The 151st Preakness Stakes will take place tomorrow at Laurel Park, Maryland. While the Triple Crown isn’t on the line, an unusual factor is at play—neither of the top two finishers from the Kentucky Derby, Golden Tempo and Renegade, will compete. This absence opens up the race to a wider field of contenders.
Steve Kornacki, NBC News’ Chief Data Analyst, will offer insights and live blogging during the event. Although the focus of tomorrow’s race will be intense, it won’t come from its usual backdrop at Pimlico in Baltimore. That venue is undergoing demolition and reconstruction, which is expected to be completed by next year. For 2023, the Preakness has been relocated to Laurel Park, situated 20 miles south of Baltimore and somewhat unfamiliar to many leading domestic trainers.
Preakness Preview
This marks only the second time in four decades that the top two Derby horses are absent from the Preakness race. Furthermore, no horses have won a Grade 1 or 2 race this year, contributing to the event’s lack of star power.
Despite its diminished profile in terms of famous participants, the 2023 Preakness boasts quantity, with 14 horses registered to run—the highest number in the last 15 years. This development makes the race particularly enticing for betting enthusiasts, as a lack of standout names suggests the outcome is truly up for grabs.
Among the notable entrants is Iron Honor, trained by two-time Preakness winner Chad Brown. Another contender, Ocelli, finished third in the Derby, and Taj Mahal is notable for having a husband-and-wife team as trainers and jockey. Kornacki has analyzed these factors and has favorites lined up for the race.
World Cup Countdown
As we gear up for the 2026 World Cup, a spotlight is on South Korea’s Son Heung-min, a standout player. Recent headlines highlighted his transition from Tottenham Hotspur to LAFC, joining Major League Soccer with a contract extending through next year. Standing six feet tall, Son is often regarded as the most prominent Asian player in soccer and holds immense popularity in his home country, to the extent that he has been described by the Los Angeles Times as “more popular than K-pop.”
Having started his career in Germany with Hamburger SV and Bayer Leverkusen, Son joined Spurs in 2015, amassing 454 appearances. In his last year at the club, he captained the team to a major victory in the UEFA Europa League, ending a 17-year trophy drought for the club.
Son’s leadership on the pitch stems from his versatility and creative playmaking abilities, never shying away from adapting to various roles as needed. His impressive strides translate into speed, making him a formidable competitor no matter where he lines up.
Despite being a former Premier League Golden Boot winner, Son has faced challenges in finding the net recently, yet he stands out in the MLS for his assist tally. As South Korea prepares for its fourth World Cup appearance, the team must contend with formidable opponents like host nation Mexico during the group stage.
Premier League Preview
As Arsenal approaches its final games, the Premier League trophy is tantalizingly close, with the team sitting just two points behind leaders Manchester City. Arsenal plays its final home match of the season against relegated Burnley, and fans are eager to celebrate a possible title.
Expectations are high for Arsenal to secure a decisive victory against Burnley. A win would set the stage for a dramatic final day of the season, watching for Man City as they face Bournemouth just 24 hours later.
For Arsenal to maintain title hopes, winning their remaining two matches is imperative. With a narrow goal difference separating them and City, every point and goal scored will critically influence the outcome of the championship.
What We Are Reading
In the current news cycle, an inspiring story reveals how a Japanese teenager learned to kick a field goal through YouTube and has now made it to the NFL. Additionally, the NFL unveiled its schedule for the 2026 season, highlighting the top ten games to mark on the calendar.
In other updates, a reflection on Shedule Sanders’ challenging rookie year with the Cleveland Browns surfaces in the news, alongside the impact Brittany Russell may have at the upcoming Preakness Stakes. The Buffalo Sabers struggle once again as goaltender Ukko-Pekka Lukkonen faced setbacks in their recent game against the Montreal Canadiens.
What We See
Tonight marks Game 6 for two significant NBA conference semifinals. The Detroit Pistons, top-seeded in the Eastern Conference, find themselves in a tight situation against the Cleveland Cavaliers. After a strong comeback in an earlier series, they now trail 3-2 and face elimination if they cannot secure victories in the upcoming matches.
Similarly, the Minnesota Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards, also confront elimination against the second-seeded San Antonio Spurs. Due to injuries, including a significant absence for guard Donte DiVincenzo, Minnesota’s chances hinge on Edwards’ ability to perform at peak levels as they aim for a pivotal Game 7.
All times are in Eastern Time: 7 p.m.: No. 1 Detroit Pistons vs. No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers, available on Amazon Prime; 9:30 p.m.: No. 2 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves, available on Amazon Prime.
This wraps up our current highlights. Updates will continue to unfold as events progress over the coming days.
