A familiar name once again rose to the forefront of American racing over Preakness weekend, as Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen added another notable chapter to his long and decorated career at Laurel Park. Across two days of high-class action, consistency rather than singular dominance proved decisive in a tightly fought points battle among leading stables.
Preakness weekend trainer bonus
The outcome underlined both the depth of Asmussen’s operation and the competitive balance across a programme that featured multiple stakes contests at the Maryland venue, temporarily hosting the Preakness Stakes while Pimlico Race Course undergoes redevelopment.
Asmussen sent out runners in eight stakes races across Friday and Saturday, collecting placings throughout the card and securing valuable points in the season-long incentive structure. His campaign was highlighted by Chip Honcho finishing third in the Preakness Stakes (G1), the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown staged for the 151st running.
Saturday brought his only victory of the weekend when Obliteration struck in the Chick Lang, while Faust finished second in the Maryland Sprint (G3) and Benedetta also claimed runner-up honours in the Skipat. Earlier efforts included placings from Little Miss Curlin in the Miss Preakness (G3), Duke of Duval in the Pimlico Special (G3), and Braken Poppa in the Black-Eyed Susan (G2).
Across the weekend, Asmussen accumulated a total of 39 points to edge out Maryland-based trainer Graham Motion in a contest decided by fine margins. The result marked yet another success in a series of strong performances for Asmussen in the bonus scheme, having previously topped the standings in multiple editions over the past decade.
Steve Asmussen once again demonstrated remarkable depth across his string, finishing just ahead of Graham Motion, who also enjoyed a productive weekend with two stakes victories courtesy of Warming and Turf Star. Motion’s stable added further placed efforts across several graded races, maintaining steady momentum throughout the programme.
Behind them, South Florida-based trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. secured third place in the standings with a strong stakes presence, including notable wins and placings across the weekend’s feature events. He was followed closely by Maryland’s Brittany Russell, who combined multiple winners with consistent placings on home soil.
Saffie Joseph Jr. and Brittany Russell both played prominent roles in shaping the competitive landscape of the meeting, with Joseph landing key victories in major stakes while Russell maintained her reputation as one of Maryland’s leading conditioners through another productive set of performances.
The trainer bonus programme, now firmly established as part of the Preakness weekend tradition, rewards consistency across a demanding slate of 15 stakes races carrying significant prize money. Points are awarded on a sliding scale from winning down to lower placings, ensuring every finish contributes to the final standings.
Elsewhere on the weekend, Russell also topped the non-stakes trainer bonus category, highlighting her broader success across the meeting. Her runners delivered a series of strong efforts, including victories and placed finishes that secured her overall lead in that separate competition.
The Preakness itself delivered a historic backdrop, staged at Laurel Park for the first time due to redevelopment work at Pimlico. The race was won by Napoleon Solo, providing a breakthrough moment for jockey Paco Lopez, owner Al Gold, and trainer Brendan Walsh.
Paco Lopez marked a milestone victory in the feature event, capping a weekend that blended established excellence with emerging success stories across the American racing scene.
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