Student Council wins the 2008 Pimlico Special
Student Council wins the 2008 Pimlico Special
May 15, 2008
The Friday before the Preakness featured five stakes races, three of which were graded events. Due to overnight rain which continued to midday, the track was muddy and turf races were moved to the main track.
After skipping a year, the $250,000 Maryland Lottery Pimlico Special (G1) returned to the stakes schedule. A compact field of 7 older horses contested this 1 3/16 mile feature over the muddy, sealed main track before just 18,407 fans at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.
Westchester Handicap runner-up Grasshopper was the 2-1 favorite over 5-2 Gottcha Gold, winner of the Skip Away Handicap, and 4-1 third choice Sir Whimsey, third in the Ben Ali last out.
Gottcha Gold set the pace of 23.87, 47.46, and 1:11.39 while as many as 1 1/2 lengths clear of Xchanger who stalked the pace in second. Entering the stretch, jockey C.C. Lopez asked Gottcha Gold to open up and he did, pulling away to a 2 1/2 length advantage at the 1/8 pole after a mile in 1:36.17. However, Student Council, who sat near the back of the field early on, came out 5 wide into the lane, circling the field and wearing down pacesetter Gottcha Gold inside the 70 yard pole to prevail by a neck in 1:54.87. It was a long 5 3/4 lengths back to Sir Whimsey in third. Favorite Grasshopper was wide throughout, settling in 4th down the backstretch, but showed no rally in the stretch to finish fifth.
Results chart
Student Council in the winner's circle
Winning jockey Shaun Bridgmohan said, "There looked like there'd be a lot of speed in there. He's such a great horse and he's got such a great stride to him that midway down the backside he grabbed a hold of me and wanted to go. At that point, I had nowhere for him to go. I had to sit there and wait and bide my time and wait a little bit longer. I've been watching races all day. I didn't want to take him out of his game."
Owner Ro Parra added, "We took him to Japan (for the Japan Cup Dirt) and in hindsight, I wish we hadn't.
When he came back he was tired. We were disappointed in the Santa Anita Handicap. We thought we were going to win the race. Steve (Asmussen, trainer) had him ready for this race. I spoke to him just an hour before the race, and he told me to smile in the winner's circle."
Second place finisher Gottcha Gold
Jockey Chuck Lopez said, "The horse ran his race I think. I was able to slow him down and give him the opportunity. I mean, the winner just came and got him."
Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. added, "I was hoping he would be able to get there, but by the time we got near the wire, it was too late. I was very satisfied with his race and Chuckie did a great job again."
Third place finisher Sir Whimsey
Jockey Edgar Prado said, "He wasn't handling the track too well. He had a little trouble in the first part. He was trying, but in the second turn, two horses stopped in front of me, so I had to go around them. I think he could have been a lot closer, but we lost ground and momentum."
Trainer James Toner added, "He ran well. He tried hard and did everything right, but Edgar said he wasn't comfortable with the track.
He tries hard, this horse. He gives you everything he's got."
Sweet Vendetta wins the 2008 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
May 15, 2008
The $200,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) featured a field of 8 three-year-old fillies going 1 1/8 miles. Kentucky Oaks 5th-place finisher Bsharpsonata was the 5-2 favorite over Bay Meadows Oaks winner Seattle Smooth at 3-1 and Calder Oaks fourth place finisher Shes All Eltish at 7-2.
Sherine was loose on the lead through fractions of 23.65, 47.62, and 1:12.17 with entrymate Pious Ashley in second.
Entering the stretch, both tired and dropped from contention. Shes All Eltish, who settled in 5th early out wide the whole way, took over the lead at the 3/16 pole and quickly opened up a 2 1/2 length advantage on Sweet Vendetta, who had raced back in 6th down the backstretch. However, when asked by jockey Channing Hill, Sweet Vendetta powered by Shes All Eltish at the 1/16 pole and drew off to a 1 1/2 length win in 1:49.60 over the muddy, sealed main track. It was just 3/4 length back to late-running Seattle Smooth third, while favorite Bsharpsonata raced within 4 lengths of the pace around the clubhouse turn and down the backstretch, but tired badly late to finish last beaten 23 lengths.
Results chart
Sweet Vendetta gets her flowers
Winning owner and breeder David Cassidy said, "This is probably the best filly the mare (Sand Pirate) has had. Unfortunately I sold the mare, but I do own a half sister. With Sweet Vendetta I always believed she'd be a good three-year-old. And honestly, as a breeder, this is one of my greatest thrills."
Jockey Channing Hill said, "What a tremendous filly. She broke great. The race unfolded exactly the way I figured it was going to.
I figured I was going to be a little more off the pace than I was in her previous race. I think she's enough filly to handle anything. It ranks up there. I was fortunate enough to win the Barbara Fritchie this year. This is equal to that."
Trainer Gary Contessa added, "I loved the 1 1/8 miles for her. She was training up a storm. I know she's a natural at this distance. She's almost 17 hands and has that big loping stride. I thought this was a good fit here. When the heavens opened up last night that added more icing to the cake. We know she loves the mud, as well. This is what we'd envisioned. This race, and maybe on to the Alabama."
The stretch run of the Black-Eyed Susan
Jockey Garrett Gomez aboard second place finisher Shes All Eltish said, "My horse was running fine, but when we came around the turn, she saw the starting gate and turned in away from it. I lost her attention span for a little ways, but at the 1/8 pole she went ahead and started running again for me. She lost focus on what she was doing and I'm pretty sure she would have kicked on and run a little harder for me.
Once she lost focus, it took me a little while to get her back in stride."
Trainer Martin Wolfson added, "Garrett rode her perfectly. She's done this to me three or four times where she opens up and kind of loses focus. She opened up at Gulfstream and then lost by a head. It doesn't take much of anything to distract her."
Jockey Edgar Prado aboard third place finisher Seattle Smooth said, "My horse didn't break sharp, so I bided my time and when I turned her loose, she really came running at the end."
Trainer Jurado Obdulio added, "We really liked this filly. Today she was just too far behind. We were hoping to be 4 or 5 lengths behind down the backstretch. But that wasn't the case. The winning filly moved faster in the stretch and we couldn't catch her."
Palanka City wins the 2008 Miss Preakness Stakes
The $100,000 Adena Stallions Miss Preakness Stakes (G3) featured 3-year-old fillies sprinting 6 furlongs. 1-2 favorite Palanka City did not disappoint, stalking the pace set by Casanova Killer of 22.93 and 46.16 over the muddy track, then taking over the lead inside the 3/16 pole and powering away late to win by 5 1/2 lengths in 1:10.90. It was another 4 3/4 lengths back to Beau's Valentine in third.
Winning jockey Chris Emigh said, "She was a little nervous in the paddock. Our horse broke great and was very relaxed. Into the far turn, (Casanova Killer) squirted away. My horse responded well. I hit her once, and she let loose another gear around the turn and finished up strong."
Trainer Terry Gestes added, "I figured she'd be bet down. I was just hoping she would handle the track. She was a little nervous today. I don't know if it was the rain of the weather. Turning for home, I said, ‘Uh-oh. I hope she re-breaks.' And she did when he hit her."
Results chart
The $75,000 Woodlawn Stakes was originally scheduled for 1 mile on the turf but was switched to 1 1/16 miles on the muddy main track. 9-2 fourth choice Termsofengagement raced at the back of the field for the first 3/4 mile, well off the pace set by M J's Enchanteur of 22.94, 46.21, and 1:11.54. Through the stretch, Termsofengagement closed with a rush to pass the tiring pacesetter inside the final furlong to win going away by 2 lengths in 1:45.64.
It was another 2 1/2 lengths back to favorite Malibu Kid in third.
Winning jockey Rosie Napravnik said, "This horse likes to relax early and run for the money at the end when it counts. Nancy has done a great job with him. Thanks to that, I was able to ride with confidence."
Trainer Nancy Alberts added, "The owners sent him here from Charles Town, because they said, ‘We think he's a better horse.' We wanted it moved off the turf. We didn't want to run on soft turf. We thought we'd have a better chance on dirt. He certainly showed he likes mud. This horse has just blossomed."
Results chart
The $75,000 The Very One Stakes for older fillies and mares was originally scheduled as a 5 furlong turf sprint but was moved to the main track. 5-2 second choice All Giving saved ground in third just off the pace, then when asked by jockey Erick Rodriguez, ran right by Cat On A Cloud at the 3/16 pole and drew away in the lane to win by 5 lengths in 57.46 seconds. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to favorite Smart and Fancy third.
Winning jockey Erick Rodriguez said, "I was waiting behind horses to see what would open up. The horse in front of me came out. That opened up the rail. I had a lot of horse left. She was real good."
Trainer Flint Stites added, "She just loves an off track, that's for sure. Now, all I have to do is decide whether to keep her on dirt or go back to the turf. But there is no doubt she's a sprinter."
Results chart
May 15, 2008
The Friday before the Preakness featured five stakes races, three of which were graded events. Due to overnight rain which continued to midday, the track was muddy and turf races were moved to the main track.
After skipping a year, the $250,000 Maryland Lottery Pimlico Special (G1) returned to the stakes schedule. A compact field of 7 older horses contested this 1 3/16 mile feature over the muddy, sealed main track before just 18,407 fans at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.
Westchester Handicap runner-up Grasshopper was the 2-1 favorite over 5-2 Gottcha Gold, winner of the Skip Away Handicap, and 4-1 third choice Sir Whimsey, third in the Ben Ali last out.
Gottcha Gold set the pace of 23.87, 47.46, and 1:11.39 while as many as 1 1/2 lengths clear of Xchanger who stalked the pace in second. Entering the stretch, jockey C.C. Lopez asked Gottcha Gold to open up and he did, pulling away to a 2 1/2 length advantage at the 1/8 pole after a mile in 1:36.17. However, Student Council, who sat near the back of the field early on, came out 5 wide into the lane, circling the field and wearing down pacesetter Gottcha Gold inside the 70 yard pole to prevail by a neck in 1:54.87. It was a long 5 3/4 lengths back to Sir Whimsey in third. Favorite Grasshopper was wide throughout, settling in 4th down the backstretch, but showed no rally in the stretch to finish fifth.
Results chart
Student Council in the winner's circle
Winning jockey Shaun Bridgmohan said, "There looked like there'd be a lot of speed in there. He's such a great horse and he's got such a great stride to him that midway down the backside he grabbed a hold of me and wanted to go. At that point, I had nowhere for him to go. I had to sit there and wait and bide my time and wait a little bit longer. I've been watching races all day. I didn't want to take him out of his game."
Owner Ro Parra added, "We took him to Japan (for the Japan Cup Dirt) and in hindsight, I wish we hadn't.
When he came back he was tired. We were disappointed in the Santa Anita Handicap. We thought we were going to win the race. Steve (Asmussen, trainer) had him ready for this race. I spoke to him just an hour before the race, and he told me to smile in the winner's circle."
Second place finisher Gottcha Gold
Jockey Chuck Lopez said, "The horse ran his race I think. I was able to slow him down and give him the opportunity. I mean, the winner just came and got him."
Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. added, "I was hoping he would be able to get there, but by the time we got near the wire, it was too late. I was very satisfied with his race and Chuckie did a great job again."
Third place finisher Sir Whimsey
Jockey Edgar Prado said, "He wasn't handling the track too well. He had a little trouble in the first part. He was trying, but in the second turn, two horses stopped in front of me, so I had to go around them. I think he could have been a lot closer, but we lost ground and momentum."
Trainer James Toner added, "He ran well. He tried hard and did everything right, but Edgar said he wasn't comfortable with the track.
He tries hard, this horse. He gives you everything he's got."
Sweet Vendetta wins the 2008 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
May 15, 2008
The $200,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) featured a field of 8 three-year-old fillies going 1 1/8 miles. Kentucky Oaks 5th-place finisher Bsharpsonata was the 5-2 favorite over Bay Meadows Oaks winner Seattle Smooth at 3-1 and Calder Oaks fourth place finisher Shes All Eltish at 7-2.
Sherine was loose on the lead through fractions of 23.65, 47.62, and 1:12.17 with entrymate Pious Ashley in second.
Entering the stretch, both tired and dropped from contention. Shes All Eltish, who settled in 5th early out wide the whole way, took over the lead at the 3/16 pole and quickly opened up a 2 1/2 length advantage on Sweet Vendetta, who had raced back in 6th down the backstretch. However, when asked by jockey Channing Hill, Sweet Vendetta powered by Shes All Eltish at the 1/16 pole and drew off to a 1 1/2 length win in 1:49.60 over the muddy, sealed main track. It was just 3/4 length back to late-running Seattle Smooth third, while favorite Bsharpsonata raced within 4 lengths of the pace around the clubhouse turn and down the backstretch, but tired badly late to finish last beaten 23 lengths.
Results chart
Sweet Vendetta gets her flowers
Winning owner and breeder David Cassidy said, "This is probably the best filly the mare (Sand Pirate) has had. Unfortunately I sold the mare, but I do own a half sister. With Sweet Vendetta I always believed she'd be a good three-year-old. And honestly, as a breeder, this is one of my greatest thrills."
Jockey Channing Hill said, "What a tremendous filly. She broke great. The race unfolded exactly the way I figured it was going to.
I figured I was going to be a little more off the pace than I was in her previous race. I think she's enough filly to handle anything. It ranks up there. I was fortunate enough to win the Barbara Fritchie this year. This is equal to that."
Trainer Gary Contessa added, "I loved the 1 1/8 miles for her. She was training up a storm. I know she's a natural at this distance. She's almost 17 hands and has that big loping stride. I thought this was a good fit here. When the heavens opened up last night that added more icing to the cake. We know she loves the mud, as well. This is what we'd envisioned. This race, and maybe on to the Alabama."
The stretch run of the Black-Eyed Susan
Jockey Garrett Gomez aboard second place finisher Shes All Eltish said, "My horse was running fine, but when we came around the turn, she saw the starting gate and turned in away from it. I lost her attention span for a little ways, but at the 1/8 pole she went ahead and started running again for me. She lost focus on what she was doing and I'm pretty sure she would have kicked on and run a little harder for me.
Once she lost focus, it took me a little while to get her back in stride."
Trainer Martin Wolfson added, "Garrett rode her perfectly. She's done this to me three or four times where she opens up and kind of loses focus. She opened up at Gulfstream and then lost by a head. It doesn't take much of anything to distract her."
Jockey Edgar Prado aboard third place finisher Seattle Smooth said, "My horse didn't break sharp, so I bided my time and when I turned her loose, she really came running at the end."
Trainer Jurado Obdulio added, "We really liked this filly. Today she was just too far behind. We were hoping to be 4 or 5 lengths behind down the backstretch. But that wasn't the case. The winning filly moved faster in the stretch and we couldn't catch her."
Palanka City wins the 2008 Miss Preakness Stakes
The $100,000 Adena Stallions Miss Preakness Stakes (G3) featured 3-year-old fillies sprinting 6 furlongs. 1-2 favorite Palanka City did not disappoint, stalking the pace set by Casanova Killer of 22.93 and 46.16 over the muddy track, then taking over the lead inside the 3/16 pole and powering away late to win by 5 1/2 lengths in 1:10.90. It was another 4 3/4 lengths back to Beau's Valentine in third.
Winning jockey Chris Emigh said, "She was a little nervous in the paddock. Our horse broke great and was very relaxed. Into the far turn, (Casanova Killer) squirted away. My horse responded well. I hit her once, and she let loose another gear around the turn and finished up strong."
Trainer Terry Gestes added, "I figured she'd be bet down. I was just hoping she would handle the track. She was a little nervous today. I don't know if it was the rain of the weather. Turning for home, I said, ‘Uh-oh. I hope she re-breaks.' And she did when he hit her."
Results chart
The $75,000 Woodlawn Stakes was originally scheduled for 1 mile on the turf but was switched to 1 1/16 miles on the muddy main track. 9-2 fourth choice Termsofengagement raced at the back of the field for the first 3/4 mile, well off the pace set by M J's Enchanteur of 22.94, 46.21, and 1:11.54. Through the stretch, Termsofengagement closed with a rush to pass the tiring pacesetter inside the final furlong to win going away by 2 lengths in 1:45.64.
It was another 2 1/2 lengths back to favorite Malibu Kid in third.
Winning jockey Rosie Napravnik said, "This horse likes to relax early and run for the money at the end when it counts. Nancy has done a great job with him. Thanks to that, I was able to ride with confidence."
Trainer Nancy Alberts added, "The owners sent him here from Charles Town, because they said, ‘We think he's a better horse.' We wanted it moved off the turf. We didn't want to run on soft turf. We thought we'd have a better chance on dirt. He certainly showed he likes mud. This horse has just blossomed."
Results chart
The $75,000 The Very One Stakes for older fillies and mares was originally scheduled as a 5 furlong turf sprint but was moved to the main track. 5-2 second choice All Giving saved ground in third just off the pace, then when asked by jockey Erick Rodriguez, ran right by Cat On A Cloud at the 3/16 pole and drew away in the lane to win by 5 lengths in 57.46 seconds. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to favorite Smart and Fancy third.
Winning jockey Erick Rodriguez said, "I was waiting behind horses to see what would open up. The horse in front of me came out. That opened up the rail. I had a lot of horse left. She was real good."
Trainer Flint Stites added, "She just loves an off track, that's for sure. Now, all I have to do is decide whether to keep her on dirt or go back to the turf. But there is no doubt she's a sprinter."
Results chart
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