A Royal Affair Kentucky Derby (G1) champion Golden Tempo will not be one of the 14 runners competing in the $2 million Preakness (G1), Saturday at Laurel Park. The Curlin colt will instead turn his attention to the third jewel of the illustrious Triple Crown, the Belmont (G1), on June 6 at Saratoga. Among the cast of sophomore stars descending on Laurel Park is undefeated Nyquist colt Taj Mahal. Trained by Brittany Russell and ridden by Sheldon Russell, the bay out of Quality Road mare Oola Gal is off to a perfect three-for-three start to begin his career, headlined by standout scores in the Miracle Wood and Federico Tesio Stakes. Bred in Florida by Vegso Racing Stable, Taj Mahal enters the 1 3/16-mile Preakness at 5-1. Michelin Star Menu Topping Laurel Park’s Preakness undercard is the $250,000 Dinner Party (G3T), a 1 1/8-mile turf test for 3-year-olds and up. The field of seven will feature a familiar face in last year’s champion Fort Washington, who is back to defend his crown from post four. A four-time graded stakes winner, the son of War Front–Azaelia (FR) enjoyed a stellar 2025 campaign, also capturing the Canadian Turf (G3T) and Arlington Million (G1). Trained by Claude McGaughey III for owner Magic Cap Stables, Fort Washington remains in search of his first victory this season after a sixth in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1T) and fourth in the Canadian. Fort Washington opens his title defense as the 7-2 third choice behind Cruise the Nile (9-5) and early favourite Dresden Row (7-5). Making a Statement After a fourth in her stakes debut last month, Accent (GB) finds herself staring down seven foes in the $150,000 Gallorette (G3T), Saturday at Laurel Park. While the Pinatubo (IRE) filly’s three-race unbeaten streak came to an end in the one-mile Plenty of Grace Stakes, Accent showed her connections enough to earn a promotion to the graded tier. Trained by Chad Brown for owner Jeffrey Drown, the fleet-footed 4-year-old dark bay delivered some impressive fractions before cooling late. Stepping up in class and stretching out to 1 1/16 miles for the Gallorette, Accent enters at 3-1 behind only narrow 5-2 favourite Child of the Moon (FR). Crowd the Paint Slam Notion stands as one of eight veteran competitors between Faust and Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen’s fifth career Maryland Sprint (G3) trophy. Set for Saturday at Laurel Park, the $150,000 six-furlong sprint marks Slam Notion’s first start since a fourth in the General George Stakes on February 14, also at Laurel. The 4-year-old son of Great Notion–Balestra was magnificent for owner Eric Rizer in 2025, picking up six wins, including a trio of stakes scores (Star De Naskra, Maryland Million Sprint, Howard and Sondra Bender Memorial), from 10 starts (6-2-0). Trained by Robert Bailes, Slam Notion opens the 39th Maryland Sprint as the 5-1 fifth choice, one spot ahead of Faust (8-1). Favourite or the Field? Ahead of Saturday’s $250,000 Louisville (G3T) at Churchill Downs, one question looms above the rest: who, if anyone, can upset clear 2-5 favourite Burnham Square? Of the five available options, the leading candidate, at least according to oddsmakers, is 4-1 second choice Echo Lane. Trained by Rohan Crichton for owner Anthony Rogers, the 5-year-old Treasure Beach (GB) bay has competed at the graded level thrice, producing finishes of fourth (2024 Grade 3 New Kent County Virginia Derby), second (2026 Grade 2 Mac Diarmida) and third (2026 Grade 3 Pan American). Echo Lane sports a strong 8-4-7 line for just shy of $600,000 in prizes across 28 starts. Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine Share This:Share
