There’s a moment right before the gate opens — the crowd swells, the tension spikes, and every bettor holds their breath just a second too long. That’s the Preakness Stakes. Fast. Unforgiving. And loaded with opportunity for those who know how to bet the Preakness Stakes.
This guide was built for that exact moment, and it starts with where you’re getting Preakness Stakes betting odds in the first place. We’ve vetted the top sportsbooks for Preakness Stakes betting online just for you, and detailed them below, along with other must-know info on the event. This is as comprehensive as a Preakness Stakes betting guide as you’ll find anywhere else so stick with us!
The Vegas odds for the Preakness Stakes 2026 are out. As of this writing, here’s who’s favored to take first come race time:
| Preakness Stakes odds 2026 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journalism | +160 | +175 | +160 |
| Sandman | +400 | +250 | +275 |
| River Thames | +450 | +520 | +500 |
| Clever Again | +500 | +800 | +850 |
| Goal Oriented | +600 | +600 | +600 |
| Heart of Honor | +1200 | +1200 | +1200 |
| American Promise | +1500 | +1500 | +1500 |
| Pay Billy | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Gosger | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
The Preakness Stakes does not draw as much betting handle as the Derby, but is still one of the biggest betting pools of the year and is an excellent handicapping and betting opportunity. The number of starters is restricted to 14 horses, although fewer than that often enter the starting gate. The program for the Preakness Stakes will list the horses from No. 1 on out based on the post position draw earlier in the week, taking place the Wednesday before the race.
The post-position draw and Preakness Stakes morning line odds are set at the same time, typically early in the week of the race, and the horses’ connections gather around to hear the announcement of who is in the race and where they will break from the gate.
An important Preakness Stakes betting tip is that when looking at the program or past performances for the Preakness, beside each horse’s name are the pedigree, owner, breeder, trainer, and jockey. The information also includes past race charts, win/loss records, and career earnings. There is also information on if the horse has run over the track or distance before.
Some important angles to look for when trying to pick the winner include top jockey, top trainer, recent performances, post position, and track condition. The runner’s history at Pimlico and in Grade 1 company should also be a consideration, as should a comparison of their Preakness Stakes odds and how likely you think they are to win.
If all else fails, you can always go with your lucky number or the name that appeals to you the most.
Preakness Stakes online betting is an important part of your annual wagering plans. Betting on the Preakness today does not require you to be at Pimlico Racetrack: it can be done online with these top online sportsbooks. They make betting the Preakness easier than ever, and offer bonuses and incentives you will never find at the track.
There are many off-track venues throughout the U.S. where you can get the best Vegas odds on the Preakness Stakes. You can play the Preakness at Las Vegas sportsbooks like the Bellagio, or from the comfort of your own home at these trusted Vegas betting sites.
BetOnline gets horse racing — not just in passing, but in full stride. This isn’t a site that treats betting on Preakness Stakes like an afterthought. It treats the second jewel of the Triple Crown like the big deal that it is. From the moment you land on the racebook, it’s clear they’ve built this platform with serious bettors in mind.
The options for best bets for Preakness Stakes are near limitless. Win-place-show is just the start. You’ll find exactas, trifectas, superfectas, horse matchups, and race-day props that add even more juice to the board. The odds are posted early, which means you can build out your tickets ahead of the curve. Among Preakness Stakes betting tips, wagering early — before markets are fully mature — is one of the most advantageous.
Where BetOnline really impresses is how smooth it operates, even when the site is packed like it will be on race day. Markets are easy to find, bets are simple to place, and everything responds like it should — no lag, no confusion. Whether you’re locking in a pick before post time or making adjustments mid-card, the interface holds up.
There are few places that do online betting Preakness Stakes better than BetOnline. The site gives bettors options and control, which is more than half the battle most of the time. It’s a book built for those who want more than just a basic bet. Does that sound like you? If so, this site has your name written all over it.
BetUS doesn’t do small. Never has. And if there’s one race that matches that energy, it’s the Preakness. This is the kind of sportsbook that goes all out on Preakness Stakes betting — starting with a welcome bonus. While most books toss you a few hundred in free play, BetUS comes out swinging with up to $6,000 in bonus money. It’s an outrageous number — and that’s exactly the point.
With a bonus that size, how to bet on Preakness Stakes changes fast. You’re not limited to one or two straight bets and hoping for the best. Now you can stack exactas across multiple races, load up on props, and fire off a superfecta just to see what happens. There’s a certain pressure that comes off since you have more “play money” — just be careful not to get too reckless.
Outside of bonuses, the BetUS sportsbook itself is the real deal. BetUS brings more than just win-place-show to the table. You’ll get creative props like post-position outcomes, margin of victory, and time-based bets — plus exotic wagers that let you build high-payout tickets. The interface is smooth, the markets are easy to find, and it all ramps up perfectly for one of the biggest betting weekends in horse racing.
As we mentioned, BetUS is really for the bettor who wants to go all out come race time. Bets, bonuses, options — it’s overflowing on a betting site like this. Just make sure you can handle it cause it can be excessive for new bettors who aren’t used to a fast-paced style like this.
We’ll be honest: online sports betting doesn’t have the best reputation. In fact, it’s often believed to be a scam. It’s not true, but there have been a few bad apples that’ve done their part to reinforce those negative perceptions. But Bovada has done its fair share to break that reputation. They’ve done so by being a trusted bookmaker for well over a decade now, amassing a huge user base in the process. How has Bovada managed to do that? By offering a flat-out good playing experience.
It all starts with the betting menu, which is stacked. Of course, you’ll get the basics like win, place, and show, but Bovada goes further. They offer exactas, trifectas, superfectas, and even special matchups between horses. You’ll also find prop bets specific to race day — things like winning margin or post position outcomes that give you a chance to dig into strategy beyond the standard picks.
Where Bovada really stands out is in its betting odds. The lines here are consistently sharp, giving you solid value whether you’re playing favorites or longshots. That edge might not seem huge in the moment, but over time, a few extra points can mean the difference between breaking even and walking away with a profit. It’s the kind of subtle advantage experienced bettors recognize and appreciate.
Ease of use is another big win for Bovada. The site is clean, intuitive, and fast — both on desktop and mobile. Whether you’re new to horse racing or a seasoned bettor, the interface makes it easy to navigate markets, place bets, and manage your funds without any funny business. All of this helps make Bovada an all-around great spot to get action.
Let’s go right ahead and say it: only consider MyBookie if you’re in it for the long haul. If you just need a spot for the Preakness and that’s it, then this might not be it for you, not compared to the other sites on this list. However, if you plan on betting year-round — whether it’s on thoroughbreds or other sports — keep on reading.
MyBookie’s offers a VIP rewards program that makes every single bet placed on the site count. Whether it’s a Preakness exacta, a casino spin, or a UFC parlay, any and all money wagered on site earns points. Stack enough, and those points morph into real cash you can throw back on your next race-day longshot. It’s slick, automatic, and all happening behind the scenes while you’re locked into the action.
But… don’t expect to waltz in and earn benefits right away. MyBookie’s VIP program is invite-only, and that exclusivity is what makes the perks worthwhile. We’re talking upgraded support, personalized offers, faster payouts, and fewer fees — all reserved for the loyal few who show up and bet like they mean it.
So again, only consider MyBookie if you want to extend your stay past Preakness Saturday. If you do, then a VIP program this extensive will be worth your time and money. Think of it less as a promotion and more as a playing edge, built for bettors who treat the game like a craft.
Sportsbetting.ag isn’t for window shoppers. It’s built for bettors who show up early, come prepared, and want to own race day from the jump. If you’re eyeing the Preakness Stakes with intent — looking for edges before the field’s even finalized — this book puts you ahead of the pack.
Where Sportsbetting.ag really earns its stripes is timing. Odds here go live early — we’re talking Preakness win-place-show bets right after the Kentucky Derby ends and exotic wagers like trifectas and superfectas soon after. That speed matters. Early odds are where sharp bettors feast, and this site consistently gives you first crack at pricing before the market matures.
But it’s not just about speed — it’s the quality of the lines too. Sportsbetting.ag has a knack for posting odds that lean bettor-friendly, especially when the stakes are high. During marquee races like any of the Triple Crowns, where movement happens fast and public money floods in late, having a line that opened in your favor can be the difference between a cash and a close call.
Here’s the skinny on Sportsbetting.ag: it is built for the bettor who already thinking two races ahead. No bells, no gimmicks — just sharp tools, early lines, and a smooth ride to the betting window. If you want to attack the Preakness Stakes like a pro, this is the place to do it.
What Bookmaker lacks in flash, it makes up for in pure horsepower (pun fully intended). This isn’t a platform that tries to dazzle with trendy design or nonstop promos (it has neither) — it’s a place that’s been running steady for decades and still attracts some of the sharpest horseplayers around. When the Preakness Stakes rolls in, Bookmaker’s stripped-down, no-BS approach becomes a real game-changer.
Everything you need for race day is here. Win-place-show? Yep. Exactas and trifectas? Covered. Superfectas and head-to-head props? Ready to go. What’s refreshing is how cleanly it all operates. There’s no clutter, no “gamified” distractions. You log in, load up your bets, and let it rip. That’s a dream scenario for seasoned bettors who know exactly what they want — and don’t want to click through five promos to get there.
The other standout here is Bookmaker’s appetite for action. This site doesn’t shy away from big bets. You want to drop serious coin on a wager? Odds are Bookmaker will take it. Unlike books that freak out when you win or suddenly limit your stakes, this one leans into volume — a rarity that high-stakes Preakness bettors will appreciate.
So yeah, it might not be the prettiest site in the world, but Bookmaker runs like a thoroughbred. It’s fast, it’s tough, and it doesn’t spook when the money gets big. That’s exactly what you want if you’re throwing around big money.
BetNow is one of the few sportsbooks that feels like it was actually built for bettors — not marketers. While flashier platforms chase trends and shout the loudest, BetNow focuses on delivering a user-first experience that pays off, especially during big races like the Preakness Stakes.
One of the clearest examples of this is BetNow’s bonus structure. It’s not “here’s your one offer, take it or leave it.” No, BetNow offers four distinct sign-up bonuses, each tuned to different betting styles. On top of that, they’ve got ongoing rebates, including a sportsbook-specific one that gives three percent back. That’s not common, and it adds up fast if you’re betting serious volume (and losing since it pays net losses only).
For the Preakness itself, BetNow doesn’t overwhelm you. Instead, it gives you exactly what you need — nothing more, nothing less. All the classics are here: win-place-show, exactas, trifectas, superfectas. And if you want a little edge, there are some sharp head-to-heads and futures tucked into the mix too. It’s curated, not cluttered, which makes a huge difference on race day.
That’s the BetNow edge — clarity, control, and a betting setup that feels personal. When everyone else is trying to sell you on features you didn’t ask for, BetNow gives you the options to build your own lane. If you want a sportsbook that stays out of your way and lets you bet the way you want, then this one is it.
Everygame is a race-day workhorse — efficient, clean, and dependable from the jump. It’s the modern evolution of Intertops, one of the earliest online sportsbooks, and that history shows up in how well the platform performs today, especially during big events like the Preakness Stakes when servers can get jammed and less functional places.
Everything about the race-day experience is smooth. Odds are clearly posted and updated in real time across win-place-show bets, exotics like exactas and trifectas, and matchup-style props. The interface stays fast no matter how busy the slate is, and getting your picks in before post time is never a scramble.
What also stands out at Everygame is consistency. The site doesn’t overcomplicate things, but it covers every angle you need — whether you’re taking a longshot or anchoring a bigger exotic strategy. It’s reliable both in odds and in speed, which is exactly what you want when you’re betting a race as unpredictable as the Preakness.
This is the kind of sportsbook you keep in rotation, not just for one race, but all year long. It handles business quietly, but gets it right when it matters most. That’s more than most betting sites can say.
Mobile betting was a “nice to have” thing half a decade ago. Today? It is the make-or-break thing for betting sites. For XBet, they definitely fall in the “make” category. Out of all the sites on this list, they have a strong case for the strongest mobile-posting experience.
From the moment you load it up on your phone, everything runs like ultra-smooth. Odds update in real time without delays. Bet slips are snappy. Pages never lag. Whether you’re placing a win-place-show on the fly or firing off an exotic bet between races, XBet handles it like a pro. The app’s speed isn’t just a perk — it’s a weapon.
Live betting is where most mobile sportsbooks fall apart. Not here. On race day, when seconds matter and markets shift fast, XBet stays locked in. No crashes. No sluggish menus. Just clean, responsive access to every bet on the Preakness board.
This isn’t just about flash — it’s also about function. XBet knows what bettors actually need, and it delivers without the fluff. If you’re betting the Preakness from your phone — and let’s be real, most of us are — this is one of the best tools in the game.
There are several available bets on the Preakness wagering menu. The win, place, and show bets are common bets to place on any horse race. A win bet is exactly that — pick the winner of the race. To cash a place ticket, your horse must finish first or second. To cash a show ticket, your horse must finish first, second, or third. Published payoffs on winning tickets are based on a $2 bet.
Often the Kentucky Derby is a heavy favorite in the Preakness. In 2014, Kentucky Derby champion California Chrome went off at 1-2 in the Preakness. That means a $1 profit was made on every $2 bet on the overwhelming favorite that day. For example, on a $200 bet on California Chrome, the winning ticket returned $300 ($200 originally bet, plus $100 profit). If you think the Kentucky Derby winner can lose, you will get great odds on whoever you pick.
As for Preakness exacta, trifecta, and superfecta bets, these betting options are called “exotics.” A bettor is attempting to pick the exact order of finish of multiple horses. In an exacta, you must pick the exact order of finish of the first two horses. In a trifecta, it’s the exact order of finish of the first three horses. With a superfecta, it’s the exact order of finish of the first four horses.
Exotics can pay well in the Preakness even if the favorite finishes in the money but does not win. Even though 3-2 favorite Authentic finished second in the 2020 Preakness, for example, the 4-9-6-3 superfecta with Swiss Skydiver, Authentic, Jesus’ Team, and Art Collector returned $5,053 for only a $1 wager.
There are also multi-race wagers, such as Daily Double, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, and Pick 6 betting. A daily double is a bet where you have to pick the winner of two separate races. The Preakness is often coupled with the race before or after it. A Pick 3 is a bet where you have the pick the winner of three consecutive races. The more races you have to pick the tougher it gets, but the more it pays if you win!
When getting ready to place your wagers, knowing the historical trends can give you a good foundation on how to bet the Preakness Stakes.
Only three favorites have won the Preakness in the last 10 years, which is below the historical average of 50.3%. The public’s choice has won the Preakness far more often than the Derby (35.7%) and the Belmont (42.1%). The betting favorite has won 14 of the last 36 editions of the race. The second betting choice has won the race ten times.
Legendary trainer Bob Baffert has won the second jewel of the Triple Crown eight times, the most in the history of the Preakness. His most recent win came in 2023 with National Treasure. Other big names who have won the race for Baffert include Silver Charm, American Pharoah, and Justify.
Two active jockeys have won the Preakness three times — Kent Desormeaux and Victor Espinoza. Recently, jockeys have been getting their very first Preakness wins, such as Jose Ortiz in 2022 on Early Voting, Tyler Gaffalione in 2019 on War of Will, and Javier Castellano in 2017 with Cloud Computing. In 2018, Mike Smith rode Justify to win the Preakness; that was his first Preakness win as a jockey since 1993.
Knowing the Preakness jockeys and trainers can help you make a good wager. Track condition often plays a role at the Preakness as well, with the track often turning up muddy and wet due to weather. That can help horses like Exaggerator, who splashed home in the slop in 2016. Some horses don’t like the slipping of a muddy track, so keep an eye on the weather and their performances over previous wet tracks in their lives.
Two kinds of horses typically contest the Preakness: horses who ran well in the Kentucky Derby, as well as horses who bypassed the Derby and targeted the Preakness Stakes in particular. Both of these kinds of horses can be quality win candidates.
Though the field for the Preakness will not come together until after the Kentucky Derby is over, it is not too early to start thinking about the horses entered in the 2026 Preakness Stakes. This will give you a head start when deciding the best bets for Preakness Stakes day in mid-May.
The winner of the Kentucky Derby typically goes off favored in the Preakness Stakes. The 2025 Kentucky Derby favorite is likely to be one of two horses: Fierceness or Sierra Leone.
Fierceness, trained by Todd Pletcher, won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in 2023 and comes into the Kentucky Derby off of an impressive 13 1/2-length romp in the Florida Derby. He has not been the most consistent horse, but he has tactical speed and his best races have been brilliant. If he wins the Kentucky Derby he probably goes to the Preakness, though if he does not win Pletcher is likely to reroute him to other summer goals, based on his previous actions with top horses who contested but did not win the Derby.
Sierra Leone, trained by Chad Brown, comes into the Kentucky Derby out of a win in the Blue Grass at Keeneland, where he made an impressive closing run. He is just a nose short of being undefeated, with the only blemish on his record being the narrowest of losses to Dornoch in the Remsen last fall. Sierra Leone turned the tables on that one at Keeneland.
Other well-fancied Kentucky Derby contenders include Forever Young, Catching Freedom, Just a Touch, and Stronghold. If they run well at Churchill Downs, they could very well be among the favorites at Pimlico Race Course.
In addition to Kentucky Derby runners, some horses point straight to the Preakness. Sometimes it is because they did not earn enough points to make it into the Kentucky Derby field, whereas other times it is because they were deliberately pointed to the Preakness.
One of the horses bypassing the Kentucky Derby, Muth, may end up being the Preakness favorite. He won the Arkansas Derby, marking himself as one of the best sophomores in training. However, trainer Bob Baffert is ineligible to race in the Kentucky Derby or any other race at a track owned by Churchill Downs until at least the end of 2025. He can race anywhere else, though, and he won the Preakness in 2023 with National Treasure, another horse who came in fresh after bypassing the Derby.
Other horses may come into the Preakness after winning races that offer a bid to the race. Endlessly was the first horse to earn a Preakness berth, doing so in the El Camino Real at Golden Gate Fields. However, he may actually go to the Kentucky Derby first after earning 100 points in the Jeff Ruby at Turfway Park. Other horses who earned Preakness berths in races include Informed Patriot, winner of the Bath House Row at Oaklawn, and Copper Tax, winner of the Federico Tesio at Laurel. Patriot Spirit earned $20,000 toward a Preakness entry by winning the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne, though he would have to be nominated late to the Triple Crown to take advantage.
The Preakness Stakes meeting is usually run over three days, with stakes races increasing in stature and purse through the Saturday races. Throughout the week of the Preakness, the best horses in every division make their way to Pimlico. There are exciting finishes and excellent betting opportunities.
Major races over the weekend other than the Preakness include the $300,000 Black Eyed Susan Stakes (G2), the $500,000 Dinner Party Stakes (G2), the $250,000 Pimlico Special (G3), $100,000 Allaire DuPont Distaff, the $100,000 Maryland Sprint (G3), the $100,000 Hilltop Stakes, the $100,000 Gallorette Stakes (G3), the $100,000 James Murphy Stakes, the $150,000 Miss Preakness Stakes (G3), the $200,000 Chick Lang Stakes (G3), the $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint, the $100,000 Very One Stakes, the $100,000 Sir Barton, and the $100,000 Skipat Stakes.
This is going to be one of the biggest and most important betting weeks of the year at any track in the world, so make sure you are ready to place your bets.
The Preakness Stakes is typically run two weeks after the Kentucky Derby. In 2026, the Preakness Stakes will be run on Saturday, May 18, 2026.
The Preakness Stakes is run at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.
NBC will broadcast the Preakness Stakes live. The post tine for the Preakness is typically around 5:45pm Eastern Daylight Time. NBC will also stream the Preakness on Peacock, its affiliated streaming platform, making it easy to watch the Preakness anywhere with an internet connection.
The Preakness Stakes is limited to fourteen horses. It always draws a mixture of horses coming in from the Kentucky Derby and newer faces who prepared elsewhere.
The Preakness typically draws between 130,000 and 140,000 people per year.
The purse for the Preakness Stakes is $2 million guaranteed.
The Preakness Stakes is traditionally the second jewel of the Triple Crown, run two weeks after the Kentucky Derby. There is one Triple Crown race after the Preakness, the Belmont Stakes in New York.
The Preakness Stakes covers a mile and three sixteenths, or nine and a half furlongs.
The power of the internet brings makes Preakness Stakes online betting possible, and our recommended sites give you real Vegas odds from anywhere. You can use any internet-connected device such as a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone to access these online sportsbooks and bet the Preakness Stakes from the comfort of home.
Yes! You can visit the sportsbook website and bet the Preakness Stakes from any mobile device. Or, many sportsbooks also offer mobile apps. That way, you can have the best betting experience and the best Vegas odds in just a few taps.
Our Las Vegas betting experts have reviewed the best online sportsbooks, all of which offer betting on the Preakness Stakes. Read their expert reviews of the top Vegas betting sites and learn which sites have the best Vegas odds, bonuses, features, and user interfaces.
Many online sportsbooks offer excellent promotions for betting all Triple Crown races, including the Preakness, including deposit bonuses and rebates. Most racebooks offer a horse racing rebate between 7-15% of daily bet volume, paid out every single day on both winning and losing wagers.
Most sportsbooks do not yet offer live streaming of the Preakness Stakes, though it has been requested from most sportsbooks. However, it is worth checking sportsbooks closer to Preakness day to check whether they have set up a streaming arrangement.
If the best sportsbook for you does not yet offer live streaming, you can stream the Preakness on Peacock, so you can watch while you bet on the race online.
Online sportsbooks offer Vegas odds on a full range of Kentucky Derby wagers. Bettors should learn about the horses and the bets, and choose wagers that they can bet confidently. Bettors should also take the time to choose the wagers and odds that provide right balance of payout and risk.
The following kinds of bets are popular on the Preakness Stakes
1 – Win bet
2 – Place bet
3 – Show bet
4 – Exacta
5 – Quinella
6 – Trifecta
7 – Superfecta
8 – Pick 3
9 – Pick 4
10 – Pick 5
11 – Pick 6
