Pimlico: Move to Strike wins off layoff

Move to Strike entered the $50,000 at Pimlico off a three-month layoff, a break he apparently needed.

Beaten a combined 58 1/2 lengths in his previous three starts in roughly the same company, Move to Strike returned a revived horse. He sprinted to as much as a six-length lead early in the six-furlong race, then battled late to outfinish the fast-closing Wimplestiltskin by a nose.

On Thin Ice finished another 2 1/4 lengths back in third in the field of seven 3-year-olds. Senor Ladd, the 2.30-1 favorite, saved ground and never fired, finishing in a dead heat for sixth.

Move to Strike, ridden by Erick Rodriguez, was timed in 1:10.59 over a muddy track. Coupled in the betting with the Feb Eleven - both are owned by Michael Gill and trained by Ken Cox - he paid $7.20 to win.