2026 Preakness Moves to Laurel Park for May 16 as Pimlico Renovation Forces 1-Year Shift
Updated
Updated · America's Best Racing · May 11
2026 Preakness Moves to Laurel Park for May 16 as Pimlico Renovation Forces 1-Year Shift
11 articles · Updated · America's Best Racing · May 11
May 16, 2026 will mark the first—and possibly only—Preakness at Laurel Park, with the Triple Crown race staying at its usual 1 3/16 miles during a two-day, 15-stakes weekend.
Pimlico renovations triggered the move, but Laurel offers little direct history at the Preakness distance; handicappers are instead leaning on 65 races at 1 1/8 miles for clues.
Those Laurel route stats show a mixed pace picture—speed horses and deep closers each won 24 of 65 races—while posts 1-3 produced 36 winners, or 55%, though in smaller fields averaging 6.36 horses.
Broader Laurel trends still point to some speed bias on dirt: front-running or pace-pressing horses won 46% of 1,000 dirt sprints since 2024, while inside posts captured 48% of 399 one-turn mile races.
On turf, Laurel plays differently: 5 1/2-furlong sprints have been unusually fair, while closers won 164 of 333 route races, suggesting Preakness weekend bettors may need to adjust sharply by surface and distance.
How will a full Preakness field change the winning patterns seen in smaller races at Laurel Park?
Is this complete overhaul of Maryland's racing infrastructure the new model for the sport's survival across America?
With Maryland investing $500M in tracks, what does Churchill Downs' ownership mean for control over the state's most famous race?