Taj Mahal, the major local hope heading into the upcoming Preakness Stakes

Undefeated on the track and winner of the Federico Tesio Stakes, he heads into Saturday’s race dreaming of pulling off the upset

LAUREL, Maryland (Special to Turf Diario).- The Preakness Stakes (G1) scene has a new local protagonist arriving with momentum firmly on his side. Undefeated Taj Mahal, one of Maryland’s major hopes, passed his final serious test ahead of the May 16 classic with a five-furlong workout Saturday over the Laurel Park surface. Under the watchful eye of trainer Brittany Russell, the son of Nyquist stopped the clock in 1:00, displaying the kind of sharpness that has local fans dreaming as the second jewel of the Triple Crown rapidly approaches.

The bay colt worked in company with Regalo (Maximus Mischief), a durable 5-year-old gelding who served as the measuring stick for the move. After fractions of :12 1/5, :24 1/5, and :48, Taj Mahal effortlessly outworked his partner, continuing strongly through a six-furlong gallop-out in 1:12 4/5.

“I feel great. We got through the assignment,” Russell said afterward. “He looked really good and came back to the barn relaxed; he’s happy, and that’s all you can ask for at this stage.”

The mount aboard the unbeaten colt for the 1900 meters of the Preakness will go to Sheldon Russell, Brittany’s husband and a six-time leading rider at Laurel, who has piloted Taj Mahal in all three of his victories. Interestingly, Sheldon rode Regalo in the workout to gain a different perspective on his regular partner.

“He looked very good from where I was sitting,” the rider commented. “Regalo is a great workmate and helped keep him focused.”

Taj Mahal secured his spot in the Preakness with a crushing 8 1/4-length victory in the Federico Tesio Stakes (L), which granted him an automatic berth into the race. His spotless record began with a winning debut in February and continued with a game score in the Miracle Wood Stakes (L), making the SF Racing runner the hometown horse in what will be a unique edition of the Preakness, temporarily relocated to Laurel Park while Pimlico undergoes reconstruction.

His aggressive front-running style has been carefully molded in the mornings by exercise rider Alex Beitia, whom Russell credits as a key figure in the colt’s development.

“He knows him better than anyone because he rides him every day,” Russell explained. “We try to keep things simple and make sure the horse arrives next Saturday with all his energy.”

As Preakness week begins, Taj Mahal’s connections will also be keeping a close eye on the weather forecast. While the current plan calls for walking Sunday and a light jog Monday, Russell acknowledged that flexibility remains important.

“If tomorrow he’s bouncing around his stall full of energy, he’ll go to the track,” she said. “We’re taking it day by day, especially with rain being forecast in the area.”

With high-profile defections such as Golden Tempo (Curlin) and Crude Velocity (Beau Liam), the presence of an unbeaten local colt who knows every inch of the Laurel surface suddenly takes on enormous significance.

Can Taj Mahal follow in the footsteps of Maryland dirt specialists of the past and protect his unbeaten record against the invaders shipping in from New York and Florida?