Preakness Preview Day Showcases Stakes Action Ahead of Historic Preakness

Preakness Preview Day showcases stakes action ahead of historic Preakness

Preakness Preview Day promises a full afternoon of racing and a ton of excitement at Laurel Park on Saturday. “We have 12 races beginning at noon. We have five stakes races worth $600,000 in purse money,” Dan Illman, with the Maryland Jockey Club said. “The winner of the Federico Tessio Stakes gets an automatic entry into the Preakness.” With Pimlico Race Course undergoing construction, Illman believes people are going to be interested in seeing…

Unbeaten Taj Mahal Romps in Preakness Qualifier at Laurel

Taj Mahal (Nyquist) led them every step of the way while making his two-turn debut to romp in the $150,000 Federico Tesio S. at Laurel Park, a “Win and You're In” qualifier for the GI Preakness Stakes. The 6-5 favorite cleared the field of 10 from his outside draw and it was pretty much over from there. He was well clear through fractions of :23.93 and :47.80. The advantage shrunk to about a length on the far turn, but he had another gear. The $…

Taj Mahal dominates Federico Tesio, earns Preakness berth

Taj Mahal punched his ticket to the $2 million Preakness Stakes with a runaway 8 1/4-length romp Saturday in the $150,000 Federico Tesio Stakes, the local prep for the middle jewel of the Triple Crown contested at 1 1/8 miles for 3-year-olds at Laurel Park. The Brittany Russell-trained colt earned an automatic berth into the May 16 classic, set this year for Laurel Park, through the "Win Today-See You in May" program, provided he is nominated to…