Striker Has Dial wins the $125,000 Skipat Stakes, the first stakes race at Laurel Park on the Preakness undercard.

​​​​​​​On the morning of May 16, a cloudless blue sky greeted the select fans steadily filing into Laurel Park to enjoy a Preakness day away from its traditional home.

Returning to Maryland for the first time since her 2025 George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan (G2) triumph, Margie’s Intention snapped a yearlong winless streak by capturing the $123,750 Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes at Laurel Park May 15.

Showing toughness on the front end, Navajo Warrior delivered a 2 3/4-length victory in his graded stakes debut May 15 at Laurel Park in the $250,000 Pimlico Special Stakes (G3).

Preakness Stakes (G1) notes from Laurel Park

It wasn’t the Kentucky Oaks (G1), but for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., it was as sweet as could be.

After pari-mutuel pools closed the evening of May 15, grade 3 winner Incredibolt and multiple stakes winner Taj Mahal were bidding for Preakness Stakes (G1) favoritism at 5-1 each.

In this week’s On Racing: The eight years since 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify have been fraught with chaos and controversy. With Kentucky Derby winners frequently skipping the Preakness, it might be time to change the Triple Crown schedule.

Returning to Maryland for the first time since her 2025 George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan (G2) triumph, Margie’s Intention snapped a nearly year-long winless streak by capturing the $123,750 Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes at Laurel Park May 15.

Coming from off the pace while defending her home track from shippers, Peach Tie takes the $148,500 Miss Preakness Stakes (G3) for Sheldon and Brittany Russell.