Athena back on favorite track for allowance

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Growing up north of Baltimore, Helen Pitts was captivated by horses. Her dad, Clinton P. Pitts Jr., was the chief steward for the Maryland Jockey Club racetracks and warned her of becoming immersed in Thoroughbred racing.

“He told me to stay off the racetrack,” she recalled.

For better or worse, she didn’t take her father’s advice. Pitts, who turns 42 on Monday, eventually migrated to the Kentucky circuit by way of Florida. She’s been here 15 years, having taken out her license as a trainer in 2005 after working as an assistant and exercise rider for several years. She’s the mother of two young girls after marrying Greg Blasi, the lead outrider at Churchill Downs.

This weekend, Pitts will watch the Preakness and all the other goings-on at Pimlico from Louisville, where the responsibility of running a sizable stable keeps her tethered.

“I love Maryland, the people, and the land,” she said. “I miss it, but we still get back there as often as we can.”

On Friday, Pitts is hoping to win the featured race at Churchill with Athena, a 4-year-old filly who figures to be favored over five others in a $58,000 classified allowance at a mile.

“She’s a neat, neat mare,” said Pitts, who was the first trainer of 2007 Preakness winner Curlin before the horse was sold early in his 3-year-old season. “She didn’t have the best of trips at Charles Town in her last start, and it was a tough spot anyway. She loves Churchill, and we’re looking for her to run big Friday.”

The feature is the eighth of nine races and part of the Single Six (races 4-9), a 20-cent wager that began this week with nearly $380,000 in the jackpot. First post is 12:45 p.m. Eastern.

The weekend highlight at Churchill is the Grade 3 Louisville Handicap, which anchors an 11-race Saturday card with the $65,000 Opening Verse. The Preakness simulcast follows the live card Saturday.

KEY CONTENDERS

Athena, by Street Sense

Last 3 Beyers: 80-85-83

◗ Bay filly is 3 for 5 at Churchill and figures to benefit substantially from her third-place finish last month in the Sugar Maple at Charles Town in what was her first race in four months.

Lunar Gaze, by Malibu Moon

Last 3 Beyers: 82-77-80

◗ Tom Amoss-trained filly has won half of her 10 career starts and had a productive winter in Louisiana when competing in restricted stakes, ending with a gutsy triumph in her most recent start 10 weeks ago.

Run Zippy Run, by City Zip

Last 3 Beyers: 83-80-75

◗ She’s done most of her work on turf but nonetheless has shown herself proficient on the main track for Al Stall Jr.