Joe Holds Off Mr Jefferson in Federico Tesio

The Elkstone Group's Joe  held off a late rally by barnmate Mr Jefferson  to win the $125,000 Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Park April 16 by a head, earning an automatic berth into the May 21 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course. Saturday's win came at a distance a sixteenth of a mile shorter than the Preakness, with Joe covering 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:52.30 under Victor Carrasco. 

The Maryland-bred colt by Declaration of War  trailed Vine Jet  by a length after a quarter-mile and maintained runner-up position through a half-mile, a head behind. Joe took the lead early on the far turn and the 3-year-old opened up by midstretch by 2 1/2 lengths.

The runner-up made a valiant late push in a rally from eighth but came up just short. He finished five lengths ahead of Shake Em Loose  in third.

Trainer Mike Trombetta said of a possible Preakness run for Joe, "(Elkstone Group's Stuart Grant) is a very seasoned owner and I'll have to see what his thoughts are on this whole deal, and whether he wants to take a run at it. We'll see how the horse comes back, obviously, but if everything's well, we'll have to ask him if he wants to take a roll."

A homebred for Elkstone, he has four wins and one second in six starts with earnings of $228,324. Joe paid $4.80 to win as the favorite.