Black-Eyed Susan Card Kicks Off Preakness Weekend

BALTIMORE, MD–The past two weeks has seen the kind of drama that one might expect in soap opera, laden with twists and turns that have left even the most seasoned turfwriters scratching their heads in disbelief. However, despite the all head-snapping headlines, the days leading up to this year's Preakness at Pimlico were business as usual. Thursday morning's activity matched the Baltimore weather, brisk and clear, with everything seemingly running without any major glitches. Following a brief hiatus because of the COVID pandemic, the morning tours were back in force at Pimlico, and given the robust turnout, it appeared fans remained eager to come out and experience racing's biggest events. Meanwhile, the 1/ST team of vets were clearly getting their steps in, making their rounds throughout the Preakness barns, while the typical mass of reporters milled about waiting for the reigning Kentucky Derby champ Mage (Good Magic) to make his way to the track promptly after the break at about 8:45a.m.

 

Faiza Puts Unbeaten Record on the Line
Friday's card at Pimlico is highlighted by a trio of graded stakes, anchored by the nine-furlong GII George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan S. The one clearly to beat is the undefeated Michael Lund Petersen's Faiza (Girvin), who has reeled off four consecutive graded victories, including the GI Starlet S. last December. This season, she won the GIII Las Virgenes S. and GIII Santa Ysabel S. before taking the GII Santa Anita Oaks.

“She's very professional. She's got a really good mind,” said trainer Bob Baffert. “Every time [Flavien] Prat rides, he says there is so much more in the tank because she doesn't win by a lot. I think [the Black-Eyed Susan] is going to be a step up. She will be running against more horses, so you never know. But she's doing really well.”

In Faiza's latest start in the Apr. 8 Santa Anita Oaks, she rolled home an impressive 6 1/2-length winner.

“She was really on when he asked her to go. I trained her a little bit stiffer for that one because I figured it was going to be a tougher race,” Baffert explained. “She looks great. She's healthy. She's really in the zone right now. I think she would have been tough in the [Kentucky] Oaks, but we'll find out in the Black-Eyed Susan.”

Flying a bit under the radar is Madaket Stables' Balpool (Uncaptured), who rides a two-race win skein. A comfortable winner going a mile at the Big A Apr. 7, the Florida-bred followed up with another in an off-turf renewal of the Memories of Silver S. at that venue Apr. 29.

“We were kind of scratching our heads as to what kind of filly she was,” admitted trainer Rob Atras. “That allowance race came up, so we figured we'd give her another shot in there and she really handled that field well that day. She really finished up good and kind of ran away from them. We got a little lucky with the stake [coming off the turf] but she still beat a couple decent fillies in there so, to me, it looks like she's progressing and getting better with every start. We're kind of excited about her and we're hoping that if we do run that she'll take another step forward.”

Brad Cox offers a two-pronged attack with Don Alberto's Merlazza (Medaglia d'Oro) and Godolphin homebred Comparative (Street Sense). The former won two of her first three starts before adding a victory in Oaklawn's Valley Of The Vapors S. Apr. 22.

“We have been pointing to this race with her since she won the first level allowance at the Fair Grounds [Mar. 25],” confirmed Cox.

Florent Geroux, who was aboard for her first three starts before being replaced by Joel Rosario for her latest, gets back aboard Friday.

In regard to her latest victory, Cox explained, “I just liked the way the race came up at Oaklawn. I thought she fit very well. It was a bit oddly run since there wasn't much pace and she sat behind horses and Joel did a good job of getting her out and letting her finish up.”

Although stepping up to graded company for the first time, Cox remains confident the Don Alberto homebred is up to the task.

“She's had two solid works since at Churchill and she shipped well and looks amazing,” he said. “I think she'll handle the mile and an eighth. It's her first attempt at graded stakes company but I think she's that caliber.”

And another reason to run at Pimlico?

“I obviously want to keep her away from Wet Paint,” he said with a chuckle.

Comparative needed several tries to get going, but finally broke through going 8 1/2 furlongs at the Fair Grounds in February before making it two straight in a Keeneland optional claimer Apr. 7. Luis Saez was aboard for both her career victories.

“I think Merlazza is probably a little bit quicker off the blocks than Comparative, but I think I would like Luis to keep Comparative involved [early],” Cox explained. “I think she does her best running when she's up close, and she showed that in her last two. She's stepping up in competition and we're going to need to see her move forward.”

 

Friday Undercard Packs Competitive Affairs
Cox also packs a punch in the six-furlong GIII Miss Preakness S. with morning line favorite Key of Life (Mo Town). The winner of three consecutive races last season, including the Myrtlewood S. at Keeneland, the bay finished third in the mud in the Dixie Belle S. at Oaklawn in February before annexing two straight in the Purple Mountain S. followed by the seven-furlong Beaumont S. at Keeneland Apr. 16.

“That's a good race,” said Cox of the Miss Preakness. “It's not a big field but it's a competitive group. There are some other fillies in there with speed, so I think it's going to be a jock's race. Flavien [Prat] is going to have to figure out a trip from down on the inside. They'll obviously need to get out and get some position, but hopefully, we can have enough late so she can finish down the lane.”

Trying to play the role of spoiler in the Miss Preakness is undefeated Maple Leaf Mel (Cross Traffic). All three of her wins have been recorded while facing New York-bred competition, including her sole start in 2023 in the East View S. at Aqueduct Mar. 24. She is campaigned by famed Hall of Fame football coach Bill Parcell's August Dawn Farm.

In the male handicap division, Twin Creeks' Law Professor (Constitution) will try and collect his first graded score since taking the 2021 renewal of the GII Santa Anita Mathis Mile. Victorious in last season's Tapit S. at Kentucky Downs before finishing runner-up to Life Is Good in the GI Woodward S. and a fifth in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, the gelding launched 2023 with a win in the Queen's County S. at Aqueduct in January before coming home third in Oaklawn's GIII Razorback H. Feb. 18. Well supported in a muddy renewal of the nine-furling Excelsior Apr. 1, he came home a 4 1/4-length winner. Manny Franco, who was aboard for both wins this season, gets the call.

Also coming into this year's Pimlico Special off a win is Lucky Seven Stable's Rattle N Roll (Connect), victorious in the GIII Ben Ali S. at Keeneland Apr. 22. Trained by Ken McPeek, the chestnut won three races at the stakes level, including the GIII Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park.

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Key Of Life Just Hangs On In Beaumont

The model of consistency in her young career, Key of Life (Mo Town) turned in another gutsy performance Sunday with a coast-to-coast win in the GII Beaumont S., the final race in the 2023 Road to the Kentucky Oaks.

Never off the board in her seven prior starts, including a three-race win streak last Fall at both Churchill Downs and Keeneland, the $350,000 OBS April grad entered off a 3 1/4-length score in Oaklawn's Purple Martin S. where she posted a career-best 91 Beyer Speed Figure.

Bet like a sure thing at 2-5, Key of Life cruised to the early lead right from the jump despite her outside gate and cleared down just off the rail with Opus Forty Two (Mendelssohn) and Stonewall Star (Flatter) in hot pursuit a length back. Alone on the front end through swift opening fractions of :22.24 and :44.87, Key of Life hit the quarter pole looking as if the race was all but won. But further back in the field, Interpolate was coming with an eye-catching rally from fourth, circling up past both pursuers to move into second despite a wide run around the turn. With a furlong left to race and Key of Life still to catch, Interpolate kept grinding away, pulling within a neck but coming up just short as Key of Life found the wire first. With the win, Key of Life earned 10 points towards the GI Kentucky Oaks in less than three weeks time.

“She's very fast away from (the gate) and she's obviously got a lot of speed,” said winning trainer Brad Cox. “She likes Keeneland a lot. I like Keeneland and she likes Keeneland; she's three-for-three here. I'd like to congratulate (owners) Staton Flurry and Greg Hoffman (of Flurry Racing Stables and Hoffman Family Racing, respectively). This was a last-minute decision, so I want to commend those guys. I called them Tuesday and told them I was looking at this race. She was at Oaklawn, so it was a last-minute decision to bring her here and it worked out well. She had no graded black type, so that obviously was appealing. This (win) added a lot to her value and we're very proud of what she was able to accomplish today.”

Pedigree Notes:

The fourth winner from as many to make the races out of Longride to Wisdom, Key of Life traces back to MGSW and current Hill 'n' Dale stallion Kantharos (Lion Heart). She becomes the third graded-stakes winner for Mo Town whose first crop are now 3-year-olds.

Sunday, Keeneland
BEAUMONT S. PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SELECT-GII, $390,250, Keeneland, 4-16, 3yo, f, 7f, 1:27.32, ft.
1–KEY OF LIFE, 118, f, 3, by Mo Town
                1st Dam: Longride to Wisdom, by Harlan's Holiday
                2nd Dam: Clever Idea, by Matchlite
                3rd Dam: Queen of Savoy, by Conquistador Cielo
   1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($42,000 Ylg '21 OBSOCT; $350,000
2yo '22 OBSAPR). O-Flurry Racing Stables LLC & Hoffman
Family Racing, LLC; B-Moreau Bloodstock International, Inc.
(KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Flavien Prat. $241,800. Lifetime Record:
8-5-0-3, $633,275. Werk Nick Rating: A++.
   Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Interpolate, 118, f, 3, Into Mischief–Keesha, by Tapit.
1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($210,000 Ylg '21 KEEJAN; $300,000
Ylg '21 FTSAUG). O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Capital Bloodstock
(KY); T-Chad C. Brown. $78,000.
3–Stonewall Star, 118, f, 3, Flatter–Jonata, by Proud Citizen.
1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O-Barry K. Schwartz; B-Stonewall
Farm (NY); T-Horacio De Paz. $29,250.
Margins: NK, 6 1/4, 3 3/4. Odds: 0.47, 4.48, 5.87.
Also Ran: She's On the Rocks, Opus Forty Two, Shoplifter, Fun and Feisty. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

 

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Key of Life Favored in Beaumont

Flurry Racing Stables and Hoffman Family Racing's Key of Life (Mo Town) is the even-money favorite on the morning line for Sunday's GII Beaumont S. at Keeneland, the lone graded offering of the day in the U.S. The bay filly, who faces six rivals in the seven-furlong event for 3-year-old fillies, comes off a front-running tally in the Mar. 25 Purple Mountain S.

While she will be trying seven furlongs for the first time in her career, the Brad Cox trainee already owns a pair of victories over the Keeneland surface. She romped by 6 1/4 lengths in a optional claimer last October before adding a 6 3/4-length victory in the Oct. 28 Myrtlewood S. Both of those efforts were at six furlongs.

Cox, who won the GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. with First Mission (Street Sense) on Saturday's card at Keeneland, will be looking for his second straight win in the Beaumont, following Matareya (Pioneerof the Nile)'s victory a year ago.

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Key of Life Becomes First Black-Type Winner for Mo Town

Key of Life became the first black-type winner for her freshman sire (by Uncle Mo) with a decisive score in Keeneland's Myrtlewood S. Friday. Hammered down to 3-5 favoritism off consecutive scores, the $350,000 OBSAPR acquisition seized the early advantage, zipping through a :22.34 opening quarter with a rival in hot pursuit. Turning for home in front after a half in :45.91, the bay opened up with ease in the lane to win for fun.

“She really has put it together over the last month or so,” said winning trainer Brad Cox. “Her win at Churchill she ran big, but she came back here and I thought really showed who she is opening weekend (when she won by 6 1/4 lengths). We took her back to Churchill and she was training well, and this race came up with a big field so (we decided to) give it a shot. We liked the (post position) she drew. She broke well. Very happy with her performance today.”

Third on debut behind a 'TDN Rising Star'-worthy performance form Summer Promise (Uncle Mo) at Churchill Downs June 25, Key of Life broke through next out there Aug. 13 and followed suit with an optional claimer score at this oval Oct. 7. Longride to Wisdom did not have a foal in 2021, but had a Caracaro filly this year and was bred back to Honor A.P. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

MYRTLEWOOD S., $200,000, Keeneland, 10-28, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:11.09, ft.
1–KEY OF LIFE, 118, f, 2, by Mo Town
                1st Dam: Longride to Wisdom, by Harlan's Holiday
                2nd Dam: Clever Idea, by Matchlite
                3rd Dam: Queen of Savoy, by Conquistador Cielo
($42,000 Ylg '21 OBSOCT; $350,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR).
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O-Flurry Racing Stables LLC and
Hoffman Family Racing, LLC; B-Moreau Bloodstock
International, Inc. (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Florent Geroux.
$116,250. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-1, $263,710. *First black-
type winner for freshman sire (by Uncle Mo).
2–Lady Radler, 118, f, 2, Kantharos–Sally Bowles (Saf), by
London News (Saf). ($37,000 2yo '22 OBSMAR).
1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Mellon Patch, Inc.; B-Stonestreet
Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Michael B. Campbell.
$37,500.
3–Baby Got Backspin, 118, f, 2, Kantharos–Showtime Sis, by
Euroears. ($67,000 Ylg '21 EASOCT). 1ST BLACK TYPE.
O-Bregman Family Racing LLC; B-Daniel Mallory, Cathy
Jennings, Amy Bayle & Bloom Racing LLC (KY); T-George R.
Arnold, II. $18,750.
Margins: 6 3/4, 1 3/4, HD. Odds: 0.67, 30.50, 9.37.
Also Ran: Take Charge Briana, Satin Doll, Two Minute Drill, Flamand, Somebody's Problem, Willow Bend, Time for Champagne. Scratched: Alva Starr.

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