Taj Mahal took the lead right out of the starting gate and never looked back as he cruised to an eight-and-a-quarter length victory in the $150,000 Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Park on Saturday, April 18.
The three-year-old son of Nyquist broke like a rocket from post 10 under jockey Sheldon Russell and went right to the lead. As the field raced down the backstretch in the nine-furlong contest, Taj Mahal cruised along on an easy lead, hitting the half-mile mark with an impressive 10-length lead over Voldenham, who was tracked closely by Let's Go Lando and Wild Warrior.
Given a bit of a breather entering the far turn, Taj Mahal continued to cruise along as his lead dwindled down to two-and-a-half lengths as Wild Warrior and Let's Go Lando drew closer. As the field hit the top of the stretch Taj Mahal hit another gear and took off, once again opening up by daylight under some mild urging from his rider. The colt crossed the wire an impressive eight-and-a-quarter length winner over Wild Warrior, with Let's Go Lando back in third.
Taj Mahal remains perfect in three starts and is now a two-time Stakes winner. He captured the Miracle Wood Stakes in his last start, and his victory in the Tesio earned him an automatic berth in the G1 Preakness Stakes May 16.
Taj Mahal was bred in Florida by Vegso Racing Stable and was a $525,000 purchase at the 2024 Keeneland September yearling sale. He is out of Oola Gal, a Stakes-placed daughter of Quality Road and is from the immediate family of Graded Stakes winners Cat Fighter and Ishiguru.
Nyquist is off to a hot start in 2026, with seven Stakes winners to his credit, including Graded Stakes winners Knightsbridge (G3 Mr. Prospector, G3 Fred W. Hooper), Iron Honor (G3 Gotham Stakes), and David of Athens (G3 Jebel Ali Mile).
Nyquist is standing the 2026 season at Jonabell Farm for $175,000, stands and nurses.
