Laurel-based Federico Tesio Stakes winner Taj Mahal is basking in his celebrity status, trainer Brittany Russell says, as he prepares for the Preakness.
Kentucky Derby champ Golden Tempo will bypass the May 16 Preakness and point instead to the Belmont Stakes, his trainer said in a statement.
A total of $150,000 in bonuses will be available to trainers at Laurel over Preakness weekend, split between stakes and non-stakes races.
Two new names, Kentucky Derby show horse Ocelli and Corona de Oro, who did not draw into the Derby, are now under Preakness consideration.
It’s looking like the May 16 Preakness will have a larger field than usual, as, though few Derby runners are eyeing it, plenty of others are.
When Preakness future wagering closed, undefeated Pat Day Mile winner Crude Velocity was the solid favorite.
Gun Runner Stakes winner Chip Honcho, whose 49 points put him squarely in the Kentucky Derby starting gate, will skip that race and await the Preakness.
Churchill Downs’s purchase of the Preakness IP rights has some fearing the worst, others hoping for the best, and could mean not much at all.
The Belinda Stronach era of Maryland racing ends with neither a bang nor a whimper, but a “what just happened?”
The Preakness future wager kicks off Saturday and runs until shortly before the May 2 Kentucky Derby.