Pimlico

BALTIMORE, MD -- He's baaack. The truth of the matter, trainer Bob Baffert never really went away. The Hall of Famer's omnipresent influence--be it through his runners or the offspring of the stallions he helped mold--can be felt everywhere, regardless of whether the man shows up or not. Conspicuous in his absence at Churchill Downs two weeks ago, Baffert did make his first appearance on the Pimlico backstretch Friday morning, surrounded by a rockstar-caliber entourage, including his kids and his wife Jill, in addition to SF Bloodstock's Tom Ryan and...

Baltimore, MD-All eyes turn to Baltimore this weekend where Pimlico features an eight-race graded showcase, beginning with Friday's GII George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan S. card, featuring 3-year-old fillies. Installed the 5-2 morning line favorite for the nine-furlong test, Madaket Stables and Slam Dunk Racing's Corposo (Vino Rosso) ran an even race in the Apr. 6 Santa Anita Oaks, but could only finish third, beaten eighth lengths, by Nothing Like You (Malibu Moon). "I don't think she's going to cry about the distance too much, at least that's what her...

Baltimore, MD--The stage may have changed but the show remains the same. Two weeks ago, the Triple Crown train ran through Louisville, where all were treated to a sensory assault that can only be understood when experienced first-hand. With the tour moving on to Pimlico this week, there is an undeniable adjustment. It's something like comparing Taylor Swift to Courtney Love. No further explanation required. However, despite all of its shortcomings (and no, the elevator is still not working), Pimlico and the GI Preakness S. offer a charm that many...

With the scratch of GISW and 'TDN Rising Star' Muth (Good Magic) from Saturday's GI Preakness S. due to a temperature, Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing, Daniel Hamby III, and Valley View Farm LLC's Mystik Dan (Goldencents) is expected to be the favorite. The GI Kentucky Derby winner galloped 1 3/16 miles on a sloppy, sealed surface Wednesday morning under retired jockey Robby Albarado at Pimlico after the renovation break. "I'm doing a rain dance all this week," said Albarado. "I'm not saying he has to take a racetrack with...

The Alibi Breakfast, held Thursday at Pimlico Race Course, will honor WBAL-Radio and photographer John Voorhees for their coverage of the 2023 GI Preakness S. WBAL-Radio will receive the David F. Woods Award while Voorhees, working on behalf of Eclipse Sportswire, will be recognized for his photo of last year's Preakness winner National Treasure (Quality Road) and jockey John Velazquez. Tickets for the Alibi Breakfast can be purchased here.

In the few days after Mystik Dan (Goldencents) pulled an 18-1 upset in the GI Kentucky Derby, there was the real possibility that none of the 20 horses that competed in the first leg of the Triple Crown would press on to Saturday's GI Preakness S. By Sunday afternoon, any such concerns had abated--the Derby winner had been confirmed by trainer Ken McPeek and Derby fourth Catching Freedom (Constitution) was also given the green light by Brad Cox, joining a field that had already included two each from Hall of...

Having arrived on a van from Louisville on Sunday, GI Kentucky Derby hero Mystik Dan (Goldencents) took to a sloppy and sealed main track at Pimlico Race Course for the first time Monday morning. If the bay looked at home in the wet conditions, it should come as no surprise. Prior to his narrow success in the Derby, his career highlight came in the Feb. 3 GIII Southwest S., when he relished a muddy strip to crush by eight lengths. "He's such a smart horse. He takes everything in," said...

GI Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents), who was confirmed for the GI Preakness S. Saturday by trainer Kenny McPeek, traveled Sunday to Pimlico Race Course and arrived shortly after 4 p.m. accompanied by McPeek's assistant trainer Ray Bryner. "No muss, no fuss," said Bryner. "He's a really easy horse to be around, not complicated." Bryner indicated that the colt's plans for the week included a Monday gallop over the Pimlico surface following the 8:30 a.m. renovation break.   Mystik Dan headed to @PimlicoRC @PreaknessStakes pic.twitter.com/JWbxDKibZe — Kenny McPeek (@KennyMcPeek)...

GIII Honeybee S. winner Lemon Muffin (Collected), eighth behind Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) in last week's GI Kentucky Oaks, will contest the GII Black-Eyed Susan S. Friday at Pimlico Race Course. The field of eight, which was drawn Sunday, also includes Jeanne Marie (Speightster), Ringy Dingy (Dialed In), Call Another Play (Audible), Gun Song (Gun Song), Whocouldaskformo (Uncle Mo), Corposo (Vino Rosso) and Recharge (Gun Runner). "She has her days when she's up and down and everything," said trainer D. Wayne Lukas of Lemon Muffin. "On her best day, she's...

Sunrise at Old Hilltop, an event which offers fans a chance to take a behind-the-scenes walking tour of Pimlico Race Course, will once again be part of the Preakness week lineup in 2024, it was announced via presser Friday. Admission is free to the tours--which run on a first-come, first-served basis between 6:00 and 9:00 a.m. from Tuesday, May 14 through Friday, May 17--and patrons can sign up at the registration tent on the track apron. It will not be required to register ahead of time in order to take...

Kenny McPeek's final decision on GI Kentucky Derby-winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents)'s Preakness appearance should come Saturday after training at Churchill Downs and post-discussion with the owners. The Derby hero went through a second day of galloping beneath the Twin Spires Friday morning under Robby Albarado and will likely pick up the pace Saturday morning. Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. will have other mounts Preakness weekend and will be riding at Pimlico regardless of the final choice. "Another steady day, another good day. Robby was happy. [Mystik Dan] ate up. We'll discuss...

Each slated for a tilt in Preakness 149 May 18, MGISW Muth (Good Magic) and GSW & GISP Imagination (Into Mischief) worked six furlongs in company Friday morning at Santa Anita. Officially clocked in 1:11.90, Bob Baffert liked what he saw from the pair and mentioned he was still deciding if any other horses would join his Preakness hopefuls on the trip over to Pimlico, but that he'd wait until entry day to make a final decision. If everything goes to plan, both are scheduled to ship to Baltimore Tuesday,...