Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen believes the 151st running of the Preakness Stakes presents a genuine opportunity for Chip Honcho, who is set to reunite with jockey Jose Ortiz at Laurel Park on May 16 following the Kentucky Derby success of Golden Tempo.
With Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo bypassing the second leg of the Triple Crown in favour of a June target in the Belmont Stakes, attention has quickly shifted toward a competitive and open-looking Preakness field. Among those drawing significant interest is Chip Honcho, whose earlier clashes with the Derby hero have offered encouragement to his connections despite inconsistent race-day performances.
Ortiz knows the colt well, having partnered him to his maiden victory at Churchill Downs last autumn for Asmussen. The rider also spent the winter riding extensively for the stable at Fair Grounds, where Chip Honcho crossed paths with Golden Tempo in several important Derby preps.
Chip Honcho closed his juvenile season with victory in the Gun Runner Stakes before finishing fourth in the Lecomte Stakes, second in the Risen Star Stakes and fifth in the Louisiana Derby, all races involving Golden Tempo.
Asmussen said the familiarity between horse and rider played a major role in bringing Ortiz back aboard for the Preakness assignment.
“He broke his maiden. He’s familiar with the horse,” Asmussen said. “Just through consistently working with Jose over the winter, you’re always discussing races and racehorses. It was his belief in Golden Tempo that proved true.”
Ortiz has become a trusted rider for the stable in recent seasons, including aboard stable star Magnitude, winner of the Dubai World Cup earlier this spring.
Still, Asmussen dismissed suggestions that previous form lines with the Kentucky Derby winner automatically translate into success at Laurel Park.
“It doesn’t do anything for your next race,” he said. “You have to be ready on the day.”
The trainer indicated that Chip Honcho’s temperament and comfort in a race environment had shaped the decision to wait for the Preakness rather than pursue the Derby trail more aggressively. This year’s race is being staged at Laurel Park while reconstruction work continues at Pimlico Race Course.
“It’s all about the afternoon,” Asmussen explained. “He handles extremely well in the morning, and he hasn’t handled exactly like we want some afternoons. When he handles the race environment and things go right, that’s what we want to get back to.”
Asmussen also described the 2026 Kentucky Derby as “the Curlin Derby,” highlighting the influence of champion sire Curlin throughout the Classic generation. Chip Honcho himself is by Connect, a son of Curlin who defeated Gun Runner in the Pennsylvania Derby during his racing career.
The 2026 Preakness Stakes field continues to take shape with several other notable contenders progressing toward Laurel Park.
Express Kid, trained by Justin Evans, recorded a sharp five-furlong workout at Lone Star Park as preparations intensified for the Classic assignment. The colt, purchased for $800,000 earlier this year following his Springboard Mile success, has not raced since finishing narrowly beaten in the Sunland Derby.
Evans reported satisfaction with the colt’s latest move after earlier setbacks interrupted his campaign.
“We’ve got to be on our ‘A’ game for a race like the Preakness,” Evans said. “He’s fresh, he’s doing good, and he seems like he’s going in the right direction.”
Another likely starter is Bull by the Horns, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr.. The colt enhanced his reputation with a dramatic late-running success in the Rushaway Stakes and could now skip the Peter Pan Stakes in favour of the Preakness.
Joseph believes the colt’s strong finishing style and improving form make him a compelling contender over the extended distance.
“Visually it was very important and the productivity of the race is even more important than numbers,” Joseph said.
Ocelli, one of the major talking points following the Kentucky Derby, is also expected to line up after finishing a fast-closing third at odds of more than 70-1. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione is set to retain the mount for trainer Whit Beckman.
The colt’s remarkable rise has attracted widespread attention after being purchased for only $12,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearling Sale. Legion Bloodstock partner Kyle Zorn said the ownership group focused on athleticism rather than fashion when selecting the colt.
“We look for athletes,” Zorn said. “He just had all the physical characteristics that we look for.”
Meanwhile, trainer John Ennis is still assessing whether Great White will take his place in the 2026 Preakness Stakes after the gelding was scratched from the Kentucky Derby following an incident behind the starting gate.
Ennis plans to personally supervise the horse’s final preparation before committing to the race.
“He has to be feeling good to go to the Preakness,” the trainer said.
With Golden Tempo absent and several improving three-year-olds converging on Laurel Park, the 2026 Preakness Stakes is shaping into one of the most intriguing renewals of recent years.
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