Pimlico Report: 5/12
by Emily Hufford

Smarty Jones Arrives, 5/12

Turf Angels.com reporters Emily Hufford and Amanda Saunders arrived at Pimlico Racecourse today to cover the Preakness Stakes and other stakes. We first saw the stakes barn, backed right up to the Press Parking Lot, and noticed two Nick Zito horses headed to the track. One was Birdstone and the other was El Prado Rob. As they were recieving their baths, one of the Preakness favorites, Imperialism, walked out onto the horse path under trainer/rider Kristin Mulhall. He galloped very easily and slowly around the track. The sun was still just rising, glowing bright red in the sky.

Imperialism Walks to the Track 5/12

Imperialism in His Stall 5/12

While Imperialism was on the track, Yearly Report, Bob Baffert's Black Eyed Susan Stakes filly, went out for her gallop. Assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes, who is accompanying the Baffert string while in Maryland, led her out and back. The first Pimlico Special (gr. I) horse took to the track for his morning workout as well: Southern Image. The tall dark bay horse shocked photographers Barbara Livingston and Patricia McQueen with his good looks, as well as Blood Horse writer Steve Haskin. Southern Image was a handful, galloping with a lip cord, and refusing to leave the track for several minutes after his work.

Southern Image on Track 5/12

Southern Image Rears 5/12

Sir Shackelton came onto the track at the same time, followed by Zito's Royal Assault. Pimlico Special starter Midway Road also put in a gallop. Finally The Cliff's Edge came onto the track, followed by a mob of reporters. The beautiful dark colt galloped around the Pimlico oval, then trainer Nick Zito helped to bathe and sponge him afterwards.

The Cliff's Edge Gallops 5/12	The Cliff's Edge 5/12
Royal Assault Bathes 5/12	Sir Shackelton 5/12

A little before noon, the first van arrived, carrying Borrego, Preachinatthebar, and Senor Swinger. Just one minute later the second van arrived, which held Rock Hard Ten. Both Preachinatthebar and Rock Hard Ten received baths before being put back in their new stalls.

Smarty Jones in the Famous Stall 40 5/12	Rock Hard Ten Arrives 5/12
Borrego Arrives, 5/12	Preachinatthebar 5/12

At the same time, Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Smarty Jones arrived in his own van, and quickly bedded down into Stall 40, the famous stall reserved for all Kentucky Derby winners. The colt appeared calm but curious, watching the huge throng outside of his stall, but not working up a sweat.

As this is being written, we are sitting in the grandstand watching Southern Image school. He is standing at the 1/16th pole, head up, tongue flopping about, with his ears pricked and his coat shining. If physical appearance means anything, this horse is a dead knockout.