The 2026 Preakness Stakes moves to Laurel this year, bringing a fresh field of 12 runners to the Triple Crown trail. Only two horses from the Kentucky Derby-Ocelli and Incredibolt-are making the start. With a wide-open race and a 9-2 morning-line favorite (Iron Honor), the tote board could light up.
Taj Mahal enters as the 'now' horse, undefeated in three starts at Laurel, but faces pressure on the lead from several speed horses. Chris "The Bear" Fallica is standing against him in the win pool.
Iron Honor, trained by Chad Brown, is a strong contender with blinkers off, expected to benefit from a hot pace. Fallica is keying him in trifecta and superfecta bets.
Fallica is tossing Ocelli, calling his Derby third-place finish a product of a collapsing pace and a clean trip. He sees the shorter stretch working against deep closers.
Long shot Talkin (20-1) is pointed to this race by trainer Danny Gargan, who won the 2024 Belmont with 18-1 Dornoch. Fallica considers him a very live long shot.
Another long shot, Corona de Oro (30-1), offers value for those willing to take a leap, with Dallas Stewart having a history of long-shot placings in Triple Crown races.
Fallica's betting strategy includes exacta keys, win-place bets on long shots, and trifecta plays keying Iron Honor and his long shot selections.