Saturday’s $2 million Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park is overflowing with early speed. Horses who prefer to race on or near the lead comprise the vast majority of the field contesting the 1 3/16-mile Preakness.

Ten of the 14 Preakness entrants have shown a tendency to race up front. These include #10 Napoleon Solo (8-1), who set blazing fractions of :22.53, :44.24, and 1:07.88 when wiring the one-mile Champagne Stakes last year, and #1 Taj Mahal (5-1), who opened up a 10-length lead midway through winning last month’s 1 1/8-mile Federico Tesio Stakes.

The 2026 Preakness Stakes seems bound to unfold at a fast pace. This could favor a pair of late runners exiting the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve: #2 Ocelli (6-1) and #12 Incredibolt (5-1).

Ocelli ran a giant race in the Kentucky Derby. After dropping 12 lengths off the early pace, he unleashed a sweeping rally around the far turn and into the homestretch. He led inside the final eighth of a mile, but he was caught late by Golden Tempo and Renegade and settled for third place by one length.

However, it’s worth noting the Kentucky Derby unfolded in an unusual manner. The 18-horse field broke into two groups, with 14 racing in the main body of the field while four others dropped far behind. Golden Tempo, Renegade, and Ocelli were part of the four-horse trailing group for the first three-quarters of a mile.

In contrast, Incredibolt raced toward the back of the main group, no more than 7 ¾ lengths behind sharp pace fractions of :22.68, :46.44, and 1:10.90. It’s possible sticking closer to the pace dampened Incredibolt’s finishing kick, but he nevertheless rallied with interest to finish sixth. He was beaten only four lengths despite being pushed inward by Renegade down the homestretch.

Incredibolt is one of the most accomplished horses in the Preakness field. He entered the Kentucky Derby off a four-length romp in the 1 1/8-mile Virginia Derby Presented by New Kent County, and last fall he launched a last-to-first rally to win the 1 1/16-mile Street Sense Stakes.

A slightly different setup compared to the Kentucky Derby might be all Incredibolt needs to turn the tables on Ocelli. We recommend betting Incredibolt to win, and – if you’re budget is large enough – playing him in the exacta with Ocelli, Champagne Stakes runner-up #5 Talkin (20-1), and Gotham Stakes winner #9 Iron Honor (9-2).

Wagering Strategy on a $10 Budget

$10 to win on #12 Incredibolt

What to say at the betting window: Laurel Park, 13th race, $10 to win on 12

Wagering Strategy on a $30 Budget

$15 to win on #12 Incredibolt

What to say at the betting window: Laurel Park, 13th race, $15 to win on 12

$2 exacta: 12 with 2,5,9 (total cost: $6)

What to say at the betting window: Laurel Park, 13th race, $2 exacta 12 with 2,5,9

$3 exacta: 2,5,9 with 12 (total cost: $9)

What to say at the betting window: Laurel Park, 13th race, $3 exacta 2,5,9 with 12

Good luck, and enjoy the race!