🏇 Preakness Stakes Post Position 2026: Betting Favorites & History for Every Starting Spot

The Preakness Stakes post position draw is one of the biggest moments leading up to Saturday’s race as the starting position for the field can influence and even determine the final outcome at Pimlico Race Track.

Below, I break down the latest Preakness Stakes post positions, as well as post position history for Preakness winners and how to bet on the Preakness Stakes using post position data.

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🏇 Preakness Stakes odds & post positions 2026

Here's a look at this year's odds - our Preakness Stakes odds break down the odds for the weekend.

Did the favorites get a good draw?

Let's break down the favorites and the post position they drew for Saturday:

• The favorite, Iron Honor (9-2), is in the No. 9 post position, which is generally considered slightly unfavorable but not a disaster. Because the field is smaller than the Kentucky Derby, post 9 sits on the outer third of the gate, which historically carries some disadvantages. It often requires either early speed to clear inside or a perfect stalking trip. Iron Honor has the early speed which can negate his post, and I am willing to wager he will run a good race.

• Incredibolt (5-1) isn't in a much better post position, sitting in the No. 12 spot. First, it forces the horse to start from the extreme outside in a race where the first turn comes up quickly. That means the No. 12 horse often has to use extra early speed just to avoid getting hung wide, which can burn energy before the race really settles. Second, there’s a higher risk of getting stuck wide around the first turn and into the backstretch, losing ground while inside runners save distance. I will not have any action on Incredibolt for this race as a result.

• Chip Honcho (5-1) is in a much better post position, starting at post No. 6. First, it sits in the ideal middle of the gate, which gives a horse flexibility. From post 6, a runner can either press forward for early position or settle just behind the leaders without getting squeezed or forced extremely wide. Post 6 gives the best blend of positioning, efficiency, and tactical control, which is exactly what the Preakness often rewards.

• Ocelli (6-1) enjoys a strong draw with post 2, which is especially favorable for horses with tactical speed or good gate awareness. It’s not as flexible as middle posts like 4–6, but it’s far from a bad draw and often produces very efficient, often winning trips. Inside-to-mid posts (1–6) consistently outperform extreme outside draws in the Preakness, and this post avoids the issue of being along the rail in post 1.

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🪧 Preakness Stakes post positions: Best, worst, and why they matter

Post positions are a major factor in the Preakness Stakes because they can dramatically influence a horse's strategy and ability to navigate the crowded field. The race's quarter-mile run to the first turn creates a battle that is easier from certain starting positions, and a horse's starting gate can be a major advantage or disadvantage.

How post position changes the race

Post positions matter in the Preakness Stakes mainly because of how quickly the race dynamics are decided early at Pimlico Race Course.

The race is run at 1 3/16 miles, and the first turn comes up quickly after the start, which means where a horse breaks from can directly affect its trip. Inside and middle posts can help a horse save ground into that turn, while outside posts often force runners to cover extra distance or use more energy early to secure position.

What is the best Preakness Stakes post position?

Post 3–6 (especially 4 & 5)

• These are generally the most successful spots. They allow horses to secure an inside-to-mid track trip without getting stuck on the rail or forced too wide.
• Post 5 in particular has produced a lot of winners relative to entries, often described as the “sweet spot” for balance and tactical positioning.

The rail (Post 1) can be tricky, but the other inside posts still perform well due to shorter distance to the first turn.

What is the worst Preakness Stakes post position?

Far outside posts (10 and beyond)

• These have historically been the toughest, especially when fields are full. Horses can get hung wide into the first turn and lose ground early.
• These spots have produced fewer winners because of poor early positioning and traffic issues.

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🏆 Preakness Stakes wins by post position

Here are the number of Preakness Stakes winners by post position since 1909.

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🔢 Preakness Stakes winners with post positions

Here is a look at recent Preakness Stakes winners, along with their post positions.

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💡How to use post position to handicap the Preakness Stakes

Here's how you can use post position to handicap the Preakness Stakes: 

1. Start with race shape first

Before looking at posts, decide how the race is likely to unfold:

• Who has early speed?
• Who wants to stalk?
• Who closes late?

If there’s a lot of speed, outside posts become more dangerous. If it’s a slow pace, inside posts gain value because saving ground matters more.

2. Adjust for trip efficiency

• Inside posts (1–3): Save ground but risk traffic or getting boxed in
• Middle posts (4–7): Best balance of a clean trip and tactical flexibility
• Outside posts (8+): Must either break sharply or risk losing ground wide on the first turn

3. Match post to running style

• Speed horse from an outside post = can be fine if it clears early
• Deep closer from inside = may struggle to find room
• Tactical stalker from middle post = ideal setup

4. Factor in field size (smaller than Derby)

Because the Preakness is smaller than the Kentucky Derby, extreme posts are less damaging than they would be in a 20-horse field, but they do still matter.

Using post position to handicap the Preakness Stakes can be a helpful tool, but it's important to remember that there are many other factors to consider as well. Take your time and do your research, and hopefully, you'll pick a winner!

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🏇 More Preakness Stakes picks & predictions

• Preakness Stakes odds 2026

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❓ Preakness Stakes post position FAQs

Where can I bet on the Preakness Stakes 2026?

Americans can legally wager on horse racing in the following states:

Who is the 2026 Preakness Stakes favorite?

Iron Horse (9-2) is the betting favorite for the 2026 Preakness Stakes, starting from the No. 9 post position at Pimlico Race Course.

Who won last year's Preakness Stakes? 

Journalism won the 2025 Preakness Stakes as the betting favorite.

When is the 2026 Preakness Stakes?

The 2026 Preakness Stakes will be held this Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 6:57 p.m. ET.

Where is the Preakness Stakes?

The Preakness Stakes is held annually at Pimlico Race Course in Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland.

How are Preakness Stakes odds displayed?

You'll often see horse racing betting sites post odds presented as fractional; for example, an entry might be listed as a 3-1 favorite or a 50-1 underdog. For those looking to convert fractional horse racing odds to American or decimal odds, you can use our free and handy odds converter.