Laurel Park Picks: Grade 1 Preakness Stakes (05/16/2026)

Chris Adams

Written by: Chris Adams

Last Update: Sat May 16, 2026, 5:30 pm ET

Read Time: 9 minutes

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The racing action from Laurel Park on Saturday features the Preakness Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Laurel Park picks for the entire card!

The Black Eyed Susan and Preakness stakes are traditionally run at Pimlico Race Course but due to renovations, both races have been moved to neighboring Laurel Park.

Be sure to check out all the races and odds provided at the best horse racing betting sites. Use promo code BNBOL55 at signup to get a 55% first deposit match when you bet with BetOnline!

Laurel Park Full Card Analysis for May 16, 2026

Click a link to jump to the picks for that race. The Preakness Stakes is the penultimate race on the day's card.

Laurel Park Picks: Grade 1 Preakness Stakes (05/16/2026)

Laurel Park Picks: Grade 1 Preakness Stakes (05/16/2026)

Laurel Park Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 10:30 AM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $58k; 5 1/2 F Turf; Field of 11 runners.

  • #7 EPIC STYLE (8-5): Top Pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Fits well with this group.
  • #3 CAIRO STREET (6-1): Major Player. Running well of late.
  • #2 BOUJEE BUBBLEZ (7-2): Contender. Barn has been sending out runners.
  • #8 GIFT OF GAB (6-1): Contender. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race. Toledo and Stettinius team up on this one.

Selections: 7 – 3 – 2 – 8

The Plays

Win: #7 at 6-5

Exacta: 7 / 3,2

Pick 3 (Races 1-3): #7,3 with #1A with #1,4

Laurel Park Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 11:05 AM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $58k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 13 runners.

Best Bet of the Card

  • #1A BLUE KINGDOM (6-5): Best Bet of the Card. Looks good based on the 102 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Barn has been solid. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
  • #12 GRAND OPENING (8-1): Major Player. Seems to be up against the right competition. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
  • #5 SUREMEANTTOOBE (12-1): Contender. Potential to have this pace fall just right. Has experience at this level.
  • #3 WICKEDDIVINE (6-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Ran at this level last out.

Selections: 1A – 12 – 5 – 3

The Plays

Win: #1A at 1-1

Exacta: 1A / 12,5,3

Laurel Park Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 11:41 AM ET; Maiden Special Weight $52k; 1 M Turf; Field of 11 runners.

  • #1 LIMO (5-2): Top Pick. Hazlewood and Stidham team up on this one. Stamina to outlast the competition.
  • #4 MASTER SOMMELIER (4-1): Major Player. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
  • #6 MUNNY PROBLEM (9-2): Fringe Contender. Not likely to be short in the stretch. Sanchez and Trombetta team up on this one.
  • #3 NAABAAHII (7-2): Underneath. Race conditions fit this one well. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field.

Selections: 1 – 4 – 6 – 3

The Plays

Win: #1 at 2-1

Exacta: 1 / 4,6

Laurel Park Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 12:16 PM ET; Skipat Stakes $125k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

  • #2 PASSAGE EAST (3-1): Top Pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Strong early pace figs.
  • #1 STRIKER HAS DIAL (8-1): Major Player. May be able to take advantage of the pace. Santana and De team up on this one.
  • #7 MODO (9-5): Major Player. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish. Barn has been sending out runners.
  • #3 KAPPA KAPPA (5-2): Major Player. Ran at this level last out. Could be grinding down the competition late.

Selections: 2 – 1 – 7 – 3

The Plays

Win: #2 at 5-2

Exacta: 2 / 1,3

Laurel Park Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 12:51 PM ET; Allowance $54k; 1 M Turf; Field of 15 runners.

  • #7 MAMBO QUEEN (5-1): Top Pick. Barn has been solid. Stamina to outlast the competition.
  • #3 I LOVE GIRAFFES (6-1): Major Player. Running well of late. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
  • #9 TIDEOFTIME (10-1): Contender. Could wear these ones down late. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
  • #14 LOVELY LOOKIN LILI (30-1): Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.

Selections: 7 – 3 – 9 – 14

The Plays

Win: #7 at 4-1

Exacta: 7 / 3,9

Laurel Park Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 1:28 PM ET; Sir Barton Stakes sponsored by Connolly Family Foundation to Benefit The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance $100k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

  • #4 FINAL STORY (2-1): Top Pick. Stamina to outlast the competition.
  • #3 LET'S GO LANDO (6-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
  • #7 REAGAN'S HONOR (7-5): Major Player. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race. Not likely to be short in the stretch.
  • #1 MINORINCONVENIENCE (12-1): Major Player. Trainer's horses have been running. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field.

Selections: 4 – 3 – 7 – 1

The Plays

Win: #4 at 7-5

Exacta: 4 / 3,1

Laurel Park Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 2:07 PM ET; Chick Lang Stakes $150k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

  • #4 OBLITERATION (6-5): Top Pick. Could be ready for a top effort. Race sets up perfectly.
  • #5 IGNITER (5-2): Major Player. Ortiz puts this one in with a chance.
  • #6 SHANE'S WONDER (3-1): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types. Likely in the mix early.
  • #2 HOLLYWOOD IMPORT (15-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch.

Selections: 4 – 5 – 6 – 2

The Plays

Win: #4 at 6-5

Exacta: 4 / 5,2

Laurel Park Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 2:48 PM ET; Maryland Sprint Stakes $150k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

  • #4 HAILEYSFIRSTNOTION (7-2): Top Pick. Looks good based on the 107 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Fits well with this group.
  • #8 SLAM NOTION (5-1): Major Player. Good race flow for this runner.
  • #6 CELTIC CONTENDER (9-2): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types.
  • #3 FAUST (8-1): Major Player. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field.

Selections: 4 – 8 – 6 – 3

The Plays

Win: #4 at 3-1

Exacta: 4 / 8,6,3

Laurel Park Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 3:30 PM ET; James W. Murphy Stakes $100k; 1 M Turf; Field of 8 runners.

  • #4 ATTFIELD (9-2): Top Pick. Barn has been solid. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
  • #5 PROTON (9-5): Major Player. Running well of late. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
  • #6 TURF STAR (5-2): Contender. May be able to find the right setup.
  • #1 MY FAVORITE BIRD (10-1): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field.

Selections: 4 – 5 – 6 – 1

The Plays

Win: #4 at 7-2

Exacta: 4 / 6,1

Laurel Park Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 4:11 PM ET; Dinner Party Stakes $250k; 1 1/8 M Turf; Field of 7 runners.

  • #4 FORT WASHINGTON (7-2): Top Pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Barn has been solid.
  • #3 CRUISE THE NILE (9-5): Major Player. Ruiz and Motion team up on this one. Can run with these.
  • #6 DRESDEN ROW (7-5): Major Player. Not likely to be short in the stretch. Barn has been sending out runners.
  • #7 HARROW (12-1): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.

Selections: 4 – 3 – 6 – 7

The Plays

Win: #4 at 3-1

Exacta: 4 / 3,7

Laurel Park Picks – Race 11

Post Time: 4:53 PM ET; Gallorette Stakes $150k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 8 runners.

  • #7 CHILD OF THE MOON (5-2): Top Pick. Comes in with solid form. Ortiz puts this one in with a chance.
  • #8 AWESOME CZECH (5-1): Major Player. Should take a liking to the race shape. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
  • #5 AUSTERE (7-2): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types. The 98 speed rating is among the best in the field.
  • #4 WARMING (12-1): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Ran at this level last out.

Selections: 7 – 8 – 5 – 4

The Plays

Win: #7 at 2-1

Exacta: 7 / 8,5,4

Laurel Park Picks – Race 12

Post Time: 5:52 PM ET; Jim McKay Turf Sprint Stakes $125k; 5 1/2 F Turf; Field of 11 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day

Longshot Play of the Day

  • #8 OUTLAW KID (5-1): Longshot Play of the Day. Stamina to outlast the competition. Should be able to work out a trip. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
  • #1 RUN CURTIS RUN (4-1): Major Player. Running well of late. Trainer is having a great meet.
  • #4 CHASING LIBERTY (3-1): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races. Previous success in similar race types.
  • #11 HAD TO HAVE HIM (8-1): Major Player. Potential to get the pace of the race flow. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 8 – 1 – 4 – 11

The Plays

Win: #8 at 5-1

Trifecta: 8 / 1,4 / 1,4,11

Laurel Park Picks – Race 13

Post Time: 7:01 PM ET; Preakness Stakes $2000k; 1 3/16 M Dirt; Field of 14 runners.

  • #1 TAJ MAHAL (5-1): Top Pick. Barn has been solid. Favorable class relief in this spot.
  • #9 IRON HONOR (9-2): Major Player. Running well of late. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
  • #10 NAPOLEON SOLO (8-1): Major Player. Has experience at this level. Likely in the mix early.
  • #6 CHIP HONCHO (5-1): Contender. Could be grinding down the competition late.

Selections: 1 – 9 – 10 – 6

The Plays

Win: #1 at 4-1

Exacta: 1 / 9,10,6

Laurel Park Picks – Race 14

Post Time: 7:43 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $52k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

  • #6 GRANT THE GREAT (3-1): Top Pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Race may setup for this runner.
  • #8 HOLY MOLY MITOLE (9-2): Major Player. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Likely to get forward position.
  • #7 BALLINACLASH (10-1): Major Player. May be able to find the right setup. Barn has been sending out runners.
  • #3 LOVE YOURSELF (6-1): Major Player. May be getting a weaker field than last out. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch.

Selections: 6 – 8 – 7 – 3

The Plays

Win: #6 at 5-2

Exacta: 6 / 8,7,3

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Chris Adams
Chris Adams

Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.

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