12 Midlandtic-bred animals nominated for Triple Crown
The Biz- February 4, 2026
A dozen three-year-olds bred in Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Virginia are among 367 sophomores nominated for the Triple Crown series, which begins with the Kentucky Derby on May 2 before heading to Maryland for the May 16 Preakness Stakes.
That Midlantic contingent includes five Pennsylvania-breds, three from Maryland and three from Virginia, and one from New Jersey. The roster includes several runners who have already proven themselves at the stakes level, led by Pennsylvania-bred Mailata, one of the region’s most talented 2025 youngsters.
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Mailata, trained by Butch Reid Jr. for Cash Is King LLC and LC Racing LLC, captured both the Parx Future Stars Stakes and the Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes and enters his three-year-old season on a three-race winning streak. The son of Maximus Mischief earned $159,500 as a two-year-old and hopes to take the next step in the Withers at Aqueduct on February 6.
Maryland-bred horses are also well represented among the nominees winning the stakes. Code of Silence, trained by Tim Keefe for Mount Peru Farm, has taken over the Maryland Juvenile Stakes and collected more than $130,000. According to Blofeld, Code of Silence has five in-the-money finishes from six starts and will tackle Wednesday’s spectacular bid at Laurel Park.
Another highlight from Maryland is Big Cuddle, a son of Great Notion trained by Gary Capuano. Big Cuddle was a perfect two-for-two as a youngster, highlighted by his victory in the Maryland Million Nursery, earning $88,750 for Pocket 3’s Racing LLC. The bad news: Big Cuddle hasn’t raced since October 11 and hasn’t been on the work tab for the past 60 days.
Triple Crown nominated Code of Silence is likely to see final maiden winner Close the Gate in Wednesday’s Spectacular Bid. The Pennsylvania-bred Engage gelding won decisively against the higher ranking riders last time out, and the John Salzman, Jr. trainee will attempt to put rivals on the line. Salzman last tested Triple Crown waters in the 2023 Preakness with Coffeewithchris, who finished seventh.
In addition to the stakes winners, the Midlands list of nominees includes a number of others who could develop into spring contenders, as well as well-bred runners from major national stables. Among them is the Virginia-bred Secured Freedom, a son of Practical Joke who will compete in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday.
NOMINATED TRIPLE CROWN FROM THE MIDLANTIC
| Horse | Bred | Income | Breeder | Career File | Trainer |
| Associated | Pennsylvania | $15,771 | Blackstone Farm, LLC | 3:0-1-1 | D. Whitworth Beckman |
| Big hug | Maryland | $88,750 | Two legends farm | 2:2-0-0 | Gary Capuano |
| Close the gate | Pennsylvania | $30,600 | Dr. and Mrs. William E. Riddle Jr. | 2:1-1-0 | John Salzman Jr. |
| Code of silence | Maryland | $131,015 | Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Holt and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Palumbo | 6:2-1-2 | Timothy Keefe |
| Cross the canal | Virginia | $70,400 | R Larry Johnson | 3:1-2-0 | Mike Trombetta |
| Easy choice | Pennsylvania | $680 | Caroline and Gregory Bentley Breeders | 1:0-0-0 | Mark Casse |
| Lino godfather | New Jersey | $40,574 | Gina Lupton and Kelly Lupton | 0:0-0-0 | Bhupat Seemar |
| Warehouses | Virginia | $0 | Audley farm horses | 0:0-0-0 | Michael McCarthy |
| Miles | Pennsylvania | $159,500 | Cash is King LLC and LC Racing Stable LLC | 5:3-0-1 | Butch Reid, Jr. |
| Our magical moon | Pennsylvania | $95,000 | Uptowncharlybrown Stud LLC | 4:1-1-1 | Mark Casse |
| Domain | Maryland | $41,100 | Sycamore Hall Thoroughbreds, LLC | 4:0-1-1 | Todd Pletcher |
| Safe freedom | Virginia | $45,600 | Audley Farm Equine, LLC | 2:1-0-0 | Yaakteen team |
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