Preakness fair odds: The 2 long shots to use on your tickets

By now you've heard all the cliches regarding Saturday's Preakness 2026 at Laurel Park, with "wide open" and "great betting race" chief among them.

I'll agree with "wide open," but it's a great betting race only if you have an opinion that goes against the public. Thankfully, with 14 entered, such an opportunity should present itself. Horses such as Corona de Oro and Robusta can make this a great betting race. They are both 30-1 on the Horse Racing Nation morning line, and although their value in the win pool is anyone's guess, I do not expect either to be overused in the vertical exotics or the final leg of pick N wagers.

It's not that I love either horse, of course, but both have enough going for them that as the 10th choice (minimum) either can be used. Robusta's San Felipe Stakes (G2), where he was second to Potente, is among the better races on the page of any horse. Things have not gone well since, but this is major class relief from even the Santa Anita Derby (G1), as either So Happy or Potente would be odds on here. Corona de Oro has run OK in his last two and has been on the lead by default. That's not his preferred style, and John Velazquez getting aboard has me optimistic that pressing or mid-pack tactics can hold on for a slice against these.

The Hell We Did and Pretty Boy Miah will be about half the price as the two aforementioned long shots, and even though I'm typically a "boxes are for shoes" exacta player, I won't be able to resist playing those four in an exacta. The Hell We Did and Pretty Boy Miah both are looking to prove their ability going this far, and Pretty Boy Miah in a two-turn race at all. But their progression into this has me optimistic that either (or dare I dream both?) can run lifetime-best races.

As for the logical horses, morning-line favorite Iron Honor and undefeated Tesio Stakes winner Taj Mahal interest me most. Ocelli and Incredibolt will be overbet exiting the Derby and having a style that appears beneficial for the running of this race. Iron Honor has the fastest race. Granted, that was sprinting on debut, but against this group I can't dismiss the fastest number especially if I think I can hook it up with prices like the above. Taj Mahal will do a Six Speed impression from the rail before trying to turn it into a Oxbow or War Emblem impression turning for home.

I will play trifectas keying Iron Honor and Taj Mahal with the four prices discussed above them. I definitely want at least a Pick 5 ticket live to all six. But without knowing the value opportunity in the preceding races, it is hard to know in what strength. Still, a 12% takeout bet is a must, especially on a day that ends with two full fields.

Preakness 2026