Pimlico
Report 5/14
By Amanda Saunders (Photos By Emily Hufford)
As soon as we arrived at 6:30 Friday morning, we discovered the Pimlico Special favorite and California invader Southern Image being walked under the trees beside the Pimlico Stakes Barn. The Halo's Image colt looked fit and healthy, and ready for this afternoon's race. It wasn't long before we noticed a lack of photographers on the backside and decided to head to the track, figuring some of the Preakness Stakes starters were being given their pre-race gallops.
 Smarty Jones on Track, 5/14 |
 Smarty Jones After his Gallop, 5/14 |
Smarty Jones, winner of the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), was the first to appear for us, followed shortly by Sir Barton Stakes contender Preachinatthebar. After a brief interruption by a loose horse, the Bob Baffert trained Preachinatthebar was the first to come back down the homestretch, galloping well in hand. Smarty Jones followed soon after, going at a easy jog beside his lead pony. Lion Heart came onto the track next, taking his time before finally coming down the homestretch at a jog beside a lead pony, then headed into the paddock for schooling. Royal Assault also made an appearance, jogging easily over the Pimlico surface. Eddington went out for his jog long before the TurfAngels staff made it to the track, but we were able to catch him while he grazed.
 Lion Heart After His Bath, 5/14 |
 Eddington Grazes, 5/14 |
The Bob Baffert trained Senior Swinger was also among those who jogged this morning. Yearly Report busied herself by eating the chain on her stall door while waiting for her race this afternoon, the Black Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II).
Senor Swinger Walks, 5/14
Finally, to cap off the morning, trainer Nick Zito called a press conference
at 8:30 and the TurfAngels staff listened in as he officially announced
that his Preakness Stakes contender The Cliff's Edge was scratched from
tomorrow's Grade I event due to an abscess in his right front foot.
 Yearly Report Awaits Her Race, 5/14 |
|
