Preakness weekend is upon us, and today the fillies are on
center stage. First run at Pimlico in 1919 and called the Pimlico Oaks, it has
long been known as the second jewel of the filly Triple Crown.
It is a Grade 2 event, (since 1976), run at the distance of
1&1/8 with a purse of $500,000.
Walkingwithapurpose, is reportedly walking with a stone
bruise, and was an early scratch. Manuka Honey is also a scratch.
The Black-Eyed Susan
The morning line favorite and deservedly so, is Emollient, the
Mott–trained Empire Maker filly. Put a line through the very poor effort in the
Gulfstream Oaks, this filly rebounded nicely in the Grade 1 Ashland at
Keeneland on the poly. She has proven she can run on any surface, and has
overcome troubled trips. She gets Mike Smith as her pilot, once again, and she
has been working sharply since her last effort.
She looks very tough in here.
Maracuya, though less seasoned, looks like an up and comer.
She is just 2 for 2 and is stepping up to a Graded Stakes. Her breeding
suggests that the distance should suit her, and she is working the right way
heading into this. If she has the quality that it appears that she might have,
there is no better rider than John Velazquez, to make all the right moves with
her, and give her a chance to beat the favorite.
The Hilltop
The last race of the day, the get-out race, is the Hilltop
on the turf for 3 year old fillies.
Kitten’s Point is a nice filly who has a Grade 3 win under
her belt. Her Ashland
on the poly was a good effort despite getting beat 10 lengths. Love it that
Edgar Prado is aboard, he knows the Maryland
tracks better than most.
Summer of Fun could be ready for a big effort. Her 2 year
old season was a good one, with a close 3rd in the BCJuviTurf. She
has been freshened since March, with only 1 work showing. A little cause for
concern…But if all is well, she would be tough.
Emotional Kitten is versatile, with a good late kick and has
Rosario to
maneuver her thru the field.
Le Fascinator won from the 10 hole in Tampa . She has the services of Johnny V
Drawn widest of all, is Miss Lucky Sevens with Rosie. She is
sharp now and going back to perhaps her preferred surface.