Taj Mahal (Nyquist) led them every step of the way while making his two-turn debut to romp in the $150,000 Federico Tesio S. at Laurel Park, a “Win and You're In” qualifier for the GI Preakness Stakes.
The 6-5 favorite cleared the field of 10 from his outside draw and it was pretty much over from there. He was well clear through fractions of :23.93 and :47.80. The advantage shrunk to about a length on the far turn, but he had another gear. The $525,000 Keeneland September yearling opened up again and dropped the hammer in the stretch to win by 8 1/4 lengths.
Taj Mahal, a debut winner sprinting at Laurel Feb. 6, was a game winner of the one-turn mile Miracle Wood S. in the mud here Feb. 21.
The winner's dam had a filly by Nyquist in 2024, a filly by Up to the Mark in 2025 and a filly by Arabian Knight this year.
FEDERICO TESIO S., $150,000, Laurel, 4-18, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:52.92, ft.
1–TAJ MAHAL, 124, c, 3, by Nyquist
1st Dam: Oola Gal (SP, $117,257), by Quality Road
2nd Dam: Geisha Gal, by Agnes Tachyon (Jpn)
3rd Dam: Danzig Withwolves, by Danzig
($525,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-SF Racing, LLC, Starlight Racing,
Madaket Stables, LLC, Stonestreet Stables, LLC, Bashor Racing,
LLC, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital,
LLC & Donovan, Catherine; B-Vegso Racing Stable (FL);
T-Brittany T. Russell; J-Sheldon Russell. $90,000. Lifetime
Record: 3-3-0-0, $178,200.
2–Wild Warrior, 124, c, 3, Improbable–Inaweofnooneatall, by
Lemon Drop Kid. ($25,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT). O-Rose Petal Stable
LLC; B-Titletown Racing Stables (Paul Farr) & BRS (KY); T-Gary
Capuano. $30,000.
3–Let's Go Lando, 118, g, 3, Game Winner–Steady N Love, by
Not For Love. O-Eagle Up Stables, London Reid Thoroughbreds
and Non Stop Stable; B-ZWP Stable & Non Stop Stable (MD);
T-Gary Capuano. $15,000.
Margins: 8 1/4, 1 1/4, 1 3/4. Odds: 1.20, 6.90, 5.10.
Also Ran: Volendam, Hixon, Code of Silence, Higher Sense, Close the Gate, Classic Nofty, Chayton.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
It was all #10 TAJ MAHAL ($4.40)) who from the start of the race ran away from the field to easily win the $150,000 Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Park. The son of Nyquist (@DarleyAmerica) was ridden by @SheldonRussell1 and is trained by @BTRracingstable. pic.twitter.com/BUFkUihJF5
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 18, 2026
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