Triple Crown Preview: Kentucky Derby, Preakness & Belmont History and Betting

The 2026 Triple Crown season is quickly approaching, bringing renewed excitement to one of horse racing’s most prestigious traditions.

The three-race series, comprised of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, tests the endurance and class of three-year-old thoroughbreds over a five-week span. Winning all three races remains one of the rarest achievements in sports, with only 13 horses ever completing the Triple Crown.

The action begins in early May and runs through early June, with bettors and racing fans closely tracking contenders, odds movement, and potential storylines that could lead to a historic run. Popular sportsbook like FanDuel and DraftKings offer plenty of betting on the track action.

Key Details for the 2026 Triple Crown

Each race offers its own unique identity, distance, and venue:

• Kentucky Derby (May 2)
  • Location: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
  • Distance: 1 and 1/4 miles
• Preakness Stakes (May 16)
  • Location: Laurel Park, Maryland (usually Pimlico Race Course)
  • Distance: 1 and 3/16 miles
• Belmont Stakes (June 6)
  • Location: Saratoga Race Course, New York (usually Belmont Park)
  • Distance: traditionally 1 1/2 miles (shortened during Belmont Park renovations)

The 2026 edition is notable due to temporary venue changes, with both the Preakness and Belmont relocated because of track renovations.

Last Year’s Winners and Betting Odds

The 2025 Triple Crown produced strong performances but no sweep. Here’s a look at last year’s results:

• Kentucky Derby 2025
  • Winner: Sovereignty
  • Final odds: Approximately 2 to 1
• Preakness Stakes 2025
  • Winner: Journalism
  • Final odds: Around 8 to 5
• Belmont Stakes 2025
  • Winner: Sovereignty
  • Final odds: About 3 to 2

Sovereignty’s two-leg victory highlighted the challenge of winning all three races, especially with some horses opting to skip races due to the tight schedule.

Betting Outlook for 2026

As the 2026 races approach, early futures markets are beginning to take shape, with several contenders drawing interest from bettors.

Odds for the Kentucky Derby often fluctuate significantly in the weeks leading up to the race, with some horses opening as longshots before gaining momentum.

For example, early Derby contenders have been listed in the 20-1 to 30-1 range, offering potential value for bettors looking to identify rising prospects before odds shorten.

Betting options across the Triple Crown include win, place, and show bets, along with exotic wagers like exactas, trifectas, and multi-race parlays that can yield larger payouts.

Where to Watch the Triple Crown

Fans can watch all three Triple Crown races across major U.S. broadcasters. The Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes are traditionally aired on NBC and streamed via Peacock, while the Belmont Stakes is typically broadcast on FOX.

The Triple Crown remains one of the most compelling spectacles in sports, blending history, strategy, and unpredictability. With changing venues in 2026 and a new crop of contenders emerging, this year’s races promise to deliver drama on the track and in the betting markets.