Florida-bred colt earns fees-paid berth into Grade 1 Preakness Stakes
BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Florida-bred Taj Mahal improved his record to three-for-three with an impressive gate-to-wire victory in the $150,000 Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Park Saturday, earning a fees-paid berth into the 151st running of the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes on May 16 over the same track. Nine other 3-year-olds chased Taj Mahal throughout the mile-and-one-eighth but never seriously challenged the 6-5 favorite as jockey Sheldon Russell took the bay son of Nyquist to an easy victory.
Russell had Taj Mahal on the lead immediately from post 10 and was able to get over to the rail midway around the clubhouse turn. Taj Mahal was in control through a :23.93 first quarter mile, four lengths clear of Volendam in second, and continued to stretch that margin to 10 lengths while comfortably finishing a half mile in :47.80. Volendam got to within a length of Taj Mahal for an instant at the three-eighths marker but Russell gave him a subtle cue and he suddenly sprinted clear again. Taj Mahal was four lengths in front at the top of the stretch and galloped home to win by eight-and-a-quarter lengths in 1:54.54 on the fast track.
Wild Warrior was second, a length-and-a-quarter faster than Let’s Go Lando in third. Volendam, Hixon, Code of Silence, Higher Sense, Close the Gate, Classic Nofty and Chayton completed the order of finish.
Trained by Brittany Russell, Taj Mahal paid $4.40 to win.
Taj Mahal broke his maiden at Laurel by four-and-a-half lengths at first asking on February 6 then promptly won the $100,000 Miracle Wood by a neck over a sloppy mile two weeks later.
He more than doubled his career earnings with the Tesio win to $178,200 while also earning a $4,000 Export Incentive for breeder Peter Vegso’s Vegso Racing Stable located in Ocala. The Export Incentive is paid by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association for the out-of-state victory.
Taj Mahal is owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Bashor Racing, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Wavers Edge Capital and Catherine Donavan. He was a $525,000 purchase at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by bloodstock agent Donato Lanni on behalf of Starlight Racing and Madaket Stable. Eaton Sales consigned him.
Taj Mahal is out of the stakes-placed Quality Road mare Oola Gal, a half-sister to stakes-producer Lemon Gal. Oola Gal has two starters, both winners, from five foals. An unnamed Florida-bred full sister to Taj Mahal was a $375,000 RNA at last year’s Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Oola Gal has an unnamed yearling filly, by Up to the Mark; and a weanling filly by Arabian Knight.
Taj Mahal is the first Florida-bred winner of the Federico Tesio since Xchanger in 2007 when the race was run at Pimlico Race Course.
Return to the April 18 issue of Wire to Wire
