The race was named in honor of famous Italian breeder
Federico Tesio, owner of Dormello Stud in
Dormelletto,
Novara. Tesio was one of the most important
breeders of
Thoroughbreds in the history of
horse racing. His homebreds
Nearco and
Ribot, both great sires, dominate Thoroughbred bloodlines throughout the world. Tesio died in 1954 at age 85. The last horse to win this race and the Preakness was
Deputed Testamony in 1983. Several Tesio runners have made a major impact on the Triple Crown by placing in the Preakness during the last twenty years, including
Icabad Crane in 2008, Magic Weisner in 2002, Oliver's Twist in 1995, and Rock Point in 1989 and
Broad Brush in 1986. In 2011, Tesio runner-up Ruler On Ice won the
Belmont Stakes and in 1998 Tesio winner Thomas Jo placed third in the
Belmont Stakes. The Federico Tesio Stakes was an American
Grade III stakes race from 1986 through 1997. The race was restricted to
Maryland breeds from 1981 through 1985. It was run at miles from 1981 to 1991 and from 2011 to 2015. Prior to 2016, the race was held at
Pimlico Race Course in
Baltimore, Maryland. It was run at Pimlico again in 2021 following an emergency shift of racing dates from
Laurel Park. == Records ==