Photo:
Carlos J. Calo / Eclipse Sportswire
Two Saturdays past the run for the roses, the Triple Crown trail rolls into Maryland for act two. Pimlico is mid-renovation, so Laurel Park gets the keys this year. Anyone planning to clock in only for Preakness 2026 is leaving a stack of action on the table.
Friday’s Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan anchors the supporting cast for the 3-year-old fillies, with Steve Asmussen’s Braken Poppa stretching a four-race winning streak into her first start against open company. She’ll have to handle a Saffie Joseph Jr. shipper coming off back-to-back Grade 2 runner-up efforts at Gulfstream Park plus a Laurel-based pair exiting the Weber City Miss.
Seven graded stakes across two tracks Friday and Saturday give horseplayers no shortage of angles before the gates spring for the middle jewel.
Friday
Black-Eyed Susan (G2), Laurel Park, 1 1/8 miles, fillies, 3-year-olds
Trainer Steve Asmussen’s Braken Poppa enters chasing her fifth straight victory and her first try against open company. The Louisiana-bred won her last four starts at Fair Grounds, capped by a wire-to-wire score in the Crescent City Oaks for an 80 Beyer Speed Figure, according to Daily Racing Form. She faces a Laurel-based pair sharpened in the Weber City Miss, taken by Amelia Green’s Ivy Girl in her stakes debut over A. P.’s Girl, with Michael Gorham’s Miss Fulton Gal fourth after a wide trip. Peter Eurton’s A. P.’s Girl had rattled off back-to-back dirt wins at Fair Grounds before her Laurel runner-up effort. Saffie Joseph Jr.’s My Miss Mo shipped in after a pair of Grade 2 runner-up finishes at Gulfstream Park, including a second to Prom Queen in the Gulfstream Park Oaks for an 85 Beyer, which topped the field.
No.
Silks
Horse / Sire
Rating
Trainer / Jockey
Last Start
Status
1
Miss Fulton Gal
Rock Your World
Michael Gorham
John Velazquez
4th (94), 2026 Weber City Miss LS
Entered
Last Race
4th (94), 2026 Weber City Miss LS
2
Ivy Girl
Maxfield
6.12
Amelia Green
Victor Carrasco, Jr.
1st (102), 2026 Weber City Miss LS
Entered
Last Race
1st (102), 2026 Weber City Miss LS
3
Holly’s Holiday
Maxfield
6.34
Kenneth McPeek
Flavien Prat
1st (96), 2026 Valley of the Vapors LS
Entered
Last Race
1st (96), 2026 Valley of the Vapors LS
4
Savor It
Vino Rosso
Uriah St. Lewis
Mychel Sanchez
1st (87), PRX AOC (04/13/2026-R9)
Entered
Last Race
1st (87), PRX AOC (04/13/2026-R9)
5
Braken Poppa
Aurelius Maximus
Steven Asmussen
Jose Ortiz
1st (97), 2026 Crescent City Oaks RS
Entered
Last Race
1st (97), 2026 Crescent City Oaks RS
6
Haute Diva
Constitution
6.58
Patrick Biancone
Keith Asmussen
7th (91), 2026 Gulfstream Park Oaks G2
Entered
Last Race
7th (91), 2026 Gulfstream Park Oaks G2
7
Jumping the Gun
Gun Runner
6.89
Andrew Simoff
Luis Saez
3rd (97), 2026 Weber City Miss LS
Entered
Last Race
3rd (97), 2026 Weber City Miss LS
8
Majestic Lucia
McKinzie
Victor Barboza, Jr.
Junior Alvarado
1st (104), TAM AOC (04/04/2026-R2)
Entered
Last Race
1st (104), TAM AOC (04/04/2026-R2)
9
A. P.’s Girl
Honor A. P.
6.12
Peter Eurton
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
2nd (103), 2026 Weber City Miss LS
Entered
Last Race
2nd (103), 2026 Weber City Miss LS
10
My Miss Mo
Uncle Mo
7.27
Saffie Joseph, Jr.
Tyler Gaffalione
2nd (107), 2026 Gulfstream Park Oaks G2
Entered
Last Race
2nd (107), 2026 Gulfstream Park Oaks G2
Pimlico Special (G3), Laurel Park, 1 3/16 miles, 3-year-olds and up
Trainer Linda Rice’s Yo Daddy posted a 1 3/4-length victory in the Excelsior at Aqueduct on April 4, earning a career-best 95 Beyer Speed Figure. The 5-year-old son of Yoshida built a 3: 2-1-0 record in 2026. His lone defeat was a 1-length runner-up finish in the Stymie at Aqueduct.
No.
Silks
Horse / Sire
Rating
Trainer / Jockey
Last Start
Status
1
Maclean’s Rook
Maclean’s Music
Michael Trombetta
Ismerio Villalobos
1st (114), Cnl AlwOC (3/14/26-R10)
Entered
Last Race
1st (114), Cnl AlwOC (3/14/26-R10)
2
Navajo Warrior
Candy Ride
Saffie Joseph, Jr.
Flavien Prat
1st (135), GP AOC (03/21/2026-R7)
Entered
Last Race
1st (135), GP AOC (03/21/2026-R7)
3
San Siro
Classic Empire
7.19
Brendan Walsh
Tyler Gaffalione
3rd (126), 2026 Ben Ali G3
Entered
Last Race
3rd (126), 2026 Ben Ali G3
4
Awesome Aaron
Practical Joke
6.60
Norm Casse
John Velazquez
4th (125), 2026 Ben Ali G3
Entered
Last Race
4th (125), 2026 Ben Ali G3
5
Xcellent Start
Upstart
Wade Sanderson
Fredy Peltroche
4th (110), CT ALW (04/24/2026-R8)
Entered
Last Race
4th (110), CT ALW (04/24/2026-R8)
6
Duke Of Duval
Arrogate
6.91
Steven Asmussen
Jose Ortiz
5th (117), 2026 Oaklawn Handicap G2
Entered
Last Race
5th (117), 2026 Oaklawn Handicap G2
7
Yo Daddy
Yoshida
6.12
Linda Rice
Jose Lezcano
1st (113), 2026 Excelsior LS
Entered
Last Race
1st (113), 2026 Excelsior LS
Miss Preakness (G3), Laurel Park, 6 furlongs, fillies, 3-year-olds
Three-for-four at Laurel, Peach Tie won the Wide Country Stakes and Gin Talking Stakes during a four-race winning streak before finishing second by a head to Miss Fulton Gal in the Beyond the Wire Stakes on March 21. A homebred for the estate of Brereton Jones, trainer Brittany Russell’s filly compiles a 5-for-7 lifetime record with earnings of $249,995.
No.
Silks
Horse / Sire
Rating
Trainer / Jockey
Last Start
Status
1
Little Miss Curlin
Charlatan
Steven Asmussen
Jose Ortiz
1st (114), OP AlwOC (4/2/26-R8)
Entered
Last Race
1st (114), OP AlwOC (4/2/26-R8)
2
Peach Tie
Preservationist
6.48
Brittany Russell
Sheldon Russell
2nd (107), 2026 Beyond the Wire LS
Entered
Last Race
2nd (107), 2026 Beyond the Wire LS
3
Lights Out Leni
Speightstown
Chad Summers
Luis Saez
1st (109), Aqu MSW (4/3/26-R4)
Entered
Last Race
1st (109), Aqu MSW (4/3/26-R4)
4
Getting Closer
Good Magic
Jack Sisterson
Jose Lezcano
1st (98), KEE MCL (04/15/2026-R1)
Entered
Last Race
1st (98), KEE MCL (04/15/2026-R1)
5
Tessellate
McKinzie
7.09
Saffie Joseph, Jr.
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
1st (100), 2026 Sophomore Fillies RS
Entered
Last Race
1st (100), 2026 Sophomore Fillies RS
6
Late Night Text
Into Mischief
Saffie Joseph, Jr.
Tyler Gaffalione
1st (119), GP MSW (04/23/2026-R3)
Entered
Last Race
1st (119), GP MSW (04/23/2026-R3)
7
Victory Music
Maclean’s Music
6.12
Michael Maker
Flavien Prat
7th (101), 2026 Serena’s Song LS
Entered
Last Race
7th (101), 2026 Serena’s Song LS
Saturday
Dinner Party (G3), Laurel Park, 1 1/8 miles, turf, 3-year-olds and up
A year ago at Pimlico, Fort Washington captured the Dinner Party by a length over Cash Equity, with Desvio third. Trainer Shug McGaughey’s 7-year-old followed with a victory in the Arlington Million (G1) at Colonial Downs on Aug. 9 over Grand Sonata and Integration. The War Front horse finished sixth in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) on Jan. 24.
Silks
Horse / Sire
Rating
Trainer
Last Start
Status
Cruise The Nile
Cairo Prince
Graham Motion
1st (114), Henry S. Clark S.
Probable
Last Race
1st (114), Henry S. Clark S.
Fort Washington
War Front
7.50
Claude McGaughey III
4th (110), 2026 Canadian Turf G3
Possible
Last Race
4th (110), 2026 Canadian Turf G3
Baby Max
Maximus Mischief
6.07
Kelsey Danner
5th (109), Henry S. Clark S.
Possible
Last Race
5th (109), Henry S. Clark S.
Vote No
Divisidero
5.84
Kelsey Danner
6th (109), Henry S. Clark S.
Possible
Last Race
6th (109), Henry S. Clark S.
Crabs N Beer
Blofeld
5.12
Keri Brion
2nd (114), MVR AOC (03/11/2026-R8)
Possible
Last Race
2nd (114), MVR AOC (03/11/2026-R8)
Bartlett
Not This Time
John Servis
3rd (111), Henry S. Clark S.
Possible
Last Race
3rd (111), Henry S. Clark S.
Naptown
Munnings
Jose Magana
8th (106), Henry S. Clark S.
Possible
Last Race
8th (106), Henry S. Clark S.
What Say Thee
Sea The Stars
Horacio De Paz
1st (106), LRL AOC (04/17/2026-R6)
Possible
Last Race
1st (106), LRL AOC (04/17/2026-R6)
Maryland Sprint (G3), Laurel Park, 6 furlongs, 3-year-olds and up
Slam Notion captured three sprint stakes in 2025 at Laurel and Colonial Downs, including the Maryland Million Sprint and the Howard and Sondra Bender Memorial, for trainer Robbie Bailes. The Maryland-bred most recently finished fourth in the General George on Feb. 14 at Laurel.
Silks
Horse / Sire
Rating
Trainer
Last Start
Status
Quint’s Brew
Mosler
6.12
Edward Allard
4th , 2026 Westchester G3
Possible
Last Race
4th , 2026 Westchester G3
Floodlites
City of Light
5.79
Wesley Ward
1st (135), KEE AOC (04/18/2026-R7)
Possible
Last Race
1st (135), KEE AOC (04/18/2026-R7)
Bring The Smoke
Preservationist
D. Whitworth Beckman
2nd (127), KEE ALW (04/12/2026-R2)
Possible
Last Race
2nd (127), KEE ALW (04/12/2026-R2)
Celtic Contender
Irish War Cry
Hamilton Smith
1st (142), LRL ALW (03/28/2026-R7)
Possible
Last Race
1st (142), LRL ALW (03/28/2026-R7)
Faster Gator
Vekoma
Anthony Farrior
1st (135), Steel Valley Sprint S.
Possible
Last Race
1st (135), Steel Valley Sprint S.
Hymn
McKinzie
Ron Moquett
1st (130), OP ALW (04/10/2026-R9)
Possible
Last Race
1st (130), OP ALW (04/10/2026-R9)
Slam Notion
Great Notion
W. Robert Bailes
4th (127), General George S.
Possible
Last Race
4th (127), General George S.
Gallorette (G3), Laurel Park, 1 1/16 miles, turf, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Sent off as the favorite, Ribaltagaia ran third in the Dahlia Stakes at Laurel on April 18, finishing within a length of winner Summerintahoe after tracking the pace. The Kentucky-bred 5-year-old returned from a seven-month layoff for that effort. Trainer Graham Motion’s mare set the pace and finished second in the Violet Stakes at Monmouth Park last August.
Silks
Horse / Sire
Rating
Trainer
Last Start
Status
Charlene’s Dream
Qurbaan
7.55
Ed Moger, Jr.
11th (92), 2026 Giant’s Causeway G2
Possible
Last Race
11th (92), 2026 Giant’s Causeway G2
Peignoir
Mendelssohn
7.36
Rodolphe Brisset
3rd (110), 2026 Doubledogdare G2
Possible
Last Race
3rd (110), 2026 Doubledogdare G2
Warming
Global Campaign
7.34
Graham Motion
3rd (102), 2026 Latonia LS
Possible
Last Race
3rd (102), 2026 Latonia LS
Austere
Mendelssohn
6.37
Brendan Walsh
4th (134), KEE ALW (04/15/2026-R8)
Possible
Last Race
4th (134), KEE ALW (04/15/2026-R8)
Ribaltagaia
Blame
6.12
Graham Motion
3rd (106), Dahlia S.
Possible
Last Race
3rd (106), Dahlia S.
Complexity Jane
Complexity
Brittany Russell
2nd (108), Heavenly Cause S.
Possible
Last Race
2nd (108), Heavenly Cause S.
Passage East
Audible
Hugh McMahon
3rd (123), 2026 Sandy Bottom LS
Possible
Last Race
3rd (123), 2026 Sandy Bottom LS
Louisville (G3), Churchill Downs, 1 1/2 miles, turf, 4-year-olds and up
Burnham Square rolled to a 9 3/4-length victory in the Elkhorn (G2) at Keeneland on April 18, earning a 107 Beyer Speed Figure. Trainer Ian Wilkes’s 4-year-old Liam’s Map gelding captured the 2025 Blue Grass Stakes (G1) and Holy Bull (G3). The Whitham Thoroughbreds homebred finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby 2025 and second in the Nashville Derby (G3).
No.
Silks
Horse / Sire
Rating
Trainer / Jockey
Last Start
Status
1
Anegada
Midshipman
6.59
Michael Maker
Edgar Morales
7th (91), 2026 Elkhorn G2
Entered
Last Race
7th (91), 2026 Elkhorn G2
2
Echo Lane
Treasure Beach
4.09
Rohan Crichton
Sonny Leon
3rd (123), 2026 Pan American G3
Entered
Last Race
3rd (123), 2026 Pan American G3
3
Burnham Square
Liam’s Map
7.72
Ian Wilkes
Brian Hernandez, Jr.
1st (108), 2026 Elkhorn G2
Entered
Last Race
1st (108), 2026 Elkhorn G2
4
Freedom’s Way
Declaration of War
4.45
Eddie Kenneally
Ben Curtis
8th (90), 2026 Elkhorn G2
Entered
Last Race
8th (90), 2026 Elkhorn G2
5
Dancin In Da’nile
Pioneerof the Nile
5.84
Gail Cox
Florent Geroux
3rd (141), WO AOC (11/02/2025-R5)
Entered
Last Race
3rd (141), WO AOC (11/02/2025-R5)
6
Vote No
Divisidero
5.84
Kelsey Danner
Adam Beschizza
6th (109), Henry S. Clark S.
Entered
Last Race
6th (109), Henry S. Clark S.
