About the race
The Preakness Stakes is a G1 race over 1 3/16 miles on dirt for three-year-olds and the middle jewel of the US Triple Crown, staged by The Maryland Jockey Club. The organiser says it was inaugurated in 1873, and its home is Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. With construction of a new facility under way at Pimlico, the 2026 running was held at Laurel Park, the first time since 1908 that the race was run away from Pimlico. The 2026 purse was USD 2 million.
Journalism won the 150th running at Pimlico on 17 May 2025 in 1:55.47 for trainer Michael McCarthy and jockey Umberto Rispoli. Napoleon Solo won the 151st at Laurel Park on 16 May 2026 by 1 1/4 lengths for Gold Square LLC, trainer Chad Summers and jockey Paco Lopez. The 152nd is scheduled for Sunday 23 May 2027 at Pimlico, eight days after the traditional third Saturday in May.
The 2025 running
| Date | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 May 2025 | Journalism | Umberto Rispoli | Michael McCarthy | Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith |
From the official result.
The 2026 running
| Date | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 May 2026 | Napoleon Solo | Paco Lopez | Chad Summers | Gold Square LLC |
From the official result.
Recognition and facts
- Triple Crown
- Middle jewel of the Triple Crown (The Maryland Jockey Club)
- 2026 venue
- Laurel Park, hosting the race for the first time
- Next running
- Sunday 23 May 2027, Pimlico Race Course (announced 5 August 2026)
- Race rights
- The State of Maryland completed its acquisition of the Preakness intellectual property rights from 1/ST Racing, announced 31 July 2026
- Broadcast
- NBC and Peacock through 2032 under a renewed agreement (The Maryland Jockey Club)
Questions readers ask
When is the Preakness Stakes run?
Traditionally on the third Saturday in May. It was run on 17 May 2025 at Pimlico and 16 May 2026 at Laurel Park, and the 2027 running is scheduled for Sunday 23 May at Pimlico.
What is the prize fund of the Preakness Stakes?
USD 2,000,000 in 2026, the same as in 2025, according to The Maryland Jockey Club.
Who won the Preakness Stakes in 2025?
Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith.
Sources
The rank and rating are from the IFHA's LONGINES World's Top 100 Group/Grade 1 Races 2025, published 21 January 2026, which ranks races by the ratings of their first four finishers. Other facts are from the pages listed below.
- IFHA: LONGINES World's Top 100 Group/Grade 1 Races 2025 (published 21 January 2026)
- Preakness Stakes home page, with the 2027 Preakness week announcement (The Maryland Jockey Club)
- Preakness news listing (The Maryland Jockey Club)
- Journalism wins the historic 150th Preakness Stakes (preakness.com, 20 May 2025, read via the site's JSON feed)
- Napoleon Solo goes the distance in 151st Preakness Stakes (preakness.com, 19 May 2026, read via the site's JSON feed)
- Laurel Park serving as temporary home for Preakness Stakes (preakness.com, 12 May 2026, read via the site's JSON feed)