The Road: Taj Mahal Carries Maryland's Preakness Hopes

Home-field advantage is present in most sports. Athletes often perform better in comfortable settings and within established routines. Even in Thoroughbred horse racing, racing at home is deemed an advantage. Some horses prefer familiar environments and certain surfaces. And yet, despite the Preakness Stakes (G1) being Maryland's signature Thoroughbred race, home-track advantage has mattered remarkably little for Maryland horses in the modern era of the second leg of the Triple Crown. Not since Deputed Testamony in 1983 has a Maryland-based horse captured the Preakness, though some have hit the board in the four decades since. But if there has ever been a year for a Maryland-based runner to narrow the gap, the May 16 Preakness seems the right race to do so. The 2026 Preakness lacks an established star after the connections of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Golden Tempo withdrew him from consideration. Aside from Derby show finisher Ocelli, who was the largest price in the Derby field at more than 70-1 odds, no runner from the first leg of the Triple Crown is expected to wheel back on two weeks rest for the 1 3/16-mile classic. That presents an opportunity for others, among them the local horse Taj Mahal, who is unbeaten in three starts over the Laurel Park surface, most recently taking the April 18 Federico Tesio Stakes. The Tesio was also captured by Deputed Testamony ahead of the Preakness. Had the Preakness been run at its traditional home at Pimlico Race Course, Taj Mahal would have needed to switch tracks for the Preakness. But because of the ongoing reconstruction of Pimlico, the 151st Preakness instead will be contested at Laurel—familiar surroundings for the colt. Though Taj Mahal has yet to face graded stakes company, he possesses both the pedigree and physical profile to suggest upside. The colt is by Nyquist, the 2016 Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness third-place finisher, and was purchased for $525,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by partners that now include SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Bashor Racing, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan. Many of those same connections have succeeded at the highest stakes levels with horses, including National Treasure, the 2023 Preakness winner for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. While Baffert is their principal trainer, he is not their only one. Brittany Russell, who conditions Taj Mahal, is also a multiple stakes-winning trainer for the partnership. Under her care, Taj Mahal quickly established himself as one of the more exciting 3-year-olds on the Laurel grounds. He debuted Feb. 6 against maidens and overcame a sluggish beginning to draw away by 4 1/4 lengths, hinting at significant upside. Russell next wheeled him back just 15 days later in the Miracle Wood Stakes at a mile, where he displayed a different dimension, showing speed from the outset and fighting gamely to prevail by a neck. Then came his breakout performance in the Federico Tesio. Taj Mahal quickly cleared the field in the 1 1/8-mile race under Sheldon Russell—one of Maryland's top riders and Brittany Russell's husband—and established command entering the clubhouse turn. The free-running colt opened up a 10-length advantage after a half-mile before relaxing around the far turn as the pack closed in. But when challengers got within range of him at the quarter pole, Taj Mahal responded. He accelerated away from them to notch an 8 1/4-length victory. And in a year when the Preakness itself will be contested over that same track, that Laurel familiarity could prove meaningful as he ascends the class ladder.