The 151^st Preakness Stakes may lack the star power of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, but it should be o highly interesting betting race. Yes, Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo will not be there. But of the 14 entrants, the favorite is 9-2 on the morning line and five contenders are priced between 9-2 and 6-1, making for a wide-open contest and a great betting race at Laurel Park that could trigger some handsome payouts.

1. Taj Mahal (5-1 morning-line odds): Undefeated colt is 3-for-3 for trainer for trainer Brittany Russell, who is aiming to become the first female trainer to win the Preakness. The rail here is not as disadvantageous as it is in the Kentucky Derby, but given his speed, he will need to break quickly at the fear of being shuffled back. Comes off a front-running 8 ¼-length romp over the track in the Federico Tesio Stakes and has the rider who knows the track best in Sheldon Russell, Brittany’s husband.

JOCKEY: Sheldon Russell; TRAINER: Brittany Russell

2. Ocelli (6-1): A Forget the maiden tag. Was good enough to be third in the Kentucky Derby and Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino. The bigger question is, how much did an outstanding effort in the Kentucky Derby take out of him?

JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Whit Beckman

3. Crupper (30-1): Won the Bathhouse Row Stakes to earn a spot in the field but will need to take a big step forward to be competitive here.

JOCKEY: Junior Alvarado; TRAINER: Donnie Von Hemel

4. Robusta (30-1): Comes off dull efforts in the Kentucky Derby and the Santa Anita Derby, losing by a combined 33 ½ lengths. Pass.

JOCKEY: Rafael Bejarano; TRAINER: Doug O’Neill

5. Talkin (20-1): Was third in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes and trainer Danny Gargan says he’s ready to run the race of his life here. Was second to Napoleon Solo in the Champagne Stakes last year, so he’s multiple Grade 1 stakes-placed, but he was  beaten by nearly 13 lengths in the Blue Grass. A plus is having jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.

JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Danny Gargan

6. Chip Honcho (5-1): Lost by a half-length in the Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes to Paladin, who was the winter-book favorite for the Kentucky Derby before he was injured. Skipped the Kentucky Derby after finishing fifth in the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby. Has worked quickly since then. Should be part of a crowded early pace scenario and has the potential to hang around until the end.

JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen

7. The Hell We Did (15-1): Could be hampered by the distance. Stretched out beyond six furlongs for the first time and weakened late to finish second in the 1 1/16-mile Stonestreet Lexington Stakes. Is a son of Authentic who was second in the 2020 Preakness and won the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic, and that may help his chances.

JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Todd Fincher

8. Bull by the Horns (30-1): His lone stakes win was on an all-weather surface in the Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park. Lost by nearly 20 lengths in the Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes on dirt, which does not bode well for his chances here.

JOCKEY: Micah Husbands; TRAINER: Saffie Joseph Jr.

9. Iron Honor (9-2): He’s the morning-line favorite despite finishing seventh in the Wood Memorial. Won the Gotham Stakes before that and had a wide, troubled trip in the Wood. Trainer Chad Brown is following the same Wood Memorial to the Preakness path that has netted him two Preakness wins already. Hat trick anyone?

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Chad Brown

10. Napoleon Solo (9-2): He could be the speed of the speed off what we saw last year in the one-mile Champagne Stakes when he reeled off six furlongs in 1:07.88. Has yet to return to that form in two two-turn tries this year, but there was rust and a foot bruise that impacted him in the Fountain of Youth and Wood Memorial. Has been training brilliantly and could be dangerous if the other speedsters back off.

JOCKEY: Paco Lopez; TRAINER: Chad Summers

Incredibolt (Coady Media)

11. Corona de Oro (30-1): Set the pace in the Lexington Stakes and faded to third. Faces a tough challenge here with several highly speedy entrants.

JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Dallas Stewart

12. Incredibolt (5-1): Was a last-minute entry after a very creditable sixth in the Kentucky Derby despite being bumped in the stretch. Was an easy winner of the Virginia Derby Presented by New Kent County before that and a clean trip and repeat of his run for the roses try could put him in the winner’s circle.

JOCKEY: Jaime Torres; TRAINER: Riley Mott

13. Great White (15-1): He’s fine after flipping behind the starting gate at the Kentucky Derby. The viral incident could attract some added wagering interest but you can’t ignore he was fifth by 22 ¼ lengths in the Blue Grass Stakes while racing on dirt for the only time.

JOCKEY: Alex Achard; TRAINER: John Ennis

14. Pretty Boy Miah (15-1): Comes off fleet wins in allowance optional claimer and maiden races in New York. Has yet to race beyond a mile and faces a tough challenge here from the outside post.

JOCKEY: Ricardo Santana Jr.; TRAINER: Jeremiah Englehart

THE PICK: Incredibolt

LIVE LONGSHOT: Talkin

SUPERFECTA: 12-9-10-5