Iron Honor Lands Post 9 as 14-Horse Preakness Field Draws Taj Mahal on Rail

10 articles · Updated · WBAL TV Baltimore · May 12

A 14-horse field was set Monday for the 151st Preakness at Laurel Park, the race’s first full lineup since 2011 and its first running at the Anne Arundel County track.
Iron Honor, the 9-2 morning-line favorite, drew Post 9, while 5-1 Taj Mahal drew the rail and 6-1 Ocelli landed Post 2 in a field several trainers said has abundant early speed.
Brittany Russell said Taj Mahal’s inside draw was not ideal at first but called him a good gate horse with enough versatility to handle it; Chad Brown said Iron Honor should have 'no excuse' from the middle.
Chip Honcho and Incredibolt were listed at 5-1, with trainers broadly satisfied by middle or tactical posts, though Great White and Pretty Boy Miah connections said their outside draws posed more of a challenge.
The Preakness, the Triple Crown’s middle jewel, will be run over 1 3/16 miles on the third Saturday in May, five days after the draw.

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