Preakness: The Hell We Did’s Interrupted Work Highlights Busy Multisite Training Morning
LAUREL PARK, Md. — It was a chaotic Saturday morning for The Hell We Did during his final Preakness Stakes preparation, as the colt endured two separate interruptionsfrom loose‑horse sirens while attempting to complete his scheduled workout.
Exercise rider Christian Olmo was forced to pull up twice when track signals halted activity. After restarting, a second siren sounded about a quarter‑mile into the move, forcing Olmo to take hold of the horse on the far turn. The pair came several paths wide into the stretch before guiding back inside to finish the drill. Officially, The Hell We Did was clocked in 1:01.40 for five furlongs by track clockers.
“He probably would’ve gone in 59 [because] [Olmo] stood up on him and eased off the fence, slowed him down for about 80 to 100 yards, and then finished up the work,” trainer Todd Fincher said. “Unbelievable — it happened two times during the work. It was completely messed up, but I guess it ended up being okay.”
The Hell We Did, most recently runner‑up in the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland, was among eight Preakness probableswho worked Saturday morning across six tracks.
Taj Mahal Sharp in Laurel Move
Also at Laurel, undefeated Federico Tesio winner Taj Mahal breezed five furlongs in 1:00.20 under Alex Beitia. The colt started several lengths ahead of 5‑year‑old workmate Regalo — ridden by regular jockey Sheldon Russell — and was caught by clockers with splits of 12.20, 24.20, 36.40, and a six‑furlong gallop‑out in 1:12.80.
“I feel great — we got it out of the way,” trainer Brittany Russell said. “He went well and it looks like he’s cooled out well. He’s really happy, so that’s all you can ask.”
Brown’s Pair Work in Company at Belmont
At Belmont Park, Grade 3 Gotham winner Iron Honor breezed a half‑mile in 47.66 seconds, working in company with Blue Grass Stakes runner‑up Ottinho. They went head‑and‑head throughout, recording splits of 12.84, 24.34, and a five‑furlong gallop‑out in 1:00.91.
“The track was a little quick after the break, but he worked well, galloped out well, and came back good,” trainer Chad Brown said. “It was a good, solid work; he looks ready to give it a go.”
Iron Honor, seventh in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial, got keen after a bump on the first turn and faded. For the Preakness, Brown will remove the blinkers and has booked Flavien Prat to ride.
“He’s much more relaxed,” Brown added.
Ottinho is no longer under Preakness consideration but may target the Belmont Stakes (June 6 at Saratoga). > “If you get a pace like the Derby, he could pick up a couple of pieces if it set up right,” Brown said. “The way he worked today, you wouldn’t take him out of consideration.”
Napoleon Solo, Talkin, and Great White Tune Up
Roughly three hours later, Grade 1 Champagne winner Napoleon Solo worked a half‑mile in 48.05 seconds under Emily Ellingwood. His quarters were 24.62 and 24 flat; he stayed three wide through the stretch under a good hold, galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.65, six in 1:13.22, and seven in 1:26.55. The move followed a six‑furlong drill in 1:10 one week earlier.
“He’s done enough speed stuff in the morning,” trainer Chad Summers said. “We just needed to see him hitting the ground well — I thought he galloped out well.”
At Keeneland, Talkin, third in the Blue Grass Stakes, clocked a half‑mile in 47.80 seconds, tracking the maiden filly Grace of Monaco and finishing even at the wire.
“He’s more aggressive now,” trainer Danny Gargan said. “He used to be a lazy work horse. The last three weeks he’s been tremendous — today was the best work of his life. He’s going into the race as good as we can get him.”
Talkin’s rider remains unconfirmed; Kendrick Carmouche guided him in his Saratoga debut and his runner‑up finish in the Champagne.
At Lexington’s Thoroughbred Center, trainer John Ennis personally rode Great White through a half‑mile in 52.20 seconds, alongside a stablemate. The horse was scratched from the Kentucky Derby after flipping behind the gate moments before the start.
“Everything was easy and smooth,” Ennis said. “He’s ready to go, provided he looks good tomorrow. If his energy is good, I’ll be there.”
Bull by the Horns and Pretty Boy Miah Also Work
At Gulfstream Park, Bull by the Horns breezed a half‑mile in 47.99 seconds. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said that if he comes out sound, the Rushaway Stakes winner will go on to the Preakness.
“All being well, we’re definitely going to enter and see how it looks,” Joseph said. He scratched the colt from Saturday’s Peter Pan at Aqueduct, adding, “If it stays as is, there are many reasons to take the swing and not many reasons not to.”
Bull by the Horns previously won at Turfway Park on synthetic after finishing seventh in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth.
At Saratoga, two‑time winner Pretty Boy Miah went a half‑mile in 49 seconds. He is expected to land on the also‑eligible list, as the Preakness is limited to 14 starters, though 16 may enter.
California‑based Smoovin Saturday, also eligible, is no longer under consideration, trainer Michael McCarthy confirmed by text.
Silent Tactic Remains on Track
Trainer Mark Casse said Silent Tactic, who worked Friday at Churchill Downs, came out of that move in good order. If he continues to train well Sunday and Monday, he will run in the Preakness with Irad Ortiz Jr. booked to ride.
