This weekend, nine promising contenders nominated for the prestigious Triple Crown will compete in hopes of securing an automatic spot in the 150th Preakness Stakes. These young talents will be showcased in two significant races: the Federico Tesio at Laurel Park and the Bathhouse Row at Oaklawn Park. Both events offer a unique opportunity to qualify for the Preakness, where history and legacy are celebrated. Among these hopefuls are several standout horses with impressive pedigrees and racing records.
The Federico Tesio race includes five Triple Crown nominees, each bringing distinct strengths to the competition. Meanwhile, the Bathhouse Row event features seven additional sophomores, further highlighting the depth of talent vying for this coveted chance. The stakes are high as these young athletes aim to follow in the footsteps of past legends who have graced the Preakness track.
Federico Tesio: A Gateway to Glory
The Federico Tesio race at Laurel Park offers a critical stepping stone for aspiring Preakness competitors. This year’s lineup showcases ten 3-year-olds, with five being Triple Crown nominees. Each horse brings its own story and potential to the table, making this race not only a test of speed and endurance but also a narrative-rich event. The Tesio has historically been a reliable predictor of future Preakness success, with numerous winners advancing to the larger stage.
Among the notable entrants is Surfside Moon, who demonstrated promise last August on the Delaware Park turf. Another contender, Just a Fair Shake, showed resilience after a long break, emerging victorious in a recent optional claiming allowance. Pay Billy, Sacred Thunder, and Studlydoright bring their stakes-winning credentials to the mix, adding layers of intrigue to the race. Pay Billy, for instance, recently triumphed in the Private Terms, while Sacred Thunder boasts multiple stakes placements. Each horse’s journey adds to the rich tapestry of anticipation surrounding this pivotal race.
Bathhouse Row: Unveiling New Talent
The Bathhouse Row at Oaklawn Park serves as another crucial battleground for aspiring Preakness participants. This edition features seven sophomores, each eager to prove their mettle on the 1 1/8-mile track. The race continues to build upon its reputation as a springboard to Preakness fame, having seen three of its previous six winners advance to the historic event. This year’s field includes Hymn, Caldera, Tiz Secure, and Pretty Capable, among others, each with compelling backstories that enhance the race’s allure.
Hymn enters the race with added blinkers following a strong second-place finish in a recent optional claiming allowance. Caldera, trained by the legendary D. Wayne Lukas, has already made waves with victories over older horses and a notable Sunland Derby performance. Tiz Secure, under the guidance of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, seeks to continue his upward trajectory after a maiden win at Santa Anita. Pretty Capable rounds out the group, bringing her maiden-breaking prowess from a recent Fair Grounds appearance. Together, these horses promise an exhilarating spectacle that could redefine the landscape of Triple Crown hopefuls.
