BALTIMORE – The $125,000 Skipat Stakes did not receive a graded designation on the Preakness Day undercard, but Zeitlos was all class charging down the stretch to win by 1 1/2 lengths. After the mare wrapped up her 2024 season with a Grade 2 victory and trip to the Breeders’ Cup, trainer Steve Asmussen wanted to ease her back into action for her belated 5-year-old debut.  “I thought this was the perfect spot to start her season,” Asmussen said. “And she’s as fast as ever, if not faster. Curlin filly, better with age. She’s all class. Huge win.”  Though Zeitlos was seeking class relief at Pimlico Race Course Saturday, the Skipat was no walk in the park for last year’s Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America winner. The field of six also included One Magic Philly, who finished ahead of Zeitlos in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint last year, and Striker Has Dial, a 4-year-old filly returning to stakes company after two commanding allowance victories at Aqueduct for trainer Horacio De Paz.  :: Get Preakness Betting Strategies for exclusive wagering insights, contender analysis, and more When long-shot early leader Disco Ebo began to come back to the field after completing a quarter-mile in 23.48 seconds, Striker Has Dial was the first to strike and stuck a head in front on the far turn through a half-mile in 46.49 seconds. Zeitlos moved up to third behind her, stalking a length behind the top pair.  By the time the field reached the top of the stretch, Striker Has Dial was still a head in front, but Disco Ebo was no longer the nearest threat. Zeitlos kept moving forward as a far more daunting presence to his outside. De Paz’s upstart filly dug in under Kendrick Carmouche but could do very little as Zeitlos and Jose Ortiz easily drove past.  “A perfect trip,” Ortiz said. “She broke great and put me a lot closer than I thought she would. That really helped me a lot. Steve [Asmussen] told me she would probably be a little bit sharper today coming off the layoff. She put herself in there without being rushed. She does not like to be rushed. Doing it by herself allowed her to be a lot more patient and I was ready to go whenever I wanted to.”  Zeitlos finished the six-furlong race in 1:11.20. Asmussen did not expect her to pay $8.00 to win after bettors made her the third choice. One Magic Philly, the even-money favorite, closed from fifth but had to settle for third behind Striker Has Dial, who was far from disgraced while stepping up in class.  “When you get to the older sprint division, they sort it out,” Asmussen said. “Obviously some accomplished fast runners. I was surprised she wasn’t favorite. I mean, she’s 8 for 17 in her career.”  The trainer confirmed his long-term plans to bring Zeitlos back to the Breeders’ Cup later this year, but he did not mention any race as a potential next start. Last year, she ran most of her races over the summer in Kentucky but also went to Saratoga in July to try the turf in the Grade 3 Caress. For now, Asmussen is content with the knowledge that his mare still has plenty to offer, justifying his big plans down the road.  :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.