Pimlico: Sneaky Lil steps up off $7,500 claim to take Shine Again

A little more than two weeks ago, Sneaky Lil was running for a $7,500 claiming tag. Saturday afternoon at Pimlico, the 6-year-old Sneaky Lil became a stakes winner.

Making her first start for trainer Jamie Ness and Midwest Thoroughbreds, Sneaky Lil ($14.20) came from far off the pace under Abel Castellano Jr. to take the $50,000 Shine Again for Maryland-bred fillies and mares by four lengths.

“I started letting her go at the half-mile pole and we were clear on the outside,” Castellano said. “I was worried about Over the Moon, who was behind us but didn’t keep up with us. Then I set my sights on the Grove horse [Touch the Birds], who was inside of us and getting a terrific trip. But my horse responded and kept going.”

Sneaky Lil, now 6 for 31 lifetime with earnings of $160,450, completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:47.01. All About Her finished second and Touch the Birds was third as the 6-5 favorite.

Castellano and Ness have teamed up for three victories in the first two days of the spring stand, also winning Friday’s ninth race with Frontier Warrior and Saturday's seventh with Regal Nurse.

Castellano, 28, had a riding triple Saturday and has 5 winners from 11 mounts in the first two days of Pimlico's meet.