Brittany Russell Seeks Triple Crown History with Taj Mahal
At 1h50, on May 14, 2026 • By Gulfstream Park
Brittany Russell remembers having a sense of pride when Jena Antonucci became the first female trainer to win a Triple Crown race three years ago with Arcangelo in the Belmont Stakes (G1). The feeling wasn’t dissimilar when Cherie DeVaux saddled Golden Tempo for a victory in the Kentucky Derby (G1) May 2.
Their successes left just the Preakness Stakes, Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown, as the only race in the series left for a woman to conquer. Russell, Maryland’s champion trainer each of the past three years, is carrying the ball in this year’s race to be held Saturday at her home track, Laurel Park.
Russell will saddle undefeated Taj Mahal for the 151st Preakness, giving a leg up to her husband, jockey Sheldon Russell, on race day. They drew the rail against 13 rivals, the first full Preakness field since 2011, and are co-second choice on the morning line at 5-1.
Taj Mahal jogged and galloped a mile at his usual time shortly after 6 a.m. Tuesday. The plan is to gallop and school in the starting gate Wednesday and school in the paddock when live racing resumes Thursday.
“I paddock school everything. He can be a little feel-good on race day, so it’s necessary,” she said. “He’ll go to the gate tomorrow, so he’ll do a little bit more in his gallops, but he’s aggressive. He’s doing plenty.”
There have been 16 women to saddle a horse for the Preakness, starting with Judy Johnson, who finished seventh with Sir Beau in 1968. Jennifer Pedersen is the only one to do it more than once, sending out three starters: Griffinite, fifth in 2001; New York Hero, sixth in 2003; and Song of the Sword, ninth in 2004.
Nancy Alberts had the best Preakness finish for a female trainer in 2002 when Magic Weisner came up three-quarters of a length shy of Kentucky Derby winner War Emblem while finishing second at odds of 45-1. Kelly Rubley is the most recent to try it with Alwaysmining, 11th in 2019.
