Blue Grass show horse Talkin pointed to Preakness
Lexington runner-up also under consideration
The Biz
April 12, 2026
Trainer Danny Gargan, who won the Belmont Stakes with Dornoch in 2024, is targeting another Triple Crown victory with Talkin in the Preakness Stakes on May 16 at Laurel Park.
Talkin, a son of Good Magic, exits a third-place finish in the Blue Grass Stakes and was always being pointed to the Preakness rather than the Kentucky Derby. Gargan believes the shorter distance and smaller field will better suit the colt, who he describes as average-sized and not suited to the rigors of a 20-horse Derby field. He’s aiming for a cleaner trip and expects Joel Rosario to ride.
This article contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may earn a commission at no extra charge to you.
Pick up reliable and rewarding tickets for major events!
“I want to win another Triple Crown race,” Gargan said. “He fits the smaller field. I think he’ll like that track. It’s a shorter distance. He really doesn’t want to go a mile and a quarter, probably. Hopefully that’s the race he can jump up and run big.”
Talkin will likely train at Keeneland before shipping to Laurel, where Gargan also plans to run several others, including Snowyte and Golden Tornado.
From the Lexington Stakes, winner Trendsetter is not Triple Crown-nominated and will skip the Preakness, but runner-up The Hell We Did could still go. Trendsetter’s trainer, Ben Colebrook, ruled out supplementing Trendsetter to the Preakness, according to a Stronach Group release.
The Hell We Did’s trainer Todd Fincher said the colt showed promise stretching out and could improve with more distance, though no decision has been made.
“I had envisioned a great race and a win, and then go to the Preakness, but that is a long way away,” Fincher said. “We have options. We’ll talk with the owners and decide. I think the next time he goes two turns, he’ll be a lot better.”
Pick up reliable and rewarding tickets for major events!
LATEST NEWS
