A field of 11 three-year-olds has been entered in Saturday’s $150,000
Federico
Tesio S. on Pimlico’s opening weekend. The nine-furlong test became the
feature event when the $200,000 Jim McKay Breeders’ Cup H. was canceled due to
a lack of entries.
The Tesio has been used in the past by such stars as Deputed Testamony,
Oliver’s Twist and Magic Weisner as a springboard to the Preakness S. (G1). This
year’s field includes Wood Memorial S. (G1) fourth-place runner SCANLON’S SONG
(Partner’s Hero) and the top two finishers from the Private Terms S., OUR PEAK
(Peaks and Valleys) and AH DAY (Malibu Moon), respectively.
Scanlon’s Song is now on his third trainer from four lifetime starts. The
dark bay gelding easily broke his maiden debut by 2 3/4 lengths, but hasn’t
visited the winner’s circle since. He did rally to get fourth in the Wood
Memorial in his last one over a sloppy track at Aqueduct and will get blinkers
added by trainer Alan Klanfer.
Our Peak took four tries to break his maiden, but has since captured two of
three starts, including the Private Terms last out. He’ll stretch out another
eighth of a mile here off that one and will face Ah Day and Maryland Juvenile
Championship S. hero VEGAS PLAY (Exploit), who was fifth in the Private Terms,
once again.
Also scheduled for Saturday are three other stakes. The $125,000
Maryland Stallion Station S., sending sophomores six furlongs, drew nine
runners, including Dancing Count S. winner GREAT SENECA (Allen’s Prospect), 4
3/4-length allowance victor PAGAN MOON (Malibu Moon) and maiden hero CAYMAN
CONDO (Partner’s Hero). The sophomore fillies will get their turn in the
$125,000
Country Life Farm S. at 1 1/16 miles, with Maryland Juvenile Filly
Championship S. winner SOMETHINABOUTBETTY (Forestry) heading the field of six.
Wrapping up the stakes action at Pimlico on Saturday will be the $125,000
Northview Stallion Station S., comprised of 12 distaffers going nine
furlongs on the main track. Last season’s Country Life Farm S. winner, ONLY IN
PHILLY (Polish Numbers), and Northview Stallion Station S. victress, SILMARIL
(Diamond), will each be seeking her first win of the year in this spot
while Maryland Racing Media H. heroine STICKY (Concern) will try for her second
straight stakes win of 2006.