Saturday, May 19 2012

ALTERNATION NOSES OUT NEHRO TO WIN PIMLICO SPECIAL

BALTIMORE, 05-18-12 – Pin Oak Stable’s Alternation withstood a late charge by Nehro to eke out a victory in the 42nd running of the $300,000 Pimlico Special (G3) by a nose.

The return of Special after a three-year absence, and the $300,000 Black-Eyed Susan (G2) highlighted the People’s Pink Party program that benefited the Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure on a sun-drenched afternoon at historic Pimlico.

COUP CAPTURES HILLTOP STAKES

BALTIMORE, 05-18-12 – Augustin Stable’s Coup carried John Velazquez to his third winner on Friday’s Black-Eyed Susan Day card, capturing the $100,000 Hilltop Stakes at Pimlico Race Course with a strong stretch run.

Seanchai and Anna Sophia battled for the lead in the 1 1/16 -mile test on the firm turf but could not hold off Coup in the run to the finish line. Coup prevailed by a length over Seanchai while running the distance in 1:42.71. Ainsley finished third.

SENSIBLE LADY UPSETS IN THE VERY ONE

BALTIMORE, 05-18-12 – Three Lyons Racing’s Sensible Lady upset the field in the $100,000 The Very One Stakes at 24-1 odds Friday at Pimlico Race Course.

Jockey Xavier Perez, who notched his first stakes victory at Pimlico, sent Sensible Lady after favored Inspired and the 3-year-old filly swept past the pacesetter in a flash to score by two lengths. Sensible lady ran five furlongs in :56.13 over the firm turf. Jazzy Lady rallied to be second. Inspired faded to third.

IN LINGERIE STRUTS HER STUFF IN BLACK-EYED SUSAN STAKES

BALTIMORE, 05-18-12 – Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners & Gary Barber’s In Lingerie was relentless in pursuit, wearing down front-running favorite Mamma Kimbo in deep stretch on her way to a 1 ¼-length victory in the $300,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2).

John Velazquez rode the lightly raced daughter of Empire Maker for trainer Todd Pletcher, who was also represented by the second-place finisher Disposablepleasure. The latter had to check sharply not long after the start, but she too was a determined runner in her effort to take the runner-up spot. Wildcat’s Smile rallied just behind the winner but was passed by Disposablepleasure in the final strides and finished third. Mamma Kimbo gave way late to be fourth.

NAPRAVNIK DEFENDS TURF IN JOCKEY CHALLEGE

BALTIMORE, 05-18-12 ---Rosie Napravnik made a triumphant return to the state where she kicked off her career seven years ago, winning the second edition of the $31,000 Female Jockey Challenge on Friday at Pimlico Race Course.

Napravnik, 24, won two of the four Challenge races and claimed the $10,000 top prize with a total of 34 points, 16 more than runner-up and event newcomer Tammy Piermarini. Rosemary Homeister and Maryland-based Forest Boyce tied for third with 12 points apiece.

Dominguez to Replace Desormeaux on Tiger Walk in Preakness

BALTIMORE – 5-18-12 -- Jockey Ramon Dominguez will ride Tiger Walk in the 137th Preakness Stakes Saturday, replacing Kent Desormeaux, trainer Ignacio Correas IV said Friday.

Correas trains the colt for Sagamore Farm.

FIDDLERS PATRIOT TAKES JIM MCKAY TURF SPRINT STAKES

BALTIMORE, 05-18-12 –James F. Olson & R.A. Hill Stable’s Fiddlers Patriot pressed the pacesetter from the start before drawing clear in the stretch to capture in the $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint at Pimlico Race Course.

John Velazquez was at the controls as the son of Proud Citizen made his 2012 debut for trainer George Weaver. Super Chunky, who also raced close to the pace, finished 2 ¼ lengths back in second, while pacesetter Ju Jitsu Jax settled for third.

AGAVE KISS RUNS AWAY WITH MS. PREAKNESS PINK WARRIOR STAKES

BALTIMORE, 05-18-12 – Flying Zee Racing Stables, LLC’s Agave Kiss broke alertly and was on cruise control the rest of the way to remain undefeated in six starts with an impressive score in the $100,000 Ms. Preakness Pink Warrior Stakes.

The winner of four straight stakes, the daughter of Lion Heart carried Ramon Dominguez to a 5 ½-length victory in 1:10.40 for the six-furlong distance. Millionreasonswhy, ridden by John Velazquez, worked her way up to take second, while Ageless finished third.

Jockey Jonathan Gonzales Taken to Hospital After 11th Race Incident

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (May 18, 2012) – Apprentice jockey Jonathan Gonzales was taken to nearby Memorial Hospital following a fall in the 11th race at Calder Casino & Race Course Friday when his mount Lil John Paul stumbled badly at the head of the stretch, unseating the rider before bolting outward. Also involved in the spill was jockey Orlando Bocachica, who was aboard Solar d’Oro when that colt fell trying to avoid Lil John Paul.

Medical personnel responded immediately and Gonzales was stabilized on the track before boarding an ambulance bound for Memorial. Bocachica returned to the jockey’s room where it was initially believed the rider suffered a broken collarbone.

TWO TURNS NO PROBLEM FOR UNSTOPPER TOPPER

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 18, 2012)—More than two months removed from his maiden win, Unstopper Topper stretched out and wired five fellow California breds in the $54,350 feature Friday night at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Trained by Kristin Mulhall for owner Kretz Racing LLC, the 4-year-old Old Topper gelding out of the Theatrical mare Emmy Ann covered the 1 1/16 miles over Cushion Track in 1:43.63.

ARUNA, CAMBINA, NEREID AMONG GAMELY NOMINEES

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 18, 2012)—Cambina and Nereid, who finished in a dead heat in the 2011 American Oaks, are among 15 nominees to the $250,000 Gamely Stakes.

The first Grade I of the Spring/Summer meet at Betfair Hollywood Park, the Gamely, which is for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf, will be run for the 44th time Monday, May 28.

ALL GATES AT GGF OPEN AT 9 A.M. SATURDAY FOR SIMULCAST OF PREAKNESS CARD FROM PIMLICO

ALBANY -- All admission gates at Golden Gate Fields open at 9 a.m. Saturday to facilitate the simulcast of racing from Pimlico Race Course, site of the Preakness Stakes.

Golden Gate Fields will simulcast races four through 13 on the Preakness Stakes Day program, which features several stakes in addition to the $1 million Preakness, the middle jewel of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown.