Immortal Eyes fifth in comeback attempt

Greenway Court scored a front-running victory in Wednesday night’s $30,000 Winter Handicap for older sprinters at Charles Town. But the bigger news was the flat performance of the millionaire Immortal Eyes in his comeback attempt at age 10.

Immortal Eyes, a winner of 19 races and $1.1 million, was making his first start since he was sold last summer after an unsuccessful four-race stint with owner-trainer David Jacobson in New York and returned to the care of Maryland-based trainer Damon Dilodovico.

Sent off as the 9-5 second choice, Immortal Eyes raced three- to four-wide in fifth place throughout the 4 1/2-fulong race, was carried six wide entering the stretch, and nosed out Pure Habit to avoid finishing last. It was the first time in 15 career starts at Charles Town that Immortal Eyes failed to finish first or second.

The 6-year-old Greenway Court ($4.60), ridden by Antonio Lopez for trainer James W. Casey and Taylor Mountain Farm, improved his record to 11 for 23 lifetime, all at Charles Town. He finished three-quarters of a length in front of 108-1 outsider Ashburton Grove, completing the distance in 52.25 seconds.