competitive. 

5. Cornucopian. A disappointing effort in the Churchill Downs Stakes, and at this point it’s fair to wonder if he’s simply not the same horse outside of California. There’s also a possibility he has been a bit overrated.

Next five: Disrupter, Crazy Mason, Mad House, Saudi Crown, Bishops Bay.

Female sprinters

1. Eclatant. An impressive winner of the Madison (G1), earning her second graded-stakes victory and first at the top level. She now stands at 5-for-8 in her career.

2. R Disaster. Flattered the top one with a win in the Derby City Distaff (G1), beating several ranked below. Previously she was third to Eclatant in the Madison (G1) at Keeneland.

3. Ways and Means. In her first start in 11 months, she ran well, finishing runner-up to R Disaster in the Derby City Distaff. If she can stay healthy, she will be a player in this division.

4. Usha. Got a test last out in the Derby City Distaff and ran OK finishing third, but she was six clear of Splendora. 

5. Splendora. Like stablemate Cornucopian, she wasn't the same outside of California, finishing fourth as the favorite in the Derby City Distaff. The Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner had impressed in two starts this season, including the Beholder Mile (G1). 

Next five: Grand Job, Grammy Girl, Mystic Lake, Immersive, Margarita Girl.