Irish War Cry faces sharp rivals in Pimlico Special

BALTIMORE – The form of some entrants in the $300,000 Pimlico Special on Friday is clear to see. For others, you have to read between the lines.

Something Awesome has won five of his last six starts, including the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic. Rated R Superstar came flying to win the Grade 3 Ben Ali at Keeneland and should appreciate the added sixteenth of a mile of the 1 3/16-mile Special. Afleet Willy is always dangerous because of his early speed and versatility.

On the other side of the coin, Irish War Cry and Hedge Fund come into the Grade 3 Special off poor races. Throw them out at your own risk.

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Irish War Cry turned in a promising effort in his 4-year-old debut, finishing second in the Grade 3 Hal’s Hope. He was favored in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Mile last out but tired badly in the stretch to finish last.

Trainer Graham Motion said Irish War Cry came out of that race with an electrolyte imbalance – the thumps – which can cause a horse’s diaphragm and heart to get off beat, making it difficult to breathe.

The Gulfstream Mile was the second bad race Irish War Cry has run in the heat and humidity of Florida. He turned in a similar effort as the favorite in the 2017 Fountain of Youth.

“I thought a little that might have been what happened in the Fountain of Youth but didn’t want to make too many excuses,” Motion said.

To avoid the thumps, Motion said he has cut back on the dosage of Lasix that will be given to Irish War Cry. He also should benefit from the cool weather Friday. Rain also is forecast. Irish War Cry’s only effort over an off track came in the 2017 Kentucky Derby.

“People might say he did not run in the slop at Churchill, but I don’t think that was it,” Motion said. “I don’t think a wet track will bother him.”

Irish War Cry should take up a stalking position behind Hedge Fund, One Liner, and Afleet Willy.

Hedge Fund hopped in the air at the start of his last race, the $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap. He rushed up into contention but then tired while facing Grade 1-caliber runners City of Light and Accelerate.

With a better beginning, the Todd Pletcher-trained 4-year-old should be on or near the lead Friday.

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Pletcher also has entered One Liner, who has speed.

Something Awesome’s career has turned around amazingly since the Stronach Stable sent him from Woodbine to Laurel Park-based trainer Jose Corrales. The switch from a synthetic surface to dirt has rejuvenated the 7-year-old, whose wins this season include the $1.2 million Charles Town Classic at 1 1/8 miles and the Grade 3 General George at seven furlongs.

He has recorded career-best Beyer Speed Figures in his last four races. Edgar Prado, who won his 7,000th career race Tuesday at Parx Racing, is 2 for 2 on him.

“This horse has surprised me so much,” Corrales said. “I can’t ask for any more. He has been such a big plus in my life.

“Edgar rides him so perfect. It’s like he’s on a hammock on the front porch. He swings him one way, he swings him the other way.”

Afleet Willy is in the best form of his career at age 5 for Claudio Gonzalez, the leading trainer by wins in Maryland in 2017. He inherited the lead three furlongs from home in the Charles Town Classic when favored Diversify suddenly backed up. Afleet Willy was outfinished and finished fourth, beaten 1 1/2 lengths.

“The Pletcher horses have speed,” Gonzalez said. “If they don’t go, I will. If they do go, I will sit second or third. I don’t need the lead.”

Rated R Superstar is 5 for 24 in his career for trainer Ken McPeek but is 2 for his last 4. He has rallied from far back to win at Keeneland and Oaklawn this year, and if things get crowded on the front end, he could be the beneficiary under Javier Castellano.

Discreet Lover did not run well for Uriah St. Lewis in the Charles Town Classic but was returning two weeks after winning the Grade 3 Excelsior at Aqueduct. He comes into the Special off a four-week break.