Blind Date gets the distance

BALTIMORE Blind Date's first trip around two turns worked like a charm. Sitting just off pace-setting Listentothewindblo, Blind Date and jockey Jeremy Rose took control at the top of the stretch and comfortably held clear a late run from heavily favored Rena to win the $50,000 Hilltop Stakes.

Trained by Hamilton Smith for owner-breeder William Backer, Blind Date ($8.40) won for the fourth time in a five-start career. She had scored a sharp victory over Maryland-breds in a Pimlico turf-sprint stakes April 18, and ran right back to that performance.

Blind Date finished up in 1:42.89 for 1 1/16 miles on firm turf.

Rena bid on the inside into the stretch, but lost her momentum just before the eighth pole, and gained no late ground. Glamorous Gal finished third.