2026 Preakness Stakes: Chris 'The Bear' Fallica's Expert Picks, Best Bets

"Bear Bets" are real wagers that Chris "The Bear" Fallica is actually making.

The Preakness moves to Laurel for the year and with the new location comes 12 new runners to the Triple Crown trail, as only Ocelli and Incredibolt are running in the second jewel of the Triple Crown after starting in the Kentucky Derby.

It’s a wide open race with a 9-2 favorite on the Morning Line (Iron Honor) and a trio of 5-1 shots (Incredibolt, Chip Honcho and Taj Mahal). If you like one of those four horses, you’ll still get paid if they win. 

However, it does have the makings of the tote board lighting up, just as it did in the Derby.

Here are some thoughts on the race and how I’ll bet it, in an effort to get whole after a poor Derby!

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports .

Notes, Stats and Trends

Taj Mahal (1) certainly seems like the "now" horse for a lot of people. He’s 3-for-3, with each of his wins coming at Laurel, the last two in front-running fashion. Brittany Russell will try to make it consecutive Triple Crown races won by female trainers. I certainly don’t know what was behind Taj Mahal in any of those races, but this is a subpar Preakness in overall talent level. Taj Mahal will likely have company on the lead, and that probably isn’t a great thing, being Taj Mahal will be breaking from the rail. I’d expect a bunch of (3) Crupper, (4) Robusta, (6) Chip Honcho, (10) Napoleon Solo, (11) Corona de Oro and (14) Pretty Boy Miah to contest the early going. I expect Taj Mahal to go as a tepid favorite, and I will be standing against in the win pool.

Iron Honor (9) is a horse that