To be eligible for the bonus, trainers had to start a minimum of five horses in the 15 Thoroughbred stakes races. Points were assigned based on finish position–first (10), second (seven), third (five), fourth (three) and fifth through last (one). The trainer with the most points earned $50,000, followed by $25,000 for second, $12,000 for third, $7,000 for fourth, $4,000 for fifth and $2,000 for sixth.

Motion, who celebrated his 59th birthday Monday, saddled seven horses in three stakes overall over the two days, which included Nagirroc (Lea) winning in the Listed James W. Murphy S., three of the top five finishers in the GIII Gallorette S. and two of the top four finishers in the GIII Dinner Party S. Overall the veteran conditioner earned 34 points, three more than runner-up Chad Brown.

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The bay filly, off at 4-1 here, was content to settle towards the rear of the field as 9-1 shot After Eight (Into Mischief) led the way. As the pace began to quicken around the far turn, the homebred went five wide into the lane, began to accelerate after a lead change past the eighth pole and got up in time over Breath Away (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}).

The winner is out of an Irish-bred who won four group races in her homeland and counts G1SW Dutch Art (GB) (Medicean {GB}) as a half-brother. She is also responsible for Monarch of Egypt (American Pharoah), who ran second in the G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. at The Curragh and a yearling filly named Star of Bombay (Medaglia d'Oro).

HILLTOP S. PRESENTED BY AEROVANTI, $100,000, Pimlico,
5-19, 3yo, f, 1mT, 1:34.10, fm.
1–ASPRAY, 118, f, 3, by Quality Road
                1st Dam: Up (Ire) (MGSW-Ire, G1SP-Fr, $379,468), by
                                Galileo (Ire)
                2nd Dam: Halland Park Lass (Ire), by Spectrum (Ire)
                3rd Dam: Palacegate Episode (Ire), by Drumalis (Ire)
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O/B-Ran Jan Racing, Inc. (KY); T-Chad C. Brown; J-Flavien Prat. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $86,210. *1/2 to Monarch of Egypt (American Pharoah), G1SP-Ire, GSP-Eng, $213,941.
2–Breath Away (GB), 118, f, 3, Bated Breath (GB)–Darling Grace (GB), by Nayef. (92,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; 230,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Steven Rocco and Tango Uniform Racing LLC; B-Highgate Stud (GB); T-Christophe Clement. $20,000.
3–Hang the Moon, 118, f, 3, Uncle Mo–Moondance, by Malibu Moon. ($200,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-CJ Thoroughbreds; B-Repole Stable, Inc. (KY); T-Michael Stidham. $10,000.
Margins: HF, 2 1/4, 1HF. Odds: 4.30, 1.90, 20.40.
Also Ran: Up and Down, Thirty Thou Kelvin, Miss New York, After Eight, Well Into, Aunt Shirley, Ice Cube Baby, Lil Spinner.
Scratched: Majestic Creed.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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The grey soon overtook the fast-starting Key of Life and maintained a measured advantage over the favorite through :22.26 and:45.21 splits. In control but drifting out in the stretch, Maple Leaf Mel gave Joel Rosario no anxious moments as she strolled way to an easy, albeit short, winning margin.

“She had a lot of speed,” said Rosario, who has been aboard all four of the grey's starts. “Her break wasn't really fast but she has so much speed. After she got to the lead, she looked around a little bit. And I just let her do her thing and hopefully she had something left turning for home.”

A five-length winner facing Empire-breds in her career debut at the Spa early last August, she followed up with another front-running victory there in the slop in the Seeking the Ante S. a bit more than two weeks later. Packed away for the rest of the season, she returned with another roping 7 3/4-length score in the Mar. 24 East View S. at Aqueduct.

The horse was named for trainer Jeremiah Englehart's assistant Melanie Giddings, who was diagnosed in 2020 with endocervical and ovarian cancer.

“[Owner] Bill [Parcells] named the horse for me…we had built up a friendship,” explained the Canadian native. “He is at the barn every day [in Saratoga during the summer]. He loves the sport. It's nice for him to get this win. He might have been a little nervous today because I did not hear from him. I think everyone can kind of feel a little relief. She is a New York-bred and the other filly [Key of Life] won in Lexington. This is a nice horse. This makes me feel proud because I think so highly of her.”

Pedigree Notes:
With Friday's Miss Preakness victory, Maple Leaf Mel becomes the fourth graded winner for her sire, Cross Traffic, who stands at Spendthrift Farm. Her dam City Gift, winner of a pair of claiming sprints during her abbreviated racing career, previously produced SP Eddie's Gift (El Corredor) and most recently dropped a colt by Brody's Cause in 2021.

All the emotion from team @jceracingstable, including assistant trainer @melgidd1 (the filly's namesake), as MAPLE LEAF MEL (Cross Traffic) sweeps the GIII Miss Preakness Stakes at @PimlicoRC! The filly, now a perfect 4-for-4, is owned by Bill Parcells' August Dawn Farm. pic.twitter.com/vKfJbBzDdS

— TDN (@theTDN) May 19, 2023

Friday, Pimlico
MISS PREAKNESS S. PRESENTED BY CASE TRACTOR-GIII, $150,000, Pimlico, 5-19, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:09.56, ft.
1–MAPLE LEAF MEL, 122, f, 3, by Cross Traffic
1st Dam: City Gift, by City Place
2nd Dam: For My Wife, by Not For Love
3rd Dam: Heavens to Betsy, by Miswaki
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($18,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP; $150,000 2yo '22 EASMAY). O-August Dawn Farm; B-Joe Fafone (NY); T-Jeremiah C. Englehart; J-Joel Rosario. $90,000. Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0, $303,400. *1/2 to Eddie's Gift (El Corredor), SP, $167,950. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Topsy, 118, f, 3, Bee Jersey–Secretariat Humor, by Distorted Humor. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($42,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP; $225,000 2yo '22 OBSMAR). O-L. William Heiligbrodt, Corinne Heiligbrodt and Jackpot Farm; B-Charles Fipke (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $30,000.
3–L Street Lady, 120, f, 3, Munnings–Lady Gayle, by Scat Daddy. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($125,000 Ylg '21 FTKJUL). O-Madaket Stables LLC; B-T & G Farm of Kentucky, LLC (Benson Farm) (KY); T-Brittany T. Russell. $15,000.
Margins: 1HF, 3HF, 1 3/4. Odds: 1.70, 11.20, 48.40.
Also Ran: Afternoon Tea, Key of Life, Bound by Destiny. Scratched: Happy Clouds.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs.
VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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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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1/ST EXPERIENCE and Baltimore's own Kevin Liles, CEO and Chairman of 300 Entertainment and Elektra Music Group, have teamed up to launch Preakness LIVE Culinary, Art & Music Festival as part of an expanded Preakness entertainment and cultural celebration set to take place on Black-Eyed Susan Day, Friday, May 20. The festival is a part of 1/ST's new long-term campaign, Baltimore 1/ST, kicking off this year.

In consultation with Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and in collaboration with Liles, Preakness LIVE will be the first event to take place as part of Baltimore 1/ST, a holistic new campaign that heralds the Preakness's lifelong home Baltimore and represents a commitment from 1/ST, owner and operator of the Preakness, to support and build on the optimism and enthusiasm for the future of the city.

“I am incredibly excited about this new collaboration being led by a true son of Baltimore. This will not only improve the Preakness experience, but also support and elevate Baltimore culture through art, sports, fashion, and food year-round,” said Scott. “I look forward to the profound impact this new focus on Baltimore art and culture will have on our city's next generation of creative minds. I want to thank Kevin Liles, 300 Entertainment and Elektra Music Group, and 1/ST EXPERIENCE for their investment in our city and itss unique cultural fabric.”

Taking place in the iconic Pimlico infield, Preakness LIVE will feature performances by Grammy Award winners Ms. Lauryn Hill and Megan Thee Stallion, NAACP Image Award winner D-Nice and Baltimore-bred talent, including rising singer Brittney Spencer, Darin Atwater & The Soulful Symphony, plus a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by WanMor and more. Local talent will also perform on the Charm City Stage throughout the evening. Preakness LIVE is produced in collaboration with Karlitz & Company.

“Baltimore is more than a city, just as the Preakness is more than a race,” said Liles. “What we're building with Preakness LIVE is a movement, not a moment. As a native son of this great city and a life-long fan of the Preakness, I'm so proud to help bring an event of this scale and scope home, creating a cultural milestone both for residents and visitors rediscovering Baltimore's charms.”

Celebrity chefs Tom Colicchio, Marcus Samuelsson, Gail Simmons, and beloved Baltimore chefs Saon Brice of BLK Swan, and Mario Moise of Bar ONE will perform culinary showcases on the main stage. Chefs Colicchio, Samuelsson and Simmons will collaborate to develop unique offerings for guests in the Finish Line Suites, Turfside Terrace and the Home Stretch Pavilions. Preakness LIVE will also debut Restaurant Row made up of a diverse group of local eateries featuring regional culinary delights serving fans on both Black-Eyed Susan Day and Preakness Day.

Baltimore's vibrant art scene will be given a showcase in the Pimlico infield during Preakness weekend with unique installations throughout the art garden, curated by acclaimed Baltimore multidisciplinary artist and founder of “The Last Resort Artist Retreat” Derrick Adams. The art garden will display works from a multitude of local artists as well as entrants of the Preakness 147 Art of Racing campaign, among other exciting activations.

To further connect the Preakness weekend celebrations to Park Heights, Park Heights Renaissance will sponsor and lead the first annual George “Spider” Anderson Preakness Music and Arts Festival in recognition of the first African American jockey to win the Preakness Stakes in 1889. The day-long festival on May 21 will feature live music, arts & crafts, the days' races live streamed, top food trucks and will highlight community businesses and partners.

Tickets for Preakness LIVE range from $49-$175. These and other Preakness weekend tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.preakness.com/tickets. As part of the ongoing partnership between 1/ST and Park Heights Renaissance, tickets for Preakness LIVE and for InfieldFest will be distributed to the Parks Heights community through Park Heights Renaissance.

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The Black-Eyed Susan, highlight of a 14-race card that kicked off Preakness weekend, was renamed to honor the legacy of George E. Mitchell, a community organizer in the Park Heights neighborhood surrounding Pimlico. Mitchell, who died in July 2020, was instrumental in efforts to keep the Preakness at the Baltimore, Md., track.

Ridden by Joel Rosario, Army Wife finished 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Willful Woman, with Lady Traveler another 1 1/4 lengths back in third. It was 10 lengths back to the fourth-place finisher, Forever Boss, who was followed across the line by Miss Leslie, The Grass Is Blue, 2-1 favorite Beautiful Gift, 3-1 second choice Adventuring, Iced Latte and Spritz.

Army Wife paid $11 and earned $150,000 from the winner's share of the $250,000 purse. She covered 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:49.63.

Breaking from the inside post position, Rosario kept Army Wife close to the rail in sixth position early as Lady Traveler raced off to the lead while being pursued by the two horses with the outside post positions in the field of 10 3-year-old fillies, Adventuring and Beautiful Gift. Fractions were :23.71 for the opening quarter mile and :46.71 for the half.

Approaching the far turn, with the first six furlongs clocked in 1:10.92, Rosario asked Army Wife to close the gap on the leader, but then had to take ahold of the filly while lacking room around the turn.

Adventuring and Beautiful Gift gave up the chase at the top of the stretch, and Rosario swung Army Wife off the rail, drawing alongside Lady Traveler. After a mile split of 1:36.79, Army Wife drew off to win going away.

The victory was the first in a stakes for Army Wife, a $190,000 purchase at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s spring sale of 2-year-olds in training in 2020. Bred in Kentucky by J.D. Stuart and AR Enterprises, Inc., the filly out of  the Arch mare, Tread, races for the Three Diamonds Farm of Kirk and Debra Wycoff.

Army Wife needed four starts to break her maiden, winning for the first time at Churchill Downs last Oct. 25 in a seven-furlong maiden race. After a second-place finish versus allowance company at Churchill the following month, Army Wife was given a break, returning three and a half months later to win a one-turn mile allowance contest at Gulfsteam Park on March 13. She finished third behind Search Results in her stakes debut in the Grade 3 Gazelle at Aqueduct on April 3 in her most recent start.

“She's been a hard-luck horse her whole career,” Maker said. “She's been a filly I've been excited about since she was 2.”

The victory improved Army Wife's record to three wins, one second and two thirds from eight starts.

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Other graded events on Preakness Day, May 15, are the $250,000 Dinner Party (G2) and $150,000 Gallorette (G3) on turf and the $200,000 Chick Lang (G3), $150,000 Maryland Sprint (G3) and $100,000 UAE President Cup (G1) for Arabian horses on the main track.

Preakness eve, May 14, will be highlighted by the 97th running of the $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan (G2) for 3-year-old fillies. Among the supporting graded stakes are the historic $250,000 Pimlico Special (G3) and $150,000 Miss Preakness on dirt and $150,000 Allaire du Pont (G3) on turf.

The Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Championship (MATCH) Series returns following a one-year hiatus amid the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 with four races Preakness weekend – the Pimlico Special and Allaire du Pont May 14 and the Maryland Sprint and $100,000 Runhappy Skipat May 15.

Entries will be taken and post positions drawn Sunday, May 9 for the Black-Eyed Susan Day program and Monday, May 10 for Preakness Day.

For the fifth straight year, the Maryland Jockey Club is offering bonus money totaling $100,000 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 having a starter (one) in the Skipat, Miss Preakness, Allaire du Pont, Black-Eyed Susan, Pimlico Special, Hilltop, Jim McKay Turf Sprint, Maryland Sprint, Chick Lang, Preakness, Gallorette, James W. Murphy, Dinner Party, The Very One and Sir Barton.

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.

Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen was the leading Preakness weekend stakes trainer in 2018 and 2019, followed by Brad Cox in 2019 and Mike Maker in 2020.

Races & Post Times for Black-Eyed Susan, Preakness
The Maryland Jockey Club will feature 14-race programs on Black-Eyed Susan Day and Preakness Day.

On Friday, May 15, first race post will be 11:30 a.m. ET with the Black-Eyed Susan scheduled to go off at approximately 5:44 p.m. On Saturday, May 16, the live program begins at 10:30 a.m. with the Preakness scheduled to go off at approximately 6:47 p.m.

There will be a Black-Eyed Susan-Preakness daily double offered Friday. The Preakness will be the 13^th race Saturday, followed by the UAE President Cup (G1) for Arabians at 7:33 p.m.

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Maker led the way with 43 points, three more than Cox and Asmussen, to earn a $50,000 bonus. Maker registered wins with 2-year-old colt Catman (Kitten’s Joy) in the Laurel Futurity S. and 3-year-old filly Evil Lyn (Wicked Strong) in the S. He also ran second and third with Somelikeithotbrown (Big Brown) and Hembree (Proud Citizen) in the GII Dinner Party S., and third in the GIII Chick Lang S. with Relentless Dancer (Midshipman).

Cox and Asmussen tied for second with 40 points apiece, each taking home $18,500, Graham Motion came in fourth with 37 points, earning a $7,000 bonus, and Claudio Gonzalez rounded out the top five with 29 points, good for a $4,000 bonus.

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The 50th running of the Pimlico Special for 3-year-olds and up, back to its original distance of 1 3/16 miles after being contested at 1 1/4 miles for the first time last year, is the headliner on a 10-race program that also serves as a preview for the Claiming Crown, offering winners an automatic berth to the main event Dec. 5 at Gulfstream Park.

Friday also marks the midpoint of a spectacular three-day Preakness weekend lineup that boasts 16 stakes, nine graded, worth $3.35 million in purses featuring the 145th Preakness (G1) Saturday, Oct. 3. First race post time Friday is 12:40 p.m.

A 5-year-old homebred son of two-time Horse of the Year and Hall of Famer Curlin out of the Tapit mare Temptress, Tenfold can become only the second two-time winner of the Pimlico Special following the Hall of Famer Challedon, who captured back-to-back editions in 1939 and 1940.

“The race goes back decades. It's one of the most renowned races in Maryland and it was a big deal to win it last year,” Winchell racing manager David Fiske said. “We're feeling pretty good. For one reason or another, he seems to put out some of his best efforts at Pimlico.”

Tenfold came from far back to split horses in the stretch and get up by a neck in last year's Pimlico Special over favored You're To Blame, with Cordmaker another neck back in third. Tenfold was on the other side of that decision in his only other trip to Baltimore when he was third, beaten a half-length and a neck respectively by Justify and Bravazo in the fog-shrouded 2018 Preakness.

“The Preakness in the fog was one of the most exciting races I've ever witnessed,” Fiske said. “The fog added another layer of suspense, and to be that close to a Triple Crown winner. I don't think he was beaten more than a length.”

Tenfold found himself trailing all but one horse in his most recent effort, the 1 1/8-mile Charles Town Classic (G2) Aug. 28, before rallying late to be fourth and just missing third by a neck to Runnin'toluvya.

“He doesn't tend to be all that forwardly placed anymore. His first couple races he went almost wire to wire, but at Charles Town he was just too far back and you had to be pretty close to the lead,” Fiske said. “It seemed to be favoring speedier horses that night. But, you pay your money and you take your chances.”

Tenfold has won four races and more than $1.1 million in purse earnings from 19 starts, his other graded victory coming in the 2018 Jim Dandy (G2). In addition to the Preakness, he ran third in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) in June and the New Orleans Classic (G2) in March.

“He worked well the other day and he's been training well. He's a big, pretty horse that's sound and always seems to be knocking on the door,” Fiske said. “He always shows up. He always kind of teases us a little bit. He'll train well or he'll run a really nice race and then he doesn't back that up. But, he keeps trying. We've had some interest of late from stallion farms since he's a Curlin and out of Tapit mare and he's a big, pretty thing that is sound and durable.”

Joe Bravo is named to ride Tenfold from Post 5 in a field of nine.

Another multiple graded-stakes winning millionaire that ran third in the Preakness and returning for the Pimlico Special is Rupp Racing's Owendale. The 4-year-old Into Mischief colt was beaten a nose for second behind War of Will last spring, but has won three stakes since – the Ohio (G3) and Oklahoma (G3) derbies last year and the one-mile Blame May 23. He exits a runner-up finish in the 1 1/16-mile Alysheba (G2) Sept. 4 and will have Hall of Famer John Velazquez aboard from Post 8.

Hillwood Stable's Cordmaker could be rounding into form just in time for another try at the Pimlico Special. Based at Laurel Park with trainer Rodney Jenkins and bred in Maryland by trainer Katy Voss and the late Bob Manfuso, the 5-year-old Curlin gelding had his season opener delayed until July 5 and ran fifth in his first three starts, all allowances, the latter two at seven furlongs. Last out, he was a willing third to Harpers First Ride in the 1 1/16-mile Deputed Testamony Sept. 5 at Laurel. Victor Carrasco returns to ride from Post 1.

MCA Racing Stable's Harper's First Ride will be making his second foray into graded competition in the Pimlico Special, having had a two-race win streak snapped when he was fifth in the 1 1/8-mile Monmouth Cup (G3) July 18. Since then he closed to be second in an open allowance in the Parx mud Aug. 12 and was a popular 3 ¼-length winner of the Deputed Testamony, his seventh career win and first in a stakes.

“He came out of the last race good and he's doing good. I was impressed with his last race. He beat a really nice horse in Cordmaker. He's run with good horses before, too, and it hasn't been easy for him but he does good,” trainer Claudio Gonzalez said. “All the time this horse shows me he can improve little by little and can get better and better. I believe he can run longer than the mile. It all depends if he has a good trip. He likes to run one way. He has one pace, that's why it's very important the trip we have with him. It doesn't matter where you put him, if he's in the clear he's going to make it.”

Angel Cruz, up for each of Harpers First Ride's last two wins, gets the return call from outside Post 9.

Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stables and Gary Aisquith's Monongahela, a Grade 3 winner of more than $500,000 in purses, is entered to make his second start since joining Laurel trainer Brittany Russell. Winless in five tries since taking the 1 1/16-mile Swatara for Pennsylvania-breds last fall, the 6-year-old gelding ran last of four in a one-mile optional claiming allowance Aug. 20 at Delaware Park.

“He's awesome. When we ran at Delaware I thought, 'Let's just run him because it might be a softer spot and a spot to pick his head up,'” Russell said. “I probably didn't train on him enough and long enough to really know what we had. Then he kind of ran a clunker so we kind of scratched our heads afterward. I tweaked his training routine a bit after that and he seems like he's responding. He's doing really well so I figured we'd go in and take a look.”

Russell's husband, jockey Sheldon Russell, was still recovering from a broken wrist when Monongahela last ran, but will be in the irons from Post 2. The trainer hoping their familiarity from the mornings will prove advantageous.

“There was a getting to know him period and I think we did that. He's certainly classy and he just kind of does what he has to do in the morning,” Brittany Russell said. “Then it was sort of letting the rider get to know him, which is where Sheldon comes in, so I'm hoping he might be the magic formula. He's worked him quite a few times and has kind of got him figured out. I don't know if that can translate to the afternoon, but I feel better if Sheldon's on him so at least we can get a line on where we are.”

Main Line Racing Stable and Alexandria Stable's Someday Jones is a 7-year-old son of 2004 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness winner Smarty Jones with 11 career wins, three in stakes, including the 1 1/8-mile Native Dancer last December at Laurel. Beaten twice Laurel stakes over the winter before the coronavirus break, Someday Jones won his July 6 return at Delaware and was second in the 1 1/16-mile Storm Cat Sept. 7 at Parx.

“His first race back at Delaware was good. He was probably about 75 percent and he won, and I think he's gone forward since then,” trainer John Servis said. “The last race just didn't set up for him. The winner just got loose on the lead and really controlled the pace, and he made a nice run at him through the stretch and just couldn't make up any ground on him. He's coming into this race really good.”

Servis, who also trained Smarty Jones, lined up Trevor McCarthy to ride Someday Jones, a winner of nearly $650,000 in lifetime purses that has been third or better in 20 of 29 starts. They will break from Post 4.

“He is a war horse. I had one of the owners send me his Thoro-Graph sheet for the last three, four years and he has just been the model of consistency. It's unbelievable how consistent his numbers are,” Servis said. “It'd be something to have a barn full like that. He's a special horse. And he's a barn favorite. Everybody loves him.”

Plus Que Parfait, winless since taking the UAE Derby (G2) last March but most recently second in the Charles Town Derby, and multiple stakes winners Clubman, seventh in last year's Pimlico Special, and Forewarned, seventh at Charles Town, complete the field.

The Pimlico Special was created in 1937 by Alfred Vanderbilt, the master of Sagamore Farm, as the first major stakes in the United States set up as an invitational, and was won by Triple Crown champion War Admiral. The following year, he was upset by Seabiscuit in what Sports Illustrated called the “Race of the Century.”

Revived in 1988 by the late Maryland Jockey Club president Frank De Francis, the Special's illustrious roster of winners includes Triple Crown winners Whirlaway, Citation and Assault and modern-day Horses of the Year Criminal Type, Cigar, Skip Away, Mineshaft and Invasor.

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Wild About Star, a 6-year-old daughter of multiple stakes winner Star Guitar, sprung a mild upset in last year's The Very One by 1 3/4 lengths over Jo Jo Air, who is the only other returnee from 2019. Five of her six career wins have come on the grass but she has not raced on the surface since last summer after her two starts this year were rained off.

Fifth in the Incredible Revenge Stakes at Monmouth Park following her Pimlico score, Wild About Star didn't return until running fifth to The Very One foe Mr. Al's Gal in an optional claiming allowance July 23 at Delaware Park. Most recently she tired to third after chasing the pace in a similar spot Aug. 20, also at Delaware.

“After the last race she ran at Monmouth, the owner and I decided to give her time off and see how she's doing and we decided to bring her back,” trainer Jose Camejo said. “She ran two races on the dirt because they came off the turf and now she's doing really good. We'll see if we can get lucky a second time and win again.

“I feel good about her. She's much better than she was before,” he added. “She's in the right shape right now, she looks really good and she's doing very well. I think we've got a good chance.”

Alex Cintron rides Wild About Star, the 124-pound co-topweight, from Post 5 in a field of 16 that includes main-track-only entrant Never Enough Time and also-eligible Philipine Cobra.

Among the challengers to Wild About Star will be Lael Stables' Chalon, a seven-time stakes winner less than $9,000 away from $1 million in career earnings who is entered to make her turf debut. The 6-year-old Dialed In mare has raced once previously at Pimlico taking last year's Skipat, contested at six furlongs on the main track.

Chalon opened her season finishing off the board in the 6  1/2-furlong Vagrancy (G3) June 27 at Belmont Park, her first start in nearly nine months. She followed up by registering back-to-back wins in the Dashing Beauty at Monmouth and Incredible Revenge Aug. 16 at Monmouth, a race that was originally carded for the turf.

In her last start, Chalon stumbled out of the gate and chased the pace before getting up to be second behind Never Enough Time in the six-furlong Alma North Sept. 7 at Laurel Park. She drew Post 14 with Trevor McCarthy up.

Chalon's stablemate, Edward Seltzer and Beverly Anderson's Ode to Joy, is also entered with Sheldon Russell named to ride from Post 7. Ode to Joy, a 5-year-old daughter of Grade 1 turf winner Artie Schiller, was fourth to Chalon in the Incredible Revenge and has never won a stakes, also finishing fourth in the Feb. 22 Lightning City.

Wesley Ward-trained Jo Jo Air has won twice in five starts since coming up short in last year's The Very One, an optional claiming allowance last December at Gulfstream Park and the five-furlong Daisycutter Handicap July 24 on the Del Mar turf, her most recent race. Paco Lopez has the call from Post 8.

LC Racing's Captain Sam has respectively finished fourth and fifth in two stakes attempts, the 2018 and 2019 Power by Far at Parx, both times rained off the turf to the main track. The 5-year-old mare comes in off a 2 ¼-length optional claiming allowance win as the favorite sprinting five furlongs at Penn National, her first win in four tries on grass.

“She goes either way. If it rains off she loves the slop, too,” trainer Robert E. 'Butch' Reid Jr. said. “The main thing with her is the distance. She can't really get much past five-eighths so you have to run in those races when you have the opportunity. She's had two or three breezes that have been real nice so we'll go ahead and take a shot.”

Sophomores Foolish Humor, Giggling and Hear My Prayer and older horses A Great Time, Dendrobia, Tracy Ann's Legacy, Peaceful and Not In Jeopardy round out the field.

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