Ageless sets course record to repeat in The Very One

BALTIMORE – Ageless came into her own last year at age 5, winning three stakes – the Giant's Causeway at Keeneland, The Very One at Pimlico, and the Grade 3 Royal North at Woodbine.

On Preakness Saturday at Pimlico, Ageless stormed from off the pace to repeat in The Very One, setting a five-furlong turf-course record of 55.60 seconds. The win came on the heels of a runner-up finish last month in the Giant's Causeway.

Ageless turned a corner for trainer Arnaud Delacour last year when he removed blinkers from her equipment, encouraged her to relax off the pace, and moved her to the grass.

On Saturday, Delacour instructed jockey Julien Leparoux not to let her relax too much early.

"It's a little harder to close on this turf course, so I told Julien to keep her in mid-pack," Delacour said. "I wanted her closer than she was at Keeneland."

Leparoux followed directions and sent Ageless from the gate. She settled seventh early in the 11-horse field, and Leparoux swung her out to the center of the course in upper stretch. She finished strongly to take the lead late and win by three-quarters of a length.

"I sent her a little, and she put herself into the race," Leparoux said. "Coming into the stretch, she was just waiting for me to ask her to go."

Ageless paid $4.60 as the favorite.

Joya Real, making her first start since September, closed from 10th position to finish second, a half-length in front of the 5-2 second choice Shrinking Violet, who raced just off the early leaders.

The early fractions of 21.76 seconds and 44.09 were set by Jewel of a Cat, Satan's Mistress, and Just Got In. They finished fifth, sixth, and eighth, respectively.

Paddle Board flipped in the gate before the start and was reloaded. She finished 10th at 21-1.

The previous course record of 55.70 was set by Disco Dandy on May 22, 2009.