Taj Mahal earned his way into the $2 million Preakness Stakes (G1), the second jewel of the Triple Crown, with a dominant performance April 18 in the $150,000 Federico Tesio Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles at Laurel Park.
"This is our horse. He was awesome today. The jockey did a good job," beamed winning trainer Brittany Russell, who had a four-win afternoon on Saturday's 12-race "Preakness Preview Day" program.
"The jockey" is Brittany's husband, Sheldon Russell, who won three races and sent Taj Mahal to the lead from the far outside post in the 10-horse Federico Tesio.
Showing brilliant early foot, Taj Mahal cleared to the rail before the halfway point of the clubhouse turn and opened a 4-length lead after an opening quarter in :23.93.
Freewheeling on the backstretch, Taj Mahal was 10 lengths ahead of a shell-shocked Volendam after a half-mile clocking of :47.80.
Sheldon Russell allowed the colt a breather entering the far turn. They completed 6 furlongs in 1:14.30, but that brought Volendam, Wild Warrior, and Let's Go Lando into contention.
For a second, it looked like Taj Mahal's tank was empty but, in the blink of an eye, he found another gear. Amid the crowd's oohs and aahs, Taj Mahal bounded home, 8 1/4 lengths better than Wild Warrior, in 1:52.92 for the 1 1/8 miles on the fast track.
Let's Go Lando finished third, 1 1/4 lengths behind stablemate Wild Warrior.
Favored Taj Mahal returned $4.40 to win.
Bred in Florida by Vegso Racing Stable, Taj Mahal is a bay colt by Nyquist , out of stakes-placed Oola Gal, by Quality Road . Purchased for $525,000 as a yearling, Taj Mahal is owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Bashor Racing, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan.
Video: Federico Tesio S. (BT)
Cruise the Nile earns first stakes victory in Henry S. Clark
Heading into the $100,000 Henry S. Clark Stakes for 3-year-olds and up, racing 1 mile on the turf, handicappers knew Cruise the Nile had speed and natural ability.
But how would he fare against another speed horse?
That question was answered in the affirmative when Cruise the Nile and jockey Jorge Ruiz rallied from off the pace to nip Horsepower by a neck in 1:33.85 on the firm turf course.
Cruise the Nile, the betting favorite, paid $4.40 to win. Bartlett held third.
Cruise the Nile is a 4-year-old gelding by Cairo Prince , out of the stakes-winning Into Mischief mare Party Boat.
Bred in New Jersey, Cruise the Nile is a homebred owned by Hope Jones and trained by Graham Motion.
Video: Henry S. Clark S. (BT)
Outlaw Kid reigns in King T. Leatherbury Stakes
Benefiting from an electric pace and a wonderful ride by Ruiz, Outlaw Kid returned firing in his first start of the year to win the $100,000 King T. Leatherbury Stakes for 3-year-olds and up, covering 5 1/2 furlongs in a 1:01.59 on the turf.
Outlaw Kid, a 7-year-old gelding by Violence , saved ground in midpack as multiple stakes winner Doncho and the speedy Jean Valjean blitzed through the opening quarter in :22.08.
Ruiz spied an opening along the inside as they turned into the long stretch, and Outlaw Kid lengthened his stride. Forced to briefly angle outside a tiring Doncho, Ruiz immediately maneuvered his mount back to the rail, and they stormed home to win by a neck over multiple stakes winner Chasing Liberty.
Whenigettoheaven rallied for third, a length behind Chasing Liberty.
Outlaw Kid, owned by R. A. Hill Stable and SGV Thoroughbreds and trained by George Weaver, paid $24 to win.
