The Grade I Prk made history on May 16, 2026, as the second jewel of the Triple Crown was contested for the first time at Laurel Park while Pimlico undergoes redevelopment. The 1 3/16-mile dirt classic for 3-year-olds carried a purse of $2,000.00 and produced a dramatic finish as Kentucky Derby winner Gogh Wild narrowly held off Bold Intruder to secure the KYD–PRK double. In 23 runnings of the HRP Preakness, Gogh Wild became only the third horse to remain Triple Crown eligible after winning both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, joining Fuji Ninja in 2004 and Howl Of The Hound in 2021.

Race Recap

TwinTowersRacing’s Gogh Wild, ridden by Gaffalione T, once again displayed his trademark speed and determination, surviving a furious late rally from Bold Intruder to win the Grade I Prk by a head in 1:54.56 over a fast Laurel Park surface. After wiring the Kentucky Derby two weeks earlier, Gogh Wild proved versatile here by rating just behind the early leaders before taking over entering the stretch and refusing to yield late.

The opening stages unfolded in measured fashion with fractions of :47.1 and 1:11.3 as several runners battled for position without anyone opening significant separation. Blooming Attack and Art Of Boom were prominent immediately, while Petit A Petit also showed early initiative into the first turn.

At the first call, Blooming Attack held a narrow advantage over Art Of Boom, with Petit A Petit and Silver Hurricane nearby. Kentucky Derby winner Gogh Wild settled comfortably in fifth early, while Bold Intruder tracked from midpack. People Batty and Weaponize were positioned farther back, with Open Invitation, Wolf Lord, and Blacketer near the rear.

By the second call, the field began compressing as Silver Hurricane advanced into contention and Art Of Boom maintained pressure near the front. Gogh Wild had moved closer while still traveling comfortably, and Bold Intruder began improving steadily from behind the main speed group.

Entering the far turn, Gogh Wild surged forward and seized control approaching the stretch call. Bold Intruder angled into striking position behind him, while Weaponize launched a sustained rally from farther back. Silver Hurricane stayed involved throughout and continued grinding away just behind the leaders.

In the final furlong, Gogh Wild dug in gamely under pressure as Bold Intruder closed relentlessly with every stride. Weaponize continued finishing strongly to threaten the top pair late, while Silver Hurricane and Cumberland Blue battled evenly behind them. Gogh Wild ultimately held firm at the wire to preserve the victory and his Triple Crown hopes.

Individual Trip Notes

Gogh Wild sat just behind the early pace before taking command entering the stretch and fighting hard through the final yards to complete the KYD–PRK double for TwinTowersRacing and Gaffalione T.

Bold Intruder produced an outstanding effort, advancing from midpack and charging late to miss by only a head. He validated his Louisiana Derby form with a career-best performance.

Weaponize outran long odds with a strong sustained rally from off the pace to finish third and was one of the bigger surprises in the field.

Silver Hurricane stayed within range throughout and kept battling through the lane to secure fourth after another consistent graded performance for Mb Stables.

Cumberland Blue closed steadily from the second half of the field and continued improving late after another difficult early setup.

Art Of Boom showed much more fight than he did in the Kentucky Derby, remaining involved throughout before weakening slightly late.

Blooming Attack was part of the early pace battle and stayed competitive into the stretch before flattening out late.

Open Invitation trailed early and attempted to improve through the second half of the race but could not sustain enough momentum to threaten the leaders.

People Batty failed to reproduce his best form after racing midpack throughout and weakening in the final stages.

Blacketer struggled from the beginning after dropping far behind early and never threatening.

Wolf Lord never found his best stride and remained near the rear throughout most of the running.

Magenta chased from the back of the field and was unable to mount a meaningful rally after struggling with the pace dynamics.

Petit A Petit showed early initiative but faded badly through the stretch after contesting the pace into the far turn.

Dime Symphony disappointed in his seasonal debut, briefly threatening early before retreating sharply through the final stages.

Winner’s Profile

Gogh Wild is a bay 3-year-old gelding by Van Gogh out of American Wild, bred and owned by TwinTowersRacing. With this victory, his lifetime earnings climbed to $4,698.12, and he now stands on the verge of HRP Triple Crown history after victories in both the Kentucky Derby and The Preakness.

The obvious next destination for Gogh Wild is the Grade I Belmont Stakes, where he will attempt to become the first HRP horse ever to sweep the Triple Crown series.

Track: Fast
Time: :47¹  1:11³  1:36¹  1:54²

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 6 – 13 Paid 43.80
$1 Trifecta: 6 – 13 – 8 Paid 1,096.50

Scratched: None

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES, TC 2026, THE TRIPLE CROWN