Jevian Toledo and Brittany Russell continued their successful partnership by defending their titles as leading jockey and trainer as the Preakness Meet at historic Pimlico Race Course drew to a close Sunday.
Toledo went winless with his two mounts Sunday, finishing with a comfortable 10-win margin over co-runners-up Sheldon Russell, Horacio Karamanos, and Victor Carrasco, 19-9. Both Toledo and Sheldon Russell are represented by agent Marty Leonard.
The 28-year-old Toledo earned eight of his wins, along with one second and three thirds, from 19 mounts for Brittany Russell at the 15-day Preakness Meet, which opened May 11. He ranked second with nearly $700,000 in purse earnings behind only Hall of Famer John Velazquez, who won the $1.65-million Preakness Stakes (G1) with National Treasure.
“It feels great. I'm just blessed that God gave me the good health to be here,” Toledo said. “My agent does a great job and big thanks to all the trainers and owners that give the opportunity to ride their horses. I really appreciate all the help that I've been given this meet.”
Toledo registered at least one win on each of the first eight racing days during the meet including a triple May 18. He doubled on Black-Eyed Susan (G2) Day May 19 aboard Russell-trained horses Royal Whisper and S. Muffin, and also rode Be Better to victory for Russell and owner Repole Stable on Preakness Day, May 20.
Overall, Toledo won on (12) of 15 race days including another hat trick June 3 and doubles May 27 and 29. The state's overall leading rider in 2015, 2017, 2021 and 2022 approaching 1,500 career wins, he now owns 11 individual riding titles in Maryland, nine coming at Laurel Park.
“Every horse is special, even the ones when you don't win. They try hard and do their best for you,” Toledo said. “Depending on how our business goes we try to be everywhere and ride as many horses as we can.”
Russell, 33, did not have a starter on Sunday and ended with 15 wins from 42 starters (36 percent) and $592,630 in purse earnings, second to Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, largely thanks to his record eighth Preakness victory. Michael Trombetta and Hugh McMahon each won Sunday to tie them with Anthony Farrior as runners-up with five wins.
It is the fourth training title for Russell, who led Laurel's 2022 spring and fall stands and tied for first at last year's Preakness Meet. She got off to a fast start with wins on each of the first seven race days including triples May 14 and 19.
“It's great. You do it once, and you hope you can do it again,” Russell said. “It's awesome but my team is amazing. We have more horses now. You win and it just seems like we get more on our plate every time. Whenever it seems like we do something better it becomes more work and more horses, things like that. My team, it's just so fun to watch what they've done. Everybody on my team is just amazing.”
Along with Royal Whisper and S. Muffin, Russell's Black-Eyed Susan Day included an eye-catching allowance victory by 3-year-old Fort Warren, who is being pointed to the June 10 Woody Stephens (G1) at Belmont Park. She also ran third and sixth, respectively, with L Street Lady and Bound by Destiny in the Miss Preakness (G3) and sixth with Cats Inthe Timber in the Black-Eyed Susan.
On Preakness Day Russell was second with Prince of Jericho in the Chick Lang (G3), respectively sixth and ninth with Wondrwherecraigis and Hello Hot Rod in the Maryland Sprint (G3), and third with Circling the Drain in the James W. Murphy.
Russell owns 310 career wins since 2018 including her first Grade 1 with Doppelganger in the April 8 Carter Handicap at Aqueduct with Toledo aboard. Doppelganger is scheduled to make his next start in the June 10 Metropolitan Handicap (G1) at Belmont. Russell leads all trainers in Maryland this year with 52 wins from 192 starters (27 percent).
“I'm just really proud, it's that simple,” Russell said. “This is a tough game. Day to day we don't know where we stand. You could be on top of the world and the next day you're not. Just to see them continue on and we continue to get results, I'm just really proud of my team and grateful for everything that they've done.”
Stuart Grant's The Elkstone Group finished as the Preakness Meet's leading owner with seven wins, including Cap Com ($6.40) in Race 3 Sunday.
Aside from National Treasure, who gave Velazquez his first career Preakness win, other highlights of the Preakness Meet included Taxed's 11-1 upset of the Black-Eyed Susan for her first stakes win; Rattle N Roll's thrilling triumph in the historic Pimlico Special (G3); and a pair of course-record victories – Never Explain in the Dinner Party (G3), going 1 1/8 miles on the grass in 1:46.14; and Nagirroc in the James W. Murphy, covering one mile on the turf in 1:33.11.
Straight No Chaser won the six-furlong Chick Lang (G3) in a stakes-record time of 1:08.27. All three record performances came on the undercard of the 148th Preakness Stakes.
Live racing moves to Laurel Park Friday, June 9 for its 10-day summer meet that runs through Friday, June 30.
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