ORB ‘FINE’ AFTER DULL TRY; ITSMYLUCKYDAY MAKES GRADE
BALTIMORE, 05-19-13– Back in the 1980’s and ‘90s when trainer D. Wayne Lukas was winning Triple Crown races with astonishing regularity, the catch-phrase “D. Wayne off the plane” followed him from track to track as he made his hit-and-run assaults on racetracks across America with a lineup of assistants that included Todd Pletcher, Mark Hennig, Kiaran McLaughlin and Dallas Stewart.
KENTUCKY DERBY WINNER ORB DISAPPOINTS AS ODDS-ON FAVORITE
BALTIMORE, 05-18-13– Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas made history at Pimlico Race Course on Saturday when he saddled Oxbow for a front-running upset victory in the 138th Preakness Stakes (G1). The 15-1 long shot gave his 77-year-old trainer his sixth Preakness victory, as well as his 14th triumph in a Triple Crown event.
BALTIMORE, 05-18-13– Calumet Farm’s Skyring, who captured the James W. Murphy at Pimlico on Preakness Day last year, returned Saturday to triumph in the $300,000 Longines Dixie Stakes (G2) at Old Hilltop.
One of two starters saddled by Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, Skyring set all of the pace and held off a late-charging Wilcox Inn by a half-length in the 1 1/8-mile turf stakes. The Lukas-trained Optimizer closed through traffic late to finish third.
BALTIMORE, 05-18-13---Michael Dubb’s Sage Valley pressed the pace before bursting away to a convincing score in the $150,000 Maryland Sprint Handicap (G3) at Pimlico Race Course.
Saddled by Rudy Rodriquez, the son of Discreet Cat left the gate as the narrow betting favorite at 2.30-1 in the six-furlong sprint on the main track. Hardened Wildcat, a very close second choice at 2.40-1, rallied to finish second, 2 ¼ lengths behind the winner. Laurie’s Rocket took third.
BALTIMORE, MD. 5-18-13– Hidden Brook & Dan Zucker’s Pianist took control soon after the start and played “catch me if you can” the rest of the way, as the Chad Brown-trained filly went the distance in the $150,000 Gallorette Handicap (G3) at Pimlico Race Course.
Ridden by Mike Smith, the daughter of More Than Ready pulled away to a 2 ¾- length triumph over Hard Not to Like. Appealing Cat finished third. The Brown-trained Samitar finished fourth as the even-money favorite.
BALTIMORE, 05-18-13---Gillian S. Campbell, Greenwood Lodge Farm, Inc., Dan Clark & Greg Skoda’s Summer Applause attended the pace, assumed the lead in mid-stretch and galloped to victory in the $150,000 Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes (G3) for fillies and mares at Pimlico Race Course.
BALTIMORE, 05-18-13– Kenneth L. & Sarah Ramsey’s Redwood Kitten glided to the front from his outside post and never looked back on his way to victory in the $100,000 James W. Murphy Stakes for 3-year-olds at Pimlico Race Course.
Joel Rosario handled the Ramsey home-bred for trainer Wesley Ward. At the finish, Redwood Kitten finished a length ahead of Shining Copper, who outfinished 2-1 post time favorite Notacatbutallama for second. Redwood Kitten, who completed the one mile distance over the firm turf in 1:35.17, paid $6.80 to win.
BALTIMORE, MD. 5-18-13---Zayat Stables LLC’s Zee Bros grabbed the lead several jumps out of the gate and went on to post a 2 ¼-length triumph in the $100,000 Chick Lang Stakes for three-year-olds at Pimlico Race Course.
Away alertly under Martin Garcia, Zee Bros covered the six-furlong distance in 1:10.72. Bobcat Jim, ridden by Robby Albarado, caught Brave Dave at the wire to finish second.
BALTIMORE, 05-18-13– Tim E. O’Donohue’s Debt Ceiling closed from off the pace to capture the $100,000 Rollicking Stakes for 2-year-olds Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.
Making his second career start following a debut triumph at Laurel on March 30, Debt Ceiling caught leader Silvertonguedtommy in deep stretch to prevail by 2 ½ lengths. The son of Discreet Cat ran five furlongs in 1:00.27 under jockey Eric Camacho.
BALTIMORE, 05-18-13---Kasey K Racing Stable & Brier Creek Farm LLC’s Hello Lover swept by the leaders and drew away to victory in the $40,000 Deputed Testamony Starter Handicap for registered Maryland-breds, the first of nine stakes on Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course.
