Camden Street seeks first stakes win in James W. Murphy
BALTIMORE – Camden Street took advantage of a soft pace to score a front-running victory in his last start. If the weather forecast for Pimlico holds true, he might have to negotiate a soft turf course Saturday, when he shoots for his first stakes victory in the $100,000 James W. Murphy Stakes for 3-year-olds.
The condition of the turf will play a major part in this race, both in terms of who might perform well on it and who might run. Ground Control, for instance, is cross-entered in the Sir Barton Stakes, which is on dirt, but if the Murphy gets moved to the main track, it might come up an easier spot, what with so many turf specialists signed up.
::Watch Saturday’s Preakness Day card live
Assuming it stays on turf, though, Camden Street should be one of the top contenders in the one-mile race. He has won twice in four starts, most recently against allowance company at Aqueduct going 1 1/16 miles.
“We’re hoping he can make the move up to stakes competition,” said his trainer, Todd Pletcher. “He can sit off the pace if the fractions are strong or go to the lead.”
Special Envoy, who has never finished out of the money in four tries, looks like the one to beat. He closed fast for third against allowance company at Keeneland last time out.
::2014 PREAKNESS STAKES: Latest news, video, and more
British import Thunder Strike has a right to improve second time out in this country.
If the race is moved to the main track, dirt specialists like Joint Custody – third in the Federico Tesio Stakes in his last start – must be promoted to prominent positions on all tickets.