Full Breakdown
2026 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes: Field, Odds, and Expert Outlook
5/16/2026, 2:08:09 AM
Event Overview
The Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes for three-year-old fillies will be run at Laurel Park, Maryland, on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 5:15 p.m. ET. The race opens Preakness Weekend and serves as a preparatory contest for the Preakness Stakes the following day.
Background & Context
Traditionally held the day before the Preakness, the Black-Eyed Susan is the filly counterpart to the Triple Crown’s middle leg. This year’s edition follows a Kentucky Derby in which winner Golden Tempo will skip the Preakness to target the Belmont Stakes, leaving the Preakness field open and increasing interest in the preceding Black-Eyed Susan.
Field and Odds
Ten fillies will contest the race. The morning-line odds list Jumping The Gun (3-1), Braken Poppa (7-2), My Miss Mo (7-2), A.P.’s Girl (5-2/5-1), Holly’s Holiday (6-1), Majestic Lucia (12-1), Ivy Girl (15-1), Haute Diva (15-1), Miss Fulton Gal (30-1) and Savor It (30-1).
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts question the field’s depth; the New York Post observes “the roughies in the Black-Eyed Susan do seem to leave a lot to be desired,” implying long-shot value.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Odds for A.P.’s Girl vary (5-2 vs. 5-1), showing a reporting inconsistency. Track condition, jockey assignments and purse details are not disclosed.
Expert Analysis
SportsLine handicapper Gene Menez, a former Sports Illustrated reporter, is “fading Jumping The Gun” and backs My Miss Mo, saying “She’ll be the one to catch.” He also cites a “big double-digit longshot who is ‘finally fit.’” New York Post bettor Michael Leboff calls Jumping The Gun’s recent third-place finish a “discount” on the race’s top contender.
Official Statements & Responses
NBC Sports said Black-Eyed Susan coverage starts at 5 p.m. ET on Peacock, with Larry Collmus as race caller. The broadcast will be hosted by Ahmed Fareed, with analysis from Jerry Bailey and Randy Moss, handicapping by Matt Bernier, and reporting by Britney Eurton, Donna Brothers, Kenny Rice and Nick Luck.
Verbatim Quotes
- “She'll be the one to catch,” Menez told SportsLine.
- “If you’re backing the favorite, you’re writing that clunker off as an outlier after a long layoff.”
- “3 Holly’s Holiday (6-1) If My Miss Mo, Braken Poppa, and Jumping the Gun suck up a lot of the value at the top, we could see Holly’s Holiday stick at 6-1 or lengthen, which is decent value against this field.”
What’s Next
The Preakness Stakes follows on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 4 p.m. ET; Black-Eyed Susan results will shape weekend betting.
