Preparation underway at Laurel Park for 151st Preakness Stakes Workers are actively preparing the mile-long racecourse at Laurel Park in Laurel, Md., on May 11, 2026, as the 151st Preakness Stakes approaches. This marks the first time the historic race, the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, will be held outside its traditional home at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Ongoing renovations at Pimlico have necessitated the relocation, with Laurel Park set to host the event for the first time. Crews are finalizing track and barn preparations to accommodate an expected full field of 14 horses. Mike Rogers, executive vice president of 1/ST Racing, which operates Laurel Park and oversees the event, expressed enthusiasm about the move. “All eyes are going to be on Laurel next weekend, so it’s going to be pretty exciting,” he said. The race’s shift to Laurel has sparked both anticipation and some skepticism among traditionalists, but Rogers emphasized the Preakness’s enduring identity. “Horses and horse racing are deep in the roots of Maryland,” he stated. “The Preakness has been around for 151 years, and it’s not going anywhere.” Among the horses arriving at Laurel Park this week is Ocelli, who finished third in the Kentucky Derby. However, the Derby winner, Immersive, will not compete in the Preakness after its connections decided the turnaround from Louisville to Baltimore was too quick. Rogers described the decision as “a gut punch” for fans, though he noted the race’s popularity remains strong. “We’re going to have a full field of 14 horses Saturday,” he said. “From a horse perspective, the interest has been greater than we’ve seen in the past.” The logistical changes for the 2026 Preakness are significant.#maryland #laurel_park #preakness_stakes #1st_racing #pimlico_race_course
