Brendan Walsh Earns Preakness Weekend Trainer Bonus, Beats Steve Asmussen for Top Prize

[Wandering Eyes]

Brendan Walsh earned the top prize of $50,000 in 1/ST Racing's $100,000 trainer bonus offered to horsemen for their participation in stakes races over Preakness weekend at Pimlico, the group announced via press release Sunday afternoon.

Highlighted by runner-up efforts in the GI Preakness Stakes with GSW Gosger (Nyquist) and in the GII George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes with Paris Lily (City of Light), his charge Austere (Mendelssohn) came short of catching Charlene's Dream (Qurbaan) on the lead in the GIII Gallorette on the Preakness undercard. He started the May 16 card in the Listed Hilltop Stakes where he ran first and fourth respectively with Play With Fire (Oscar Performance) and Sign No More (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). GSP San Siro (Classic Empire) would contribute to the tally when running fourth in the GIII Pimlico Special Stakes.

Walsh finished with a total of 37 points–six more than runner-up and four-time top prize winner Steve Asmussen. To be eligible for the bonus, trainers had to run a minimum of five horses in the 15 Thoroughbred stakes–seven graded–worth $4.35-million during Preakness weekend. Points were accumulated for finishing first (10), second (seven), third (five), fourth (three) and fifth through last (one). The trainer with the most points earned $50,000, followed by $25,000 for second, $12,000 for third, $7,000 for fourth, $4,000 for fifth, and $2,000 for sixth.

This was the ninth year that the trainer bonus program was offered. Asmussen earned the top prize in 2017, '18, '21, and '22. Brad Cox broke the streak in 2019, Make Maker in 2020, and Graham Motion in 2023. Last year's winner was Cherie DeVaux.

The 2025 results, from first to last were: Brendan Walsh, Steve Asmussen, Brad Cox, Saffie Joseph Jr., Graham Motion, and Brittany Russell.

A total of $50,000 in bonus money was also offered for trainers having the most points in non-stakes races during the weekend. Points accumulated in a similar fashion with $25,000 going to the leader, $10,000 to second, $7,500 to third, $4,000 to fourth, $2,500 to fifth, and $1,000 to sixth. Trainers needed a minimum of three starts to qualify. The four who did and earned bonus money were Mike Trombetta (24 points), Russell (21), Jose Magana (nine) and Jane Cibelli (five). Money for the remaining places reverted back to 1/ST.

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