Where to watch Preakness Stakes post position draw 2026: Time, TV channel, horses for Triple Crown race

The road to the Triple Crown takes an intriguing turn in 2026, and the first major clue about who will run in the second jewel comes from the Preakness Stakes post position draw. This annual ceremony sets the stage for the Middle Jewel of Thoroughbred Racing, and this year, the narrative is already electric—and a little bittersweet.

For the sixth time in eight years, the Kentucky Derby champion will not be in the starting gate at Pimlico Race Course. Golden Tempo, who electrified Churchill Downs with a stunning come-from-behind victory on the first Saturday in May, has been declared out of the Preakness. His connections have opted to rest the colt for the Belmont Stakes, leaving the door wide open for a new star to emerge in Baltimore.

This article is your complete guide to the 2026 Preakness Stakes post position draw, including the exact time, TV channel, streaming options, and the full list of expected horses. We’ll also break down what Golden Tempo’s absence means for the race and offer expert predictions on who might seize the moment.

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When and where to watch the 2026 Preakness Stakes post position draw

The Preakness Stakes post position draw is a must-watch event for any horse racing fan. It determines where each horse will start the 1 3/16-mile race, a factor that can dramatically influence strategy and odds. Here are the essential details for 2026:

• Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
• Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
• TV Channel: FS2 (Fox Sports 2)
• Live Stream: Available on the Fox Sports app and FuboTV (with a free trial for new users)
• Location: Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland

The draw will be conducted live from the Pimlico clubhouse, with officials, trainers, and owners on hand to see where their horses land. The event typically lasts about 30 minutes but is packed with drama. If you miss the live broadcast, the full post position list will be posted immediately on The Sporting News and other major racing outlets.

Why Golden Tempo is skipping the Preakness Stakes 2026

The biggest story entering the 2026 Preakness is the absence of Golden Tempo. The Derby winner’s decision to skip the second leg has sent shockwaves through the sport—though, given recent history, it’s not entirely surprising.

Golden Tempo’s victory at Churchill Downs was a masterpiece of patience and acceleration. Trailing the field by 10 lengths at the half-mile pole, he weaved through traffic and exploded down the stretch to win by a neck. But that effort took a toll. Trainer Brad Cox confirmed that Golden Tempo emerged from the race with minor fatigue and that the colt’s long-term health is the priority.

“Golden Tempo gave us everything he had at Churchill,” Cox said in a statement. “We believe the best path for this horse is to point toward the Belmont Stakes. The Preakness comes back in just two weeks, and we don’t want to risk him.”

This marks the sixth time in eight years that the Kentucky Derby winner will skip the Preakness. The last horse to complete the Derby-Preakness double was Justify in 2018, who went on to win the Triple Crown. Since then, Derby winners have either been injured, rested, or simply deemed not ready for the quick turnaround. Golden Tempo’s absence ensures that Justify remains the most recent Triple Crown winner for at least one more year.

For a deeper dive into Golden Tempo’s decision, check out our companion piece: MORE: Why Golden Tempo won’t race the Preakness.

Full list of expected horses for the 2026 Preakness Stakes

With Golden Tempo out, the Preakness field is shaping up to be wide open. Here are the confirmed and likely contenders as of the post position draw date. Note that the final field will be set after the draw, but these horses are expected to enter the starting gate:

• Cyclone City – Runner-up in the Kentucky Derby, this son of Into Mischief has the speed and stamina to handle Pimlico. Expect him to be the morning-line favorite.
• Midnight Thunder – Third at Churchill Downs, he closed well and should appreciate the slightly shorter distance of the Preakness.
• Arctic Blaze – Winner of the Wood Memorial, he skipped the Derby to target the Preakness fresh. Trainer Todd Pletcher is a master of this strategy.
• Coastal Empire – Impressive winner of the Lexington Stakes, he is a late developer with a powerful turn of foot.
• Silver Ghost – Fourth in the Derby, he was compromised by a slow pace. Expect a more aggressive ride here.
• Raging Bull – A front-runner who could steal the race if no one challenges him early.
• Patriot’s Call – Local Maryland-bred who loves Pimlico. A sentimental favorite and a live longshot.
• Fortitude – Won the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont, showing he can handle the distance.

Several other horses are possible, including a few from the Derby also-rans and some that skipped the first leg entirely. The post position draw will clarify the full roster, but the key takeaway is this: the 2026 Preakness is a wide-open race with no clear superstar.

Expert analysis: How the post positions will shape the 2026 Preakness

The Preakness Stakes post position draw is more than just a random number generator—it’s a strategic puzzle. Pimlico’s 1 3/16-mile layout features a sharp first turn and a short stretch, meaning post position can be a huge advantage or disadvantage.

Inside posts (1-3) are often tricky. Horses breaking from the rail need to avoid getting trapped behind slower starters, but they also save ground on the first turn. In recent years, winners have come from posts 1, 3, and 5. A horse like Cyclone City or Midnight Thunder would love an inside draw to use their tactical speed.

Middle posts (4-7) are generally the sweet spot. They offer enough room to establish position without being forced wide. Arctic Blaze and Silver Ghost are versatile enough to adapt to any post, but a mid-range draw would be ideal.

Outside posts (8-14) can be problematic. Horses breaking wide must use extra energy to get over to the rail, and the first turn comes quickly. However, a horse with early speed, like Raging Bull, can use the outside to avoid traffic and set a clear pace. Longshot Patriot’s Call would prefer an outside draw to avoid getting shuffled back.

Prediction: The post position draw will likely produce a morning-line favorite of 2-1 or 3-1. I expect Cyclone City to be the horse to beat, regardless of post. But keep an eye on Arctic Blaze—if he draws well (posts 4-6), he could offer excellent value at 6-1 or higher. The absence of Golden Tempo means the Preakness is a true puzzle, and the draw will be the first piece.

How to watch the 2026 Preakness Stakes race day

Once the post positions are set, the next step is race day itself. The 2026 Preakness Stakes will be run on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Here’s how to catch all the action:

• TV Channel: NBC (coverage begins at 4:00 p.m. ET)
• Live Stream: Peacock, NBC Sports app, and FuboTV
• Post Time: Approximately 6:50 p.m. ET
• Location: Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, MD

The undercard features several graded stakes races, including the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes for fillies on Friday, May 15. The entire weekend is a celebration of Maryland racing, and the atmosphere at Pimlico is always electric.

For those attending in person, gates open at 8:00 a.m. ET on race day. General admission tickets are still available, but they sell out fast. If you can’t make it to Baltimore, the broadcast on NBC is the gold standard for horse racing coverage.

Final thoughts: The 2026 Preakness is a new frontier

The Preakness Stakes post position draw on May 13 will set the table for one of the most unpredictable Triple Crown races in years. Without Golden Tempo, the field is a mix of Derby also-rans, fresh horses, and local hopefuls. This is the kind of race that can launch a new star—or produce a stunning upset.

History tells us that skipping the Preakness is increasingly common for Derby winners, but it doesn’t diminish the drama. In fact, the uncertainty makes the race more compelling. Will Cyclone City prove that his Derby runner-up was no fluke? Can Arctic Blaze pull off the fresh-horse angle? Or will a longshot like Patriot’s Call electrify the home crowd?

One thing is certain: Justify’s Triple Crown legacy remains intact for another year. But the 2026 Preakness offers its own unique opportunity—a chance for a horse to seize the spotlight and write its name into racing lore.

Stay tuned to The Sporting News for complete coverage of the post position draw, live updates, and expert analysis. And don’t forget to add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here for the fastest, most accurate horse racing news.

This article originally appeared on The Sporting News.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.