The Preakness Stakes (G1) undercard May 16 at Laurel Park, was highlighted by the $150,000 Chick Lang Stakes, won by Obliteration in a no-doubt-about-it victory.
Under jockey Jose Ortiz, the son of Violence sat just off the leader Shane's Wonder, who posted fractions of :22.54, :45.76 and 57.72. The Steve Asmussen trainee continued to race on the rail under a comfortable hold from Ortiz. He made his move for the lead, coming off the rail as the field hit the stretch drive, and began to close in on Shane's Wonder. He hit the front at the sixteenth pole and commanded the race to the wire, beating all his rivals by 3 1/2 lengths. He completed the 6 furlongs in a final time of 1:09.77 and as the 3-5 post time favorite, he paid $3.40 for a $2 wager.
Shane's Wonder held second over third-place finisher Igniter by a nose after setting the pace.
Owned by Leland Ackerley Racing, James Sherwood, Jode Shupe, and John Cilia, Obliteration was second in his last start in the Saudi Derby (G3) and made his return to the United States a winning one.
Striker Has Dial Goes Gate to Wire in Skipat Stakes
Striker Has Dial took the field all the way in the $123,750 Skipat Stakes, the first stakes of the Preakness undercard.
The 5-year-old daughter of Dialed In broke sharply under jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. and competed with Modo for the early lead. She gained command and posted fractions of :22.47, :45.76, and :57.79. Down the backstretch, she continued to race comfortably and led the field by a length into the far turn of the 6-furlong test. As the field hit the top of the stretch, she came under a drive and began to pull away from her rivals. Steve Asmussen trainee Benedetta attempted an outside rally but was unable to catch the leader. Striker Has Dial hit the wire 1 3/4 lengths in front in a final time of 1:10.44. The Horacio De Paz trainee upset the field at 7-1, and paid $16.40 to win. Owned by Chief Horse Futures, the mare made it two wins in a row. Second in this race last year at Pimlico Race Course, she goes one better at Laurel.
Benedetta settled for second, while the post-time favorite Modo finished last of five after pressing the winner throughout the opening stages of the race. The second choice in the betting pools, Passage East, rallied for third after breaking poorly and finding herself at the back of the field throughout the race.
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Big Cuddle Upsets Final Story in Sir Barton
In the $100,000 Sir Barton Stakes, Big Cuddle ran down heavy favorite Final Story at odds of 5-1.
Let's Go Lando took the early advantage after the break in the field of six. Big Cuddle raced just behind the leaders under jockey Yedsit Hazlewood, and as they continued to travel down the backstretch, the 1-2 favorite Final Story took over the lead. Final Story continued to hold the advantage into the stretch, where Gary Capuano trainee Big Cuddle confronted him and continued to fight for the win on the grandstand side. He prevailed and hit the wire a half-length clear of the competition. The 3-year-old son of Great Notion finished the 1 1/16 miles in a final time of 1:44.47 on a fast main track and paid $12.80 for the win. Owned by Pocket 3's Racing, he wins the Sir Barton in just his fourth career start.
Brad Cox and Gary and Mary West's Final Story became the post-time favorite after Reagan's Honor scratched due to a fever, but had to settle for second. Minorinconvenience finished third after spotting the field from the back of the pack the majority of the race.
This story will be updated with other ungraded stakes action from the Saturday card at Laurel.
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