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 the Triple Crown. The victory capped a four-win afternoon for the trainer on the 12-race "Preakness Preview Day" card.

"This is our horse. He was awesome today. The jockey did a good job," Brittany Russell said.

The jockey was her husband, Sheldon Russell, who tallied three wins of his own on the program. He drew the outermost post in the 10-horse field aboard the 6-5 favorite and immediately had to think about strategy.

"The outside post is always going to be a worry," Sheldon Russell said. "I've rode a lot of races here, and I've lost a lot from that outside post. The goal was not to make the lead because we had the outside post. The plan was that this might be the race where something else does the dirty work, and he looms outside. He warmed up like he was going to break out of there and do something. He was there for me the second, third, fourth jump, and he wouldn't stop until he got across."

Taj Mahal sprinted to the front and crossed to the rail before the field reached the midway point of the clubhouse turn, opening four lengths through an opening quarter-mile in 23.93 seconds. He extended his advantage to 10 lengths past Volendam through a half in 47.80 and 12 1/2 lengths through three-quarters of a mile in 1:14.30.

A breather on the far turn allowed Volendam, Wild Warrior and Let's Go Lando to close some ground, but Taj Mahal had plenty left in reserve. He kicked clear again in the stretch under a hand ride, getting the trip in 1:52.92 on the fast main track.

"At the half-mile pole, he took a deep breath, and I knew once I could hear them coming, I could rev him back up," Sheldon Russell said.

Wild Warrior (7-1) bumped at the start, saved ground on the first turn and tipped three wide leaving the far turn under Yedsit Hazlewood. He ran on willingly to take second for trainer Gary Capuano, finishing 1 1/4 lengths in front of stablemate Let's Go Lando. Paco Lopez had the third-place finisher along the rail throughout.

Volendam came home fourth a neck behind, followed by Hixon, Code of Silence, Higher Sense, Close the Gate, Classic Nofty and Chayton.

A Florida-bred bay colt by Nyquist, Taj Mahal is out of the stakes-placed Quality Road mare Oola Gal. Bred by Vegso Racing Stable, he sold for $525,000 as a yearling. He runs for SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Bashor Racing, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan.

Taj Mahal began his career with Bob Baffert in Southern California before transferring to Brittany Russell. Now 3-for-3, he won his Feb. 6 debut going six furlongs, then took the Miracle Wood Stakes at a mile on 13 days rest, holding off Let's Go Lando by a neck in a furious stretch drive. The colt was originally targeting the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct on April 4 before a setback altered the plan.

"We sprinted him because he showed us signs that he was ready to run," Sheldon Russell said. "He didn't get away the best. He was all class. You could tell from that day he was something special."

"We had a very minor setback that forced us to miss the Wood, and I'm so thankful that the owners let me take my time," Brittany Russell said.

The Federico Tesio is named for the noted Italian breeder, owner and trainer whose homebreds Nearco and Ribot still influence Thoroughbred bloodlines worldwide. A total of 24 Tesio winners have started in the Preakness, with Pay Billy in 2025 the most recent. Maryland-bred Deputed Testamony remains the only horse to sweep both races, doing so in 1983.

Taj Mahal returned $4.40, $3.20 and $2.20. Wild Warrior paid $6.20 and $4.20. Let's Go Lando came back at $3.20 to show.