As it has been on many occasions, it was a great day at Laurel Park for the wife-husband team of trainer Brittany Russell and jockey Sheldon Russell as they swept both 3-year-old stakes Feb. 21.
The strategy was similar for both, with Sheldon putting the pressure on the competition early and lasting to the very end. However, the latter of the two was more of a dogfight aboard Taj Mahal in the $100,000 Miracle Wood Stakes for the ownership team of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Bashor Racing, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan.
Slow from the gate in his Feb. 6 debut, which he won by 4 1/4 lengths, the son of Nyquist showed improvement by breaking sharply Saturday. Sheldon Russell said that the slow start in the debut had caught them by surprise, but that he could feel in the warm-up that the colt was ready this time.
"With the added distance today and the way he warmed up—he warmed up very fresh—I knew I probably wouldn't be able to rate him going the mile today," he told Maryland Jockey Club's Kali Francois in the winner's circle. "He broke good enough where I could just tap him a little bit, move him up. As soon as he cleared them, I just put him in park and tried to reserve him and save something for the end."
After setting fractions of :24.31 and :48.15, Taj Mahal was approached by favored Let's Go Lando and jockey Yedsit Hazlewood. That rival drew even as they entered the stretch, but Russell sat chilly in the saddle. The two then slugged it out down the lane with Taj Mahal never giving way, holding for a neck victory while completing a mile in 1:39.47 over the sealed muddy track. Close the Gate was third.
"This horse is still learning. I just wanted to keep him controlled, keep him underneath me," Russell said. "It was still a long way to go (when Let's Go Lando approached). ... As long as he didn't overtake me and put his head in front I was okay to just sit chilly. 'Taj' is pretty smart, he had seen him and was ready for the fight. ... My horse deserved to win today."
A $525,000 purchase from the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Taj Mahal began his early training in California with Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. He was then transferred over to Brittany Russell on the East Coast in the winter, beginning his career 2-for-2 with earnings of $88,200. He paid $6.60 for his victory Saturday.
Bred in Florida by Vegso Racing Stable, Taj Mahal is out of the stakes-placed Quality Road mare Oola Gal. He is the third stakes winner of 2026 for Nyquist, who stands the 2026 season at Darley for $175,000.
Video: Miracle Wood S. (BT)
Peach Tie Under the Radar No More After Wide Country
The Russells did not have to sweat out the results of the $96,000 Wide Country Stakes as much one race earlier as Peach Tie, a homebred filly for the Estate of Brereton C. Jones, cruised to a 3-length triumph.
Exiting an 8-length romp in the Dec. 27 Gin Talking Stakes, the Preservationist filly still appeared to fly somewhat under the radar when listed as second choice on the morning line behind Law School. However, the bettors had caught on and made her the 3-5 post-time favorite as she paid $3.20 to win.
"This filly has flown under the radar, done everything right, shown up on race day, and she's just an absolute dream to have in the barn," Brittany Russell told Francois. "I just had a lot of confidence in her, and we will continue to."
Sheldon Russell had the advantage of breaking on the outside of the four-horse field as all four wanted to be part of the pace. After a quarter-mile in :24.08, Hazlewood decided to back Law School out and wait while Momaxie and Velocity Girl continued to duel with Peach Tie into the far turn.
It was there that Sheldon Russell took the upper hand and shot clear of his rivals, clocking a half-mile in :48.26. Despite Hazlewood rallying Law School to task on the far turn, Peach Tie never appeared in danger as she streaked down the stretch and stopped the clock in 1:27.80. Law School was 5 lengths clear of Momaxie in third.
"There's something about this filly that just gives me a lot of confidence," Brittany Russell said. "I knew Sheldon would have her in a good spot. She just does whatever she has to do."
Out of the winning Orb mare Belles Orb, Peach Tie remained perfect in five starts over dirt. Her lone defeat came over Tapeta by 3 1/4 lengths in the Presque Isle Debutante Stakes in September, which was just her second career start. She followed with a 2 1/2-length starter allowance win at Keeneland before rattling off three straight wins at Laurel Park. She has now earned $229,995.
