Taj Mahal to be pointed to the Preakness
Undefeated colt dominated the Tesio
The Biz
April 20, 2026
Undefeated 3-year-old Taj Mahal stamped himself as a contender for the 151st Preakness Stakes with a dominant, front-running performance in the Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Park, earning an automatic berth into the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown.
In the aftermath, his connections said they intended to take advantage of the opportunity and point their undefeated colt to the Preakness.
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Making his two-turn debut, Taj Mahal overwhelmed his rivals by 8 ¼ lengths, showcasing both early speed and the ability to finish strongly—qualities that have connections optimistic about stretching out to 1 3/16 miles on May 16. The Tesio has now awarded the winner a free berth to the Preakness for 11 consecutive years, and Taj Mahal took full advantage.
“It was really impressive,” trainer Brittany Russell said in a release. “You want to see a really big run from him to give you confidence that he should go on to the Preakness, and I do. I feel like he did that.”
Breaking from the far outside post, Taj Mahal was hustled to the lead by jockey Sheldon Russell, opening up by as many as 10 lengths before being asked for more in the stretch. When challengers briefly cut into the margin during the third quarter-mile, the colt responded decisively, pulling away again strongly.
Brittany Russell credited husband – and jockey – Sheldon Russell.
“He said he knew he had horse the whole time,” she said. “He was just trying to give him a breather because he ran so hard. He said he was just hard on his hands the first part of the race, so he had to give him a chance to take a breath. He knew he had gears.”
The effort earned Taj Mahal a career-best 91 Beyer Speed Figure, and Tom Ryan of co-owner SF Racing echoed the excitement in a post on X, noting the colt’s ability to clear from post 10, open a massive lead, and still finish strongly. “A lot to like about this colt—his family, his physical, [his sire] Nyquist… Proud of this horse and this whole journey. Thrilled he’s heading to the Preakness!”
Taj Mahal’s path to this point has been anything but linear. By Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, the colt began his career under Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert in California but failed to progress. After being transferred to Russell last fall, patience proved key.
“California just never clicked for him,” Ryan explained. “A clean bone scan confirmed nothing physical was holding him back — he just needed to build his confidence.”
That confidence has come quickly. After a 4 ¼-length debut win, Taj Mahal returned two weeks later to capture the Miracle Wood Stakes, and then took another step forward in the Tesio. Russell has been particularly struck by his demeanor since the latest victory.
“He’s just got some kind of air about him right now. He knows he’s the man,” she said, adding, “He’s as confident as a horse can be… making sure everybody was looking at him.”
The colt’s familiarity with Laurel Park could prove a subtle but meaningful edge. With the Preakness being run at Laurel during renovations at Pimlico Race Course, Taj Mahal will enjoy the rare advantage of contesting a Triple Crown race over his home track without the stress of shipping.
For Russell, Maryland’s leading trainer in recent years, the Preakness will mark her first starter in a Triple Crown race.
“He’s walking out of his own stall,” she said. “He’s never left his stall in his barn at Laurel. On the big day, for him to be able to have the chance to do it at home, I’d love to think it’s a major advantage. No traveling or anything.”
Twenty-four Tesio winners have gone on to contest the Preakness, but only Deputed Testamony, in 1983, swept the two races.
Now unbeaten in three starts and improving with each outing, Taj Mahal enters the Preakness not just as a local hopeful, but as a rapidly developing colt whose best may still be ahead.
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