Blood-Horse

In the latest Odds and Trends, J. Keeler Johnson examines the best approaches for betting on the Preakness Stakes (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1).

Letters to the Editor for BloodHorse Daily May 13

As an owner and breeder, Peter Vegso has been tied to some top horses—grade 1 winners—and May 16 he'll be cheering for his first classic victory when undefeated, two-time stakes winner Taj Mahal starts in the Preakness Stakes (G1) at Laurel Park.

Preakness Stakes (G1) notes from Laurel Park

The second and final day of the under-tack show for the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale concluded May 13 with mixed emotions from consignors.

Obliteration returns from Saudi Arabia in the listed Chick Lang Stakes May 16 at Laurel Park.

Jockeys Atsuya Nishimura and Cristian Torres received fines and suspensions for exceeding the number of permitted strikes of the riding crop while riding in the May 2 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.

With FanDuel TV's horse racing broadcast operations scheduled to wind down, commissioners and staff from the California Horse Racing Board discussed efforts at its May 13 meeting to encourage the company to reconsider or delay the action.

The Preakness Stakes (G1) May 16 at Laurel Park drew a full field of 3-year-olds attempting to make history for their connections in the Triple Crown series. Fourteen accomplished jockeys head to the starting gate, including five with Preakness wins.

Playing the waiting game paid off for trainer Danny Gargan and the connections of Talkin.

After starting 2026 with a smashing allowance optional claiming victory, Haileysfirstnotion will chase his first stakes win May 16 in the $150,000 Maryland Sprint Stakes (G3).

Kentucky Derby Fever can be overwhelming. It can cause horsemen to bumble and stumble, and make decisions that may be unwise and push the envelope a bit too far. But if anyone wants a cure for it, check with Chad Brown.

While the Pimlico Special Stakes (G3) has moved to Laurel Park this year, most everything else will be familiar for Awesome Aaron as the 7-year-old Practical Joke gelding aims to win the race a second straight year.

Russell has been an amateur rider, an assistant trainer, the boss of her own barn, and a groundbreaker. She now aims to add classic-winning trainer to her résumé as well.

Kappa Kappa, winner of the 2025 Raven Run Stakes (G2) at Keeneland, has been named 2025 Pennsylvania-bred Horse of the Year, as well as champion 3-year-old filly and female sprinter.

Corona de Oro's connections hope for a leap ahead when the consistent Bolt d'Oro colt starts in the $2 million Preakness Stakes (G1) May 16 at Laurel Park.

Churchill Downs Inc. and its wagering platform TwinSpires are again out of the Texas market following the dismissal of a lawsuit brought to block them from taking online horse racing bets from the Lone Star State.

Jockey Frankie Pennington earns Jockey of the Week after guiding Irish Maxima to a win in the May 9 Ruffian Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Kentucky Derby (G1) fifth-place finisher Danon Bourbon will undergo surgery to remove a knee chip sustained in the May 2 race, likely knocking him out of racing for the remainder of 2026.

Hips 1-300 completed their previews on Day 1 of the under-tack show for Fasig-Tipton's Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, May 12. The under-tack show was condensed to two days, barring weather concerns developing May 13.