When trainer Danny Gargan first laid eyes on Talkin last October, he didn't hold back. "This is a Derby-type horse," he declared about the $600,000 purchase, who at that point had only two races under his belt. Fast forward to the present, and that bold prediction hasn't quite materialized—yet. Talkin has lost his last three starts by a combined 36 lengths since those lofty words were spoken. But here's the thing about horse racing: redemption stories are written on the track, not in the headlines.
This Saturday, Talkin gets his shot at glory in the 2026 Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the Triple Crown. And if you're looking for a horse with something to prove, you've found him.
The Road to Pimlico
Let's rewind to where it all started to click. In the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes last fall, Talkin finished a strong second, and Gargan was convinced the best was yet to come. "He's bred to go nine or 10 furlongs," the trainer said, pointing to Talkin's pedigree—a son of Good Magic out of a Tiznow mare. That's distance-running blood, the kind that wins classic races.
But then came the slump. Three straight losses, with margins of 18¼, 5, and 12¾ lengths. The speed figures—Beyer, Thoro-graph, you name it—told the same story: Talkin wasn't getting faster with age. It was enough to make even the most optimistic fan wonder if Gargan's Derby dreams were just that.
What Went Wrong?
Here's where context matters. After the Remsen Stakes in December, Talkin came down with an illness that forced him to miss crucial training time. That setback put him behind schedule heading into the Tampa Bay Derby, where he finished fifth—not great, but understandable given the circumstances. Then came the Blue Grass Stakes, where Gargan blamed a "dead rail" for Talkin's third-place finish.
Skeptics might call that trainer talk for a horse who's simply too slow. But Talkin's camp isn't backing down. And neither is the horse.
Preakness Stakes Details
Post position: 5
Jockey: TBD
Trainer: Danny Gargan
Odds: Check your sportsbook
The 151st Preakness Stakes runs Saturday, May 16, from Pimlico Race Course. The full field includes Taj Mahal, Ocelli, Crupper, Robusta, Chip Honcho, The Hell We Did, Bull by the Horns, Iron Honor, Napoleon Solo, Corona de Oro, Incredibolt, Great White, and Pretty Boy Miah.
The Verdict
Talkin has every excuse in the book—illness, bad rails, missed training. But excuses don't win races. What does win is heart, and this horse showed a glimpse of it in the Champagne. If he's truly healthy now, and if the distance suits him as Gargan believes, Saturday could be the day Talkin finally lives up to that early hype.
For fans of the sport, that's the kind of story that makes the Preakness must-watch. And for those of us who love a good comeback, Talkin is the horse to keep your eye on.
Whether you're betting on him or just cheering from the rail, one thing's for sure: this is a horse with something to prove. And at Pimlico, that's exactly the kind of horse that can make history.