Wednesday, May 18, 2011

THE BONUS CHECKS ARE READY FOR THE RESULTS

BALTIMORE, 05-17-11---Eight blown-up checks have been prepared by the Maryland Jockey Club marketing department, pending the outcome of the 136th Preakness Stakes Saturday and the 87th Black-Eyed Susan Stakes Friday with the connections of Preakness runner Dialed In in line to profit most handsomely should he win.

Dialed In, who finished eighth as the Kentucky Derby favorite after being squeezed at the start, is eligible for a $5.5 million payday in addition to the $600,000 winner's share for the Preakness. The bulk of that ($5 million) would go to owner Robert LaPenta and $500,000 would be awarded to trainer Nick Zito. That is the result of his victories in the Grade 3 Holy Bull and the Grade 1 Florida Derby as part of MI Developments Inc. historic and unique bonus programs centered around Pimlico Race Course’s premier 3-year old races, called the “Preakness 5.5” and “Black-Eyed Susan 2.2”.


The Florida Derby runner-up, Shackleford, can pocket a $550,000 consolation prize for participating in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth and placing in the Florida Derby. If the son of Forestry wins the Preakness, $500,000 would be presented to owners Michal Lauffer and W.D. Cubbedge and $50,000 would belong to trainer Dale Romans.

In addition, jockeys Julien Leparoux (Dialed In) and Victor Espinosa (Mr. Commons) could bank $100,000 from the AmTote International jockey bonus for winning races during the qualifying stage.

Two more jockey bonuses are available on Black Eyed Susan day, both worth $50,000. For winning races during qualifying, riders John Velazquez (Buster's Ready) and Joel Rosario (Love Theway Youare) became eligible.

“This has turned out to be an excellent promotion,” said Pimlico president Tom Chuckas. “Ask Nick Zito what he thinks about it? Dialed In runs off the board in the Derby but his horse has a shot to win $6.1 million Saturday afternoon.”

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