Ladies’ Day at Pimlico

By Jude T. Feld

Twenty-five years ago, P.J. Cooksey arrived at Pimlico Race Course to become the first female jockey to ride in the Preakness (G1), Thoroughbred racing’s second jewel of the Triple Crown. Now 52 and living in Kentucky, Cooksey returns to Baltimore to break new ground again in the inaugural Lady Legends for the Cure Raceâ„¢, the first pari-mutuel race featuring retired champion female jockeys.

A partnership between Pimlico and Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the world’s largest breast cancer organization, the Lady Legends race is fourth on a 13-race card (post time 1:45 p.m. EST) anchored by the 86th running of the $175,000 Black-Eyed Susan (G2).

Also on Friday’s card is the second annual $50,000 Pimlico Jockey Challenge pitting eight of the nation’s top jockeys in four designated races competing for top prize of $14,000. Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux also returns to Pimlico to defend his Challenge crown.

Here’s who we like on the day:

1st Race) I’LLTHINKOFSUMTHIN is perfectly spotted by trainer Scott Lake, who is winning at an 88% clip. There is surprisingly little speed to compete with her early, she stands out on pace figures and can handle an off track if it comes up rainy.

2nd Race) MAY ONE has a solid closing kick and finds a field with a ton of early speed types to help set the table. Switching to jockey Javier Castellano won’t hurt her chances either.

3rd Race) TITANIC WIND was forced to check in the stretch, losing all chance in his last start. He comes from out of the clouds, so he is probably prone to have some traffic issues. Jockey John Velazquez will guide him this afternoon and that could be the difference between winning and losing. MY BULLET beat the top pick but was disqualified for interference. Bugboy Josh Navarro takes the reins today, but he could have his hands full. CALIFORNIA COOL has never run on turf, but if he likes it, his speed figures certainly make him a contender in a wide open race full of question marks.

4th Race) Legendary female jockeys will compete in this special race honoring them. These gals are pioneers who forged the trail and furthered the cause and dreams of girls aspiring to be riders. RASHER had a nice prep at Laurel Park going a mile. The cut back to six furlongs should help the Rick Dutrow trainee have some punch in the stretch for jockey Mary Russ Tortora, the first woman to win a Grade 1 race. CLERIC will be ridden by one of the greatest woman riders of all time, P.J. Cooksey, a breast cancer survivor. He comes off a big win over the track but will need a little improvement to get the job done. AGAVE RIDGE will be ridden by my friend Cheryl White, who rode for me when I was a trainer. A black woman, she overcame countless trials and tribulations because of race and gender to win nearly 1000 races on several different breeds of horses. She is as tough as nails to get by in the stretch, so if her mount cooperates, look out! BROGUE has done well since being claimed back in January. He will be ridden by 60-year-old Barbara Jo Rubin, the first woman to win a pari-mutuel race in the United States.

5th Race) BACK TO THERAPY need only repeat her last race to be posing for pictures again. The daughter of Sea of Secrets was a timely claim by trainer Eberd Estrada, who employs jockey John Velazquez in search of his filly’s fourth straight victory.

6th Race) STARFISH BAY was beaten two lengths against the boys last time out. Back with fillies today, the Todd Pletcher-trained miss should be tough to beat, especially from the two-hole.

7th Race) Flattered when T.M.’s Treasure came back to win, LILY QUATORZE boasts the “golden triangle” signs of improvement. Her jockey, Anna Napravnik, is one of the best in the business and always among the leaders at Pimlico. Look for a big effort at a decent price. PINK SAND didn’t care much for the turf but gets back on the main track here. Jockey Jeremy Rose should have the daughter of Sky Mesa in striking distance throughout.

8th Race) PHILHARMONIC has a great late run in a race laden with early speed types. The Dogwood Stable colorbearer is in super form at this moment and continues to work well for trainer Chris Grove. Some luck in traffic will get the Jim McKay Turf Sprint trophy.

9th Race) Never worse than second in five career trips to the post, STARLITE STARBRITE should be up for more of the same in this spot. She can sit just off the pace and mow ‘em down in the lane at a short price.

10th Race) CONCEIT, a gelded son of top British sire Royal Applause, put it all together in his last start. Drawn outside, Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux should have his mount in the garden spot turning for home.

11th Race) ALL GIVING is two-for-two at Pimlico. The Maryland-bred has a perfect pressing style for this race and figures to get a great trip. Her bullet work on May 1 indicates she retains her sharpness.

12th Race) TIDAL POOL ran hard in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) finishing a valiant third. She comes back quick for the Black-Eyed Susan (G2) and might not really be a mile and an eighth filly. That’s enough for me to look elsewhere. ACTING HAPPY broke her maiden going that far and has run two solid seconds since then. She continues to perform well in the mornings and might be a bit of a sleeper. SEEKING THE TITLE is on a similar pattern to ‘HAPPY and should relish the added real estate.

13th Race) Shuffled back like a harness horse when Julien Leparoux opted to save ground at Keeneland, SMART SEATTLE should have won her last start by a block. A bullet drill at Fair Hills since means we can go home with a smile on our face.

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 13th, 2010 at 6:00 am and is filed under Selections. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.