Pimlico | Horse Racing Free Tips

‘Brown’ Can Spoil The ‘Party’ at Old Hilltop

Making the second start of his current form cycle and drawn perfectly to make best use of his primary asset, Somelikeithotbrown (Big Brown)–whose sire stormed home to win the 2008 GI Preakness S. by better than five lengths–can play the role of upsetter in Saturday's GII Dinner Party S. at Pimlico.

The New York-bred toyed with his rivals from the front to upset last year's GII Bernard Baruch S. at Saratoga, but was ridden from off the pace when this event was contested last October and settled for second. The coast-to-coast winner of the state-bred restricted Mohawk S. at Belmont three weeks later, he never attempted to lead in the GII Fort Lauderdale S. at Gulfstream Dec. 12 en route to beating just one rival home. In his lone start this term, he was narrowly in front in the GI Maker's Mark Mile after attending a sharp early tempo and weakened to finish seventh. Jose Ortiz should hit the gas early from gate one Saturday.

Chad Brown won his only Dinner Party in 2016 with Takeover Target (Harlan's Holiday), and will send out 7-5 morning-line choice Sacred Life (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) as well as the progressive Kuramata (Ire) (Australia {GB}). A Group 3 winner in France at two and runner-up to the mighty Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) at that level the following season, Sacred Life has two wins from eight starts in the U.S., his biggest success coming when overwhelming his rivals in last year's Oceanport S. at Monnmouth Aug. 9. A well-beaten fourth as the favorite in the GI Turf Classic at Churchill Sept. 5, he was suited by the strong pace of the Maker's Mark and ran on mildly from the back for third.

Kuramata, a homebred for Peter Brant, was third over the Kempton all-weather in a single European appearance in 2019, but broke his maiden by 3/4 of a length when making his stateside debut at Tampa Feb. 21 and was the smooth 2 1/2-length winner of an Apr. 2 first-level allowance over the Aqueduct turf to earn himself a crack at graded company.

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First Round of Blood Tests Clean On Baffert Pimlico Horses

Per the condition of the entry agreement into the GI Preakness S. between the Maryland Jockey Club and trainer Bob Baffert reached earlier this week, Baffert-trained horses Medina Spirit (Protonico), Concert Tour (Street Sense) and Beautiful Gift (Medaglia d'Oro) underwent three rounds of out-of-competition blood sample testing. The Maryland Racing Commission (MRC) took two samples, one May 6 and the other May 10. A third sample was taken by 1/ST RACING and the Maryland Jockey Club (MJC) May 11.

Samples drawn May 6 and 10 by the MRC were sent to Industrial Laboratories in Colorado, while the samples drawn by 1/ST RACING and MJC on May 11 were sent to the University of California at Davis Maddy Laboratory.

The May 6 samples were screened for both prohibited and therapeutic substances and were reported clear for all horses Thursday by Industrial Laboratories.

Results for the May 10 and 11 samples will be available Friday, and are expected by 3:00 p.m. ET in advance of the GII George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan S., in which Beautiful Gift is entered. The outcome of those results will be announced publicly by 1/ST RACING and MJC upon receipt.

“1/ST RACING is committed to achieving the highest level of horse care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing. We have been an industry leader in instituting processes and protocols that have led to nationwide medication reform and increased accountability and transparency,” said Craig Fravel, Chief Executive Officer, 1/ST RACING. “While we acknowledge the challenging circumstances that prompted this further need for transparency, it reflects, above all else, that the principles of integrity, accountability, and safety in our sport are non-negotiable.”

In addition to third-round sampling, the medical records for all Baffert trained horses have been reviewed by Dr. Dionne Benson, Chief Veterinary Officer, 1/ST RACING. Baffert has provided medical records covering the period of Apr. 1 through May 10. Medical records for Medina Spirit reportedly reflected the dispensing of Otomax Apr. 9 and 19. Otomax is a legal, topical ointment used off-label to treat dermatitis in racehorses. Medina Spirit's medical records were compared to confidential veterinary records obtained from the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) which were submitted within 24 hours of those dates and have been verified.

Baffert also voluntarily submitted radiographs of Medina Spirit's fetlocks (ankles) and carpi (knees), which his veterinarian took at Pimlico May 12. These radiographs were reviewed by the Maryland Equine Medical Director, 1/ST RACING's Chief Veterinary Officer, and a Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons that consults with 1/ST RACING and MJC. All three veterinarians independently determined the radiographs showed no abnormal findings.

To view a copy of the Maryland Jockey Club and Bob Baffert agreement, click here.

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Pimlico: Medina Spirit Underwent Three Rounds Of Out-Of-Competition Testing; First Round Is Clear

Per the condition of entry agreement into Preakness 146 between the Maryland Jockey Club and trainer Bob Baffert reached earlier this week, Baffert trained horses Medina Spirit, Concert Tour and Beautiful Gift underwent three rounds of out-of-competition blood sample testing. The Maryland Racing Commission (MRC) took two samples, one on May 6^th and the other on May 10^th. A third sample was taken by 1/ST RACING and the Maryland Jockey Club (MJC) on May 11^th

Samples drawn on May 6^th and May 10^th by the MRC were sent to Industrial Laboratories in Colorado while the samples drawn by 1/ST RACING and MJC on May 11^th were sent to the University of California at Davis Maddy Laboratory.

The May 6^th samples were screened for both prohibited and therapeutic substances and were reported clear for all horses on May 13^th by Industrial Laboratories.

Results for the May 10^th and May 11^th samples will be available on Friday, May 14^th and are expected by 3:00 pm ET in advance of the George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (GII) for which Beautiful Gift is currently entered. The outcome of those results will be announced publicly by 1/ST RACING and MJC upon receipt.

Consistent with the fair procedures and practices established by 1/ST RACING and MJC, the additional tests and monitoring are being conducted as part of the rigorous condition of entry agreement to ensure the fairness and integrity of the races with horses entered by Baffert, which are the George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (GII) and the 146^th Preakness Stakes (GI).

In addition to third-round sampling, the medical records for all Baffert trained horses have been reviewed by Dr. Dionne Benson, Chief Veterinary Officer, 1/ST RACING. Baffert has provided medical records covering the period of April 1^st through May 10^th. Medical records for Medina Spirit reflected the dispensing of Otomax® on April 9^th and April 19^th. Otomax® is a legal, topical ointment used off-label to treat dermatitis in racehorses. Medina Spirit's medical records were compared to confidential veterinary records obtained from the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) which were submitted within 24 hours of those dates and have been verified.

Baffert also voluntarily submitted radiographs of Medina Spirit's fetlocks (ankles) and carpi (knees) which his veterinarian took at Pimlico on May 12^th. These radiographs were reviewed by the Maryland Equine Medical Director, 1/ST RACING's Chief Veterinary Officer, and a Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons that consults with 1/ST RACING and MJC. All three veterinarians independently determined the radiographs showed no abnormal findings.

The post Pimlico: Medina Spirit Underwent Three Rounds Of Out-Of-Competition Testing; First Round Is Clear appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Pimlico Offers Wagering Smorgasbord For Black-Eyed Susan, Preakness Programs

A weekend of world-class racing and entertainment is set to get under way with spectacular back-to-back 14-race programs at Pimlico Race Course highlighted by Friday's 97^th running of the $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan (G2) and Saturday's 146^th Preakness Stakes (G1), the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown.

Preakness Weekend – the richest and most visible on the Maryland racing calendar which this year features 16 stakes, 10 graded, worth $3.25 million in purses over the two-day span – returns to its traditional spot in mid-May after being pushed back to early October 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic, the latest in its history.

Black-Eyed Susan Day gets under way at 11:30 a.m. and will have six stakes, four graded, worth $1 million in purses anchored by the prestigious 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-old fillies that has produced seven Hall of Famers and four other divisional champions including one Preakness winner (Nellie Morse, 1924) since first run as the Pimlico Oaks in 1919.

The Black-Eyed Susan is carded as Race 13 with a scheduled post time of 5:47 p.m. EST. Among its supporting stakes are the historic $250,000 Pimlico Special (G3) for 3-year-olds and up at the Preakness distance of 1 3/16 miles; $150,000 Allaire du Pont for fillies and mares 3 and older going 1 1/8 miles; and $150,000 Miss Preakness (G3), a six-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies.

Advance wagering for the entire Preakness Day program will be available on Friday's Black-Eyed Susan Day. There will also be a special double wager linking the Black-Eyed Susan and Preakness, with a $1 minimum bet.

The Early Pick 5 begins in Race 2 (12:01 p.m.) while the Late Pick 5 covers Races 9-13 and includes the $100,000 The Very One, Miss Preakness, $100,000 Hilltop, Pimlico Special and Black-Eyed Susan.

Saturday's Preakness Day begins at 10:30 a.m. ET with the $100,000 Sir Barton for 3-year-olds leading off a lineup of 10 stakes, six graded, worth $2.25 million in purses. The Preakness, mid-point for 11 of the 13 Triple Crown winners including its two most recent in American Pharoah (2015) and Justify (2018), was won in historic fashion last fall by Swiss Skydiver, just the sixth filly to accomplish the feat in a race that dates back to 1873.

Post time for the Preakness, carded as Race 13, is scheduled for 6:47 p.m.

Other graded-stakes on the Preakness Day program are the $250,000 Dinner Party (G2) for 3-year-olds and up and $150,000 Gallorette (G3) for females 3 and older, both 1 1/16 miles on grass; $200,000 Chick Lang (G3) for 3-year-olds sprinting six furlongs; $150,000 Maryland Sprint (G3), a six-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up; and $100,000 UAE President Cup (G1) for Arabian horses.

The Early Pick 5 begins in Race 2 (11:05 a.m.) while the Late Pick 5 spans Races 9-13 and includes the $100,000 Runhappy Skipat, $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint, Maryland Sprint, Dinner Party and Preakness.

Irad Ortiz Jr., winner of the past three Eclipse Awards as North America's champion jockey, has 15 mounts over Preakness Weekend including 14 of the 15 Thoroughbred stakes. He is named on stakes winner The Grass Is Blue in the Black-Eyed Susan and Jan. 16 Lecomte (G3) winner Midnight Bourbon in the Preakness.

Mike Maker will look to claim the top prize of $50,000 for a second straight year in the Maryland Jockey Club's Preakness Weekend stakes bonus program. Maker entered eight horses in six different stakes, including Army Wife in the Black-Eyed Susan and the pair of Last Judgment and Treasure Trove in the Pimlico Special.

Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, the top prize winner in 2017 and 2018, entered horses in 10 stakes, led by Midnight Bourbon in the Preakness. Reigning Eclipse Award winner Brad Cox has horses entered in five stakes, among them is Adventuring in the Black-Eyed Susan.

A total of $100,000 in bonus money is available to trainers who run a minimum of five horses in the 15 Thoroughbred stakes races during Preakness Weekend. The trainer with the most points will receive $50,000, second $25,000, third $12,000, fourth $7,000, fifth $4,000 and sixth $2,000.

Points are accumulated for finishing first (10 points), second (seven), third (five), fourth (three) and fifth through last (one).

There will also be bonus money totaling $50,000 for trainers with the most points in non-stakes races during Preakness weekend. The points are accumulated in similar fashion with $25,000 going to the leader, $10,000 to second, $7,000 to third, $4,000 to fourth, $2,500 to fifth and $1,000 to sixth.

Preakness LIVE, a wholly reimagined entertainment experience featuring legendary DJ and 2021 NAACP Image Awards Entertainer of the Year D-Nice, Grammy Award-winning rapper 2 Chainz and 2020 breakout rapper Jack Harlow, will be part of the Preakness Day festivities.

Excerpts of Preakness LIVE performances will be shown on NBC during the live race day broadcast from 5-7 p.m. EST and live on D-Nice's #ClubQuarantine Instagram, which will also live stream the Preakness 146 JockeyCam, a thrilling 'second screen experience' that will give fans at home a real-time view of what it is like to be a jockey riding in the Preakness Stakes.

With standardized COVID-19 protocols in place, Preakness 146 weekend will host 10,000 fans for a socially distant entertainment event. Preakness LIVE will offer socially distanced pods for groups of eight to provide a unique and private concert viewing environment for concertgoers. To amplify the experience, food, drinks, merchandise and more will be accessible via mobile phone ordering and served directly to guests in their seated pods along with contactless wagering via the 1/ST BET app.

Tickets for Preakness LIVE can be purchased online at www.preakness.com

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