Havnameltdown vs. Super Chow in Chick Lang

Three months after dropping a narrow decision to Commissioner King in the Saudi Derby (G3), a refreshed Havnameltdown  returns to the starting gate in the May 20 $200,000 Chick Lang Stakes (G3) at Pimlico Race Course.

The nimble son of Uncaptured  reverts back to what he does best on Saturday—sprinting—as he takes on six other sophomores in the six-furlong Chick Lang. Prior to his runner-up effort in the one-mile Saudi Derby, he began his 2023 campaign with a frontrunning score over seven furlongs in the San Vicente Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park. The winner in two other one-turn graded stakes races a juvenile, Havnameltdown is sure to be a key contender in what's shaping up to be a lively pace on the front end. Recent Bachelor Stakes victor Ryvit  and Hutcheson Stakes winner Super Chow  both exit victories where they commanded swift opening fractions before coasting clear of the competition.

Campaigned by the 'Three Amigos,' Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman, Havnameltdown does hold a key advantage over his rivals in breaking from the rail post. Following two bullet drills over the last two weekends leading up to the Chick Lang, a sharp Havnameltdown is nearly certain to spring to the lead under jockey Luis Saez in a spirited game of 'catch me if you can.'

Havnameltdown shipped into Pimlico from Santa Anita last Saturday with a Bob Baffert contingent comprised of Preakness Stakes (G1) contender National Treasure , Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) morning-line favorite Faiza , and Sir Barton Stakes runner Arabian Lion .

Although the Steve Asmussen-trained Ryvit rides a three-race win streak into the Chick Lang, Lea Farms' Super Chow stands to pose the biggest threat to 8-5 shot Havnameltdown. With jockey Paco Lopez replacing an injured Chantal Sutherland aboard the Lord Nelson  colt, the speed-favoring Super Chow has found the winner's circle in six of his eight starts, including four wins in stakes company.

Trained by Jorge Delgado, the Florida shipper has led at every call in each of his wins except for in the March 18 Hutcheson. Despite missing the break that day, he still wrangled the lead by the half-mile pole and drew off to win by 5 1/4 lengths.

Local Maryland stakes winner Prince of Jericho , hailing from the typically red-hot Brittany Russell barn, will be looking to pick up the pieces late if a pace meltdown ensues. The Michael Dubb and Morris Bailey runner wheels back to one turn following two failed outings traveling two turns. Three starts back, he captured the seven-furlong Spectacular Bid Stakes at Laurel Park.

Russell's husband, Sheldon Russell, has the mount on the Munnings   colt from the far outside post.