Taj Mahal is poised to make history at the 151st Preakness Stakes, and horse racing fans have every reason to sit up and take notice. This undefeated Maryland-based colt, trained by Brittany Russell, carries the hopes of becoming the first horse from the state to win the Preakness since the legendary Spectacular Bid in 1979. Even more compelling? Russell could become the first female trainer to capture this Triple Crown jewel.
Let's break down what makes Taj Mahal a serious contender. A son of Nyquist, he's a perfect 3-for-3, racing exclusively at Laurel Park. After breaking his maiden with a patient, off-the-pace effort, he has since transformed into a front-running powerhouse, going wire-to-wire in his last two starts—the Miracle Wood and the Federico Tesio. That Tesio performance, at nine furlongs, was particularly eye-catching. He set legitimate fractions, opened up a 10-length lead, took a breather around the far turn, and then kicked away again to win by 8 ¼ lengths. That effort earned him a solid 92 Beyer Speed Figure, right in the mix with the top contenders in this field.
His recent workouts only add to the excitement. Taj Mahal has been firing bullets, turning in two straight five-furlong bullet works. In fact, he's logged four consecutive bullet workouts dating back before the Tesio. He enters the Preakness as sharp as any horse in the race.
But there are questions to answer. While Russell has done a phenomenal job with this colt, her record in graded stake routes on dirt over the last five years is 0-for-32. And as the "house horse" from Maryland, Taj Mahal is likely to attract significant betting support, which could compress his odds. Still, with his speed, momentum, and the chance to make history, he's a fascinating story heading into Saturday, May 16.
Whether you're backing the local hero or looking for a fresh angle, Taj Mahal adds a compelling narrative to this year's Preakness. Keep an eye on post position and the final odds—this colt could be the one to spark a celebration in the Old Line State.