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Icabad Crane
Photo Credit: Jim McCue/MJC
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BALTIMORE, 04-19-08---Earle Mack’s lightly raced colt Icabad Crane carried Jeremy Rose to his third stakes victory of the afternoon when he captured the $150,000 Federico Tesio Stakes at the end of a head-to-head battle down the length of the Pimlico homestretch. The Tesio was one of four stakes races contested today on opening weekend at Old Hilltop and has been used as a springboard to the Preakness Stakes by standouts like Deputes Testamony (1983), Oliver’s Twist (1995) and Magic Weisner (2002).
Icabad Crane ($5.80), with only three starts on his resume, won for trainer Graham Motion in 1:50.83 for the nine furlong distance over the fast main track. Mint Lane set the pace and finished a gallant second, only a head behind the winner. Deputyville was third.
The winner beat New York-breds in his first and second starts and finished third in the Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park in his most recent go-around. This was Rose’s first ride on the son of Jump Start.
“My horse was great,” Rose said. “In the mornings he is lazy. When I worked him I couldn’t believe he was the horse everyone likes in the barn. He is a great horse to ride. I was impressed at how game he was when I had him in a couple of tight spots. Luckily it worked out for us. He’s a game little horse”.
“I could not have asked for any more,” said Mario Pino, who was aboard the runner-up. “When I asked him he gave me everything he had. I couldn’t believe he got passed because I had so much horse turning into the lane. Someone was really going to have to be running to beat us.”
The Motion barn already has a Kentucky Derby horse as Adriano will represent the Fair Hill Training Center based conditioner. Motion made his Derby debut with Chilito 10 years ago and has saddled two Preakness starters—Bay Eagle (2001) and Equality (2002).
“The Preakness is something Mr. Mack and Graham will discuss,” said assistant trainer Adrian Rolls. “This is only his fourth start, so this was a nice step up. He has a great disposition and is easy to train. You always hope to have good 3-year olds.”
Rose has won nine of the 22 stakes races conducted in Maryland this calendar year. He also earned stakes victories this afternoon with Lexi Star (Geisha) and Ravalo (Allen’s Prospect) and just missed a sweep by a length when Eddie C. was passed in deep stretch by Powerful Touch in the Jim McKay.
“I love these kinds of days,” Rose added.
-MJC-