2012 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico

By Cindy Pierson Dulay, About.com Guide

This year saw the return of the $300,000 Pimlico Special (G3) after a three-year absence. A field of 9 older horses contested this historic 1 3/16 mile trip, with Donn Handicap (G1) and New Orleans Handicap (G2) runner-up Mission Impazible sent off as the 5-2 favorite over 4-1 Alternation, winner of the Razorback (G3) and Oaklawn (G2) Handicaps, and 9-2 third choice Hymn Book, fourth in the Oaklawn Handicap after winning the Donn.

Jockey Martin Garcia sent 8-1 Endorsement to the lead and he got fractions of 23.60, 46.88, and 1:10.73 while as many as 3 lengths in front of 9-1 Yawanna Twist. Into the stretch, Endorsement continued to lead getting 1 mile in 1:36.72, but in the final furlong, Alternation, 3rd early, came through to win by a nose over fast-closing 6-1 Nehro in 1:57.60. It was another length back to Endorsement third, while favorite Mission Impazible was third.

Results chart