Contentious Group Entered for Pimlico Special

A solid, evenly matched field of nine, including five graded stakes winners, was entered for the $300,000 Pimlico Special Stakes (gr. III) at Pimlico Race Course May 16.

The Pimlico Special, at 1 3/16 miles for 3-year-olds and up, is scheduled as race 12 on a 13-race program that begins at noon EDT. The $500,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II) for 3-year-old fillies is carded as race 10 on the Friday program.

Should he race, Southern Equine Stable’s Moreno figures to attract attention after his 2014 debut in the Charles Town Classic (gr. II). The 4-year-old Ghostzapper   gelding was hard-used early versus favored Game On Dude, dropped back after five-eighths of a mile, and then re-rallied to finish third behind Imperative and Game On Dude.

Moreno, trained by Eric Guillot, then shipped back to his California base. Moreno, second last year to Will Take Charge in the Travers Stakes (gr. I) and Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II), worked five furlongs in 1:01 on a fast track at Santa Anita Park May 9.

Joel Rosario, who was aboard in the Charles Town Classic, is named to ride Moreno from post 3 at 118 pounds. Moreno earned the top Equibase Speed Figure of his career (118) in the Charles Town Classic.

The 124-pound highweight under the allowance conditions of the Pimlico Special is E. Paul Robsham Stables’ Golden Lad, a 4-year-old Medaglia d'Oro   colt who won the grade III Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park earlier this year for trainer Todd Pletcher. Based on his past performances, Golden Lad, who also has a career-high Equibase Speed Figure of 118, would play a role in the early pace of the Special.

Jose Lezcano, three-for-three aboard Golden Lad, has the call from post 4.

Pletcher also entered WinStar Farm’s Revolutionary, who overcame trouble in the Oaklawn Handicap (gr. I) last time out to finish only three-quarters of a length behind Will Take Charge, the champion 3-year-old male of 2013, and earn a 103 Equibase Speed Figure. Mike Smith gets a return call aboard the 4-year-old War Pass colt from post 6 at 118 pounds.