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Taj Mahal comes into the Preakness Stakes promising a payout of $500 for every $100 bet
He is one of a handful of co-favorites with 5-1 odds running in this year's Preakness Stakes race
The undefeated Taj Mahal comes into this weekend's Preakness Stakes race as a 5-1 favorite. He's also undefeated at Laurel Park, where this year's Preakness Stakes is taking place.
He is trained by Brittany Russell and ridden by Sheldon Russell. This will be Russell's first time entering a starter in a Triple Crown race.
Taj Mahal earned a career-best 92 Beyer Speed Figure in the Federico Tesio and is known for his tactical speed but also drew the No. 1 post, which some observers believe could prove challenging.
Russell is one of the top riders on the Mid-Atlantic circuit and the husband of trainer Russell. He is a longtime Maryland-based jockey with multiple leading rider titles at Laurel Park. Taj Mahal will be his 4th appearance in the Preakness Stakes. His best previous Preakness finish was fifth in 2023 aboard Chase the Chaos.
“Taj Mahal is a local horse that has won all three starts he’s made at Laurel Park.” the New York Post racing preview noted. “Continued to improve with wins in the Miracle Wood and then in a dominant victory at the Federico Tesio.”
2026 Preakness Stakes Odds
Odds Courtesy of BetPhoenix
Post Horse Odds
1 Taj Mahal 5-1
2 Ocelli 6-1
3 Crupper 30-1
4 Robusta 30-1
5 Talkin 20-1
6 Chip Honcho 5-1
7 The Hell We Did 15-1
8 Bull By The Horns 30-1
9 Iron Honor 9-2
10 Napoleon Solo 8-1
11 Corono De Oro 30-1
12 Incredibolt 5-1
13 Great White 15-1
14 Pretty Boy Miah 15-1
- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com
