all in Triple Crown

It's not often that a "first" can happen in a race that has existed since 1873, but the 151st edition of the Preakness Stakes is one that will forever have it's place in history as the first edition of the race ever to be held at Laurel Park, about 20 miles south of the $2 million race's usual home at Pimlico Race Course.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Pat Riley and Phil Jackson dominated the National Basketball Association coaching ranks, accounting for 10 championships between them. But during the same time frame another basketball coach was even more dominant than the two NBA legends, he just chose to ply his trade in a different sport.

It’s Preakness Stakes week, and our attention shifts to the temporary home of the second leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown. Laurel Park, not Pimlico, is the site of Preakness week festivities, and huge cards Friday and Saturday will provide plenty of chances to take swings with live longshots.

The 151st running of the $2 million, Grade 1 Preakness Stakes drew a full field of 14 as the second leg of the Triple Crown will be held for the first time in history at Laurel Park this Saturday.

For the 10th year in a row, America’s Best Racing is challenging some of the brightest minds in horse betting to come up with their top three picks for key races every weekend leading up to the 2026 Triple Crown and then continuing through the 2026 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland. The handicappers face off in what we like to call the “Big-Race Showdown.”

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