Mott Seeks Second Pimlico Special Win With Modernist

No one could blame trainer Bill Mott if he takes a stroll down memory lane while Modernist  is being saddled in the May 14 Pimlico Special Match Series Stakes (G3).

Though 26 years have passed, the 1995 Pimlico Special is one of 16 unforgettable races that fill the Hall of Fame trainer with a wealth of emotions.

"There was a really good horse that won it," Mott recalled about that long ago trip to Pimlico Race Course.

Actually, "really good" might be underestimating that famed winner of the 1 3/16-mile stakes.

A better choice of words might be "unconquerable" or "invincible" or even "unbeatable."

Yes, if you haven't figured it out yet, Mott was referring to the victory by the legendary Cigar in the Pimlico Special, which was the seventh of the Hall of Famer's 16 straight wins for Mott and owner Allen Paulson. Jockey Jerry Bailey was aboard for each of those wins except the first in the streak.

"You know, we're not quite as loaded this time," Mott said, "though I don't want to (insult) the horse."

In all fairness, considering there are only a handful of horses all-time who were good enough to share the same sentence as Cigar, there's no disrespect at all for Modernist in those words. Horses who win 16 straight races and 19 of 33 overall while earning $9,999,815 are indeed the rarest of athletes who are not fair measuring sticks for 99.99% of horses.

Yet, keeping everything in perspective, Mott has developed the 4-year-old Modernist into a quality runner who is certainly capable of handling 10 rivals and adding his name alongside Cigar on the long list of Pimlico Special victors.

Owned by Pam and Martin Wygod, the homebred son of Uncle Mo   is coming into the $250,000 stakes off a 2 1/2-length win in the April 3 Excelsior Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack in just his second start after a lengthy layoff of nearly eight months.

Before that, the 2020 Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford (G2) winner was second March 6 in the 1 1/16-mile $100,000 Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs.

"We think that (1 3/16-mile) distance suits him," said Mott, who is seeking a second Pimlico Special victory. "He's a year stronger and older."

The Todd Pletcher-trained Fearless  is another New York shipper who could have a big say in the outcome. Like Modernist, he's coming into his third start after a layoff and has a first and a second in two sharp 2021 tries.

Owned by WinStar Farm and China Horse Club, the 5-year-old gelding was last seen rallying from sixth in the final furlong to finish second by a half-length in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and improve his career record to four wins and two seconds from eight career starts. A son of Ghostzapper  , he returned from an eight-month layoff to the win the Feb. 27 WinStar Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes (G2).

In his final work for Friday's stakes, Fearless worked May 8 in company at Belmont Park with Pletcher's Preakness Stakes (G1) candidate Unbridled Honor . Both horses were timed in :49.75 for four furlongs.

"His last two starts have been very good and he seems to be holding his form, so we are happy with him," Pletcher said. "I think everything about the Pimlico Special suits him, timing-wise and distance-wise."

Contenders in Friday's race also include March 20 New Orleans Classic Stakes (G2) third Enforceable , multiple grade 1-placed and last year's Preakness fifth Max Player , last year's Pimlico Special winner Harpers First Ride , and Challenger Stakes winner Last Judgment .

Entries: Pimlico Special Match Series S. (G3)

Pimlico Race Course, Friday, May 14, 2021, Race 12

• Grade III
• 1 3/16m
• Dirt
• $250,000
• 3 yo's & up
• 5:12 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Modernist (KY)	Junior Alvarado	122	William I. Mott	6/1
2	2Fearless (KY)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	124	Todd A. Pletcher	9/5
3	3Forewarned (OH)	Alexander Crispin	122	Uriah St. Lewis	30/1
4	4Enforceable (KY)	John R. Velazquez	122	Mark E. Casse	10/1
5	5Max Player (KY)	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	122	Steven M. Asmussen	12/1
6	6Prioritize (KY)	Joel Rosario	122	H. James Bond	10/1
7	7Harpers First Ride (MD)	David Cohen	122	Robertino Diodoro	10/1
8	8Cordmaker (MD)	Victor R. Carrasco	122	Rodney Jenkins	15/1
9	9Treasure Trove (KY)	Luis Saez	122	Michael J. Maker	15/1
10	10Alwaysmining (MD)	Sheldon Russell	122	A. Lands Trites	20/1
11	11Last Judgment (FL)	Jose L. Ortiz	122	Michael J. Maker	4/1