Thu, 05/19/2011 - 13:22

Pimlico's Chick Lang has no clear-cut favorite

Chick Lang wasn’t much of a gambler, but he did appreciate a well-matched horse race. It’s fitting, then, that there is no clear-cut favorite among the nine 3-year-olds entered to run Saturday in the $100,000 Chick Lang Stakes (race 6), named for the late Pimlico general manager who died in March 2010.

Thu, 05/19/2011 - 13:19

Maryland Sprint at Pimlico an easier spot for Ventana

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After futilely trying to beat the likes of Smiling Tiger and Amazombie in recent races at Santa Anita, Ventana gets a far easier spot. Trainer Bob Baffert has shipped him in to Pimlico, where he will accept his top weight package of 119 pounds in the Grade 3, $100,000 Maryland Sprint Handicap on Saturday.

Thu, 05/19/2011 - 13:06

Pimlico: Stall eyes Schaefer repeat with Apart

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BALTIMORE – The 2010 Preakness card produced two of the top contenders for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic nearly six months later: Lookin At Lucky, who won the Preakness, and Blame, who won the William Donald Schaefer Handicap. As most everyone knows, Blame captured the BC Classic at Churchill Downs in an epic triumph over Zenyatta, with Lookin At Lucky finishing fourth.

Thu, 05/19/2011 - 13:01

Pimlico: Paddy O'Prado faces token opposition in Dixie

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BALTIMORE – A little later than his connections had hoped, Paddy O’Prado, an Eclipse finalist as North America’s leading 3-year-old of 2010, makes his 4-year-old debut in a rather soft renewal of the Grade 2, $200,000 Dixie Stakes on Saturday at Pimlico.

Thu, 05/19/2011 - 12:50

Hollywood's Railbird next stop for rising star Pedaltothemedal

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Pedaltothemedal was well regarded last year at 2, when sore shins cut short her campaign. She started twice, won a maiden race, and was not overhyped.

Fast forward to 2011, and trainer Art Sherman does not hide enthusiasm for Pedaltothemedal, who is likely to start favored Saturday in the Grade 3, seven-furlong Railbird Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Hollywood Park. What about the hype? Bring it.

“I haven’t been this excited about a horse in a long time,” Sherman said. “I think she’s the real McCoy.”

Thu, 05/19/2011 - 12:23

Preakness: Animal Kingdom a solid choice

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Thu, 05/19/2011 - 12:13

Gallorette Handicap: Shared Account gets heavy task in return

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BALTIMORE – The embarrassment of riches that is trainer Graham Motion’s stable will never be more on display than Saturday at Pimlico. Not only is he running the Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom in the Preakness, but three hours earlier he brings defending Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf winner Shared Account back to the races in the Grade 3, $100,000 Gallorette Handicap.

Thu, 05/19/2011 - 12:12

Canterbury: Stakes bring out top statebreds

SHAKOPEE, Minn. – The first Canterbury Park stakes races of the season are on tap Saturday with the $35,000 Lady Slipper Stakes for Minnesota-bred fillies and mares and the $35,000 10,000 Lakes Stakes for Minnesota-bred colts and geldings co-featured on a nine-race card. Both stakes will be run at six furlongs over the main track.

Thu, 05/19/2011 - 12:07

Prairie Meadows: Von Hemel has main threats in sprint stakes

ALTOONA, Iowa – Local trainer Kelly Von Hemel holds a strong hand in both of Saturday evening’s co-featured $60,000 sprint stakes for Iowa-bred 3-year-olds.

Someplace Else looks like a standout in the six-furlong Bob Bryant. She has won two straight, including a front-running, 2 3/4-length maiden win April 9 at Oaklawn Park and a three-length allowance win at Prairie Meadows on May 6.

Thu, 05/19/2011 - 12:01

Emerald Downs: Extra week's rest puts My Untamed Heart in softer spot

AUBURN, Wash. -- My Untamed Heart, one of the fastest horses at Emerald Downs through the first 12 days of the meeting, headlines Saturday’s feature race, a first-level optional $15,000 claimer for fillies and mares at six furlongs. Preakness Day festivities begin with the first live race at 2 p.m. Pacific. Animal Kingdom’s bid for the second leg of the Triple Crown is scheduled for a 3:16 post time, between the third and fourth races on Emerald’s nine-race card, and the feature is race 8.