Preakness Betting Down 8 Percent
LAUREL, Md. — Total commingled wagering on Saturday’s Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park dropped 8 percent from last year’s robust numbers, according to the official race charts.
This year, a total of $61.9 million was bet on the Preakness, including all multi‑race wagers ending in the second leg of the Triple Crown. That figure fell short of last year’s $67.3 million, which had been the second‑highest handle ever on the race. For the second consecutive year, the Kentucky Derby winner did not participate in the Preakness.
Competitive but Star‑Light Field
The 2026 Preakness featured 14 starters, up from nine last year. Despite a lively and competitive race — the favorite went off at 4.7‑to‑1, with six other horses below 10‑to‑1 — the field lacked nationally recognized headliners.
This year’s Preakness was held at Laurel Park, midway between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, because Pimlico Race Course remains under renovation. Attendance was capped at 4,800, and the race is scheduled to return to Pimlico next year.
Overall Wagering Also Lower
Total commingled wagering on the entire 14‑race Laurel card reached $107.8 million, a 2.6 percent decline from last year’s 14‑race program.
The card drew 122 starters, up from 109 last year, and was boosted by a surge of action on the day’s final race — a 10‑horse maiden special weight that handled $5.71 million, up 134 percent from the same race last year.
Context from Previous Years
A year ago, Preakness wagering jumped 11.3 percent from 2024, even though Derby winner Sovereignty skipped the race. Derby betting that year rose 12.2 percent, fueled by a season featuring strong performances from top runners and added publicity from a Netflix series about horse racing.
In contrast, the 2026 Triple Crown trail lost many top prospects to injury early in the year. Golden Tempo, who won the Derby at 23‑1, emerged from a wide‑open field that lacked a clear favorite. Derby wagering this year fell 3 percent.
Breakdown of Betting Pools
All of the Preakness single‑race pools saw declines:
- Win, Place, Show wagering fell 6.5%.
- Exacta handle dipped 2.3%.
- Trifecta betting was down 3%.
- Superfecta volume declined 5.2%.
Multi‑race wagering ending in the Preakness also dropped significantly. However, all those multi‑race bets had mandatory payouts last year, a promotional factor that was not repeated this year, accounting for part of the decline.
