Dateline: 05/14/2004
It was all work and no play for Golden Eagle Farm’s Yearly Report, the odds on favorite who won the 80th running of the nine furlong, Grade II $200,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes for three-year-old fillies. Jockey Jerry Bailey sent the daughter of General Meeting straight into contention from go. They moved through slow fractions of 25.21 for the quarter, 49.71 for the half and 1:13.97 for six furlongs while under restraint and racing in third place. Finally, straightening out for home, Yearly Report and Rare Gift separated from the pack, but just as suddenly Pawyne Princess, who had been boxed behind horses, charged into the fray. Yearly Report was able to prevail by 1-1/2 lengths over Pawyne Princess and Rare Gift finished third. The winner completed the distance in a pokey 1:52.65 and paid a popular $3 mutuel.
Winning jockey Jerry Bailey said, "I thought she was on paper the better filly and if she didn't wear herself out and got the trip she would win. I would have been happy if they had outrun me a length or a length and a half (early) but I didn't want to take her out of her rhythm. She just went on to win." Winning trainer Bob Baffert said, "It wasn't easy, but she doesn't know how to quit. This wasn't the Preakness, but we will take it. There is no question she likes to respond to a challenge. They can run up to her, but it's not easy to go by."
Also on the card today was the Pimlico Special for the handicap division. Check here for the results and photos from that race.
Forest Music, who was last in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies last year, made her first start of the year in the Miss Preakness Stakes a winning one. This time under jockey Ramon Dominquez, the usually speedy filly rated kindly behind the pacesetters, eased out five wide into the stretch and charged to the lead to win by just a head. Stephan's Angel came gamely after the winner but could only manage to be second. Fall Fashion was third. Winning jockey Ramon Dominguez said, "She rated real nicely. Turning for home I was looking for a hole and decided just to swing her wide and try and force my way through. She did great in the lane, just floated away. It was a blessing, actually that the speed got away from us early."
Friel's For Real had shipped to Maryland four times this year from her base at Philadelphia and won three times. She did it again today, pulling off an upset in the 13th running of the $150,000 Pimlico Distaff Breeders' Cup (Grade 3) for fillies and mares. She took off after front running favorite Angela's Love and tracked the pace for much of the 1-1/16 mile test on the main track. She went four wide into the lane then drew away to win by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:45.03. Another outsider, Saintly Action, finished second and Nonsuch Bay was third. Winning jockey Abel Castellano said, "I rode her two starts ago and won a stake at Laurel. She likes to sit a little behind and run at them. She's a real nice filly who gave me everything when I asked her to go today." Trainer Ned Allard said, "This is for sure an improving filly. Sword Dance progeny just seem to get better with age. I was a little leery of today's race because I was moving back in distance. The rider said the distance was no problem at all."
