Laurel Park welcomed its first out-of-town contender for the 151st Preakness Stakes on Tuesday morning, as Peacock Family Racing Stables’ The Hell We Did settled into his new surroundings ahead of the May 16 feature.
The colt, runner-up in the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland on April 11, is already making his presence felt as connections opt for an early move rather than a split journey through Churchill Downs. Trainer Todd Fincher, overseeing preparations from Kentucky, confirmed the decision was as much about logistics as it was about the horse’s comfort.
“It looks like he traveled well and settled right in, according to my assistant,” Fincher said. “We’re in Kentucky and it’s harder to find riders since Churchill began its meet to work horses and things like that. Instead of moving him twice, to Churchill and again to Maryland, we just made one move.”
A homebred son of Authentic — himself a Preakness runner-up and Horse of the Year — The Hell We Did brings a quietly consistent record into the second leg of the Triple Crown. In four starts, he has alternated between first and second, beginning with a winning debut at Remington Park last October before finishing runner-up in the Zia Park Juvenile. His current campaign opened with an allowance victory at Sunland Park in mid-March, followed by a strong second in the Lexington Stakes over 1 1/16 miles, his first attempt beyond a mile.
Fincher believes that performance left ample room for improvement.
“He ran a good race. He’d never even had a mile race under his belt,” he said. “His race off the layoff was very easy and it was only six furlongs, so he really needed that. He ran really well. We were happy with the way he ran, but we expect a big jump.”
The Hell We Did is expected to stretch his legs on the main track Wednesday morning, weather permitting, with two scheduled works pencilled in before race day. Fincher indicated that conditions may dictate a lighter session initially, with rain forecast over the region.
“He needs to go out tomorrow. It looks like a lot of rain so maybe we’ll just jog him. We’ll play it by ear. We’re planning on working him Saturday and then Saturday again,” he said. “[Getting in early is] a good advantage as long as he likes it there and everything. I think it’s an advantage for sure.”
While The Hell We Did becomes the first to ship in, he will not be alone on familiar ground. Federico Tesio Stakes winner Taj Mahal, already based at Laurel under Maryland’s leading trainer Brittany Russell, secured his Preakness berth with a decisive local victory on April 18 and continues preparations on home soil.
With the field gradually taking shape, The Hell We Did’s early arrival offers a glimpse of intent — a horse still learning, but one whose progression could make him a notable presence when the gates open for the Middle Jewel.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to racebuzz