Four of eight horses in the Tesio Stakes are Maryland-bred, and five are Maryland-based, giving the locals what they hope will be a strong hand.
Maryland racing shifts to Pimlico’s Preakness meet April 22, giving Old Hilltop its longest meet since 2016 and stakes action that kicks off April 24.
It’s opening day at Pimlico! John Piassek shares his thoughts here.
Beyond the Wire winner Littlestitious stayed in Maryland longer than expected, but she’ll try to make the most of it Saturday in the Weber City Miss.
The Federico Tesio Stakes, the last local prep for the Preakness, will take place at Pimlico for the first time since 2015 when it’s run April 24.
King Fury likely will end up on the wrong side of the Kentucky Derby points cutoff; if so, it’ll be on to the Preakness, said trainer Ken McPeek.
The Chad Brown-trained Crowded Trade, third in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial, is being pointed to the Preakness, the trainer said.
With problems with the racing surface ongoing, Laurel Park will not race its scheduled cards this weekend, and racing will shift to Pimlico April 22.
Laurel Park will not permit workouts “until further notice” as the Maryland Jockey Club assesses “cushion replacement options,” the company said.
Maryland-bred Hello Hot Rod — training in Kentucky for Arizona-based owner George Sharp — will return home for a hoped-for Tesio-Preakness double.