Among 10 Stakes, Five Graded, Worth $3.3M Preakness Day
BALTIMORE – Though he has the smallest resume, Invictus will carry the highest profile into the 27th running of the $100,000 Spendthrift Farms Sir Barton sponsored by Spendthrift Farm to benefit the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.
The 1 1/16th-mile Sir Barton, named for the first horse to sweep the races that became known as the Triple Crown, is for 3-year-olds who have not won an open sweepstakes. It is among 10 stakes, five graded, worth $3.3 million in purses on a blockbuster 14-race program anchored by the 150th Preakness Stakes (G1), Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown. First race post time is 10:30 a.m. ET.
Other graded stakes on the card are the $250,000 Dinner Party (G3) for 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/8 miles and $150,000 Gallorette (G3) for fillies and mares 3 and older at 1 1/16 miles, both carded for the grass, the $150,000 Maryland Sprint (G3) at six furlongs for 3-year-olds and up, as well as the $150,000 UAE President Cup (G1) for older Arabian horses.
Invictus is a high-priced son of famous parents, leading sire Into Mischief and Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Serengeti Empress that will be making his stakes debut, trying two turns for the first time in the Sir Barton. He is the first foal out of Joel Politi’s standout race mare, fetching $1.2 million as a yearling purchased by WinStar Farm and China Horse Club.
Trainer Brad Cox gave the colt his first start last summer at Saratoga, where he finished seventh. Invictus did not compete again until April 8 and he promptly broke his maiden at seven furlongs by 2 ½ lengths under jockey Flavien Prat. Since the victory, Invictus has worked three times for Cox at Churchill Downs.
“A little bit of a tall task, but he’s been training really well,” Cox said. “Really well-bred, expensive yearling. Nice horse. We thought this would be a good spot.”
Frank Fletcher Racing Operations Inc.’s Curlin colt Bestfriend Rocket has won three of his last five starts since blinkers were added last year by former trainer Brittany Russell. Now handled by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, Bestfriend Rocket won his 2025 debut at Oaklawn Park.
Lukas tried him in the Arkansas Derby (G1) on March 29 at Oaklawn, where broke out at the start, never mounted a serious challenge and finished eighth. Since the Arkansas Derby, where he ended up 47 lengths behind Preakness runner Sandman, he has turned in bullet works in three of his four breezes.
“[Fletcher Racing] moved that horse in to have it there in the Hot Springs, and we got along well,” Lukas said. “We won with it right away. And I really think he’s on the improve. I think that horse is doing a lot better. He might be a factor in here,” Lukas said. “[The Arkansas Derby] didn’t work out, but that whole trip wasn’t good. He’s trained better since.”
Lashawna Lynch’s Just a Fair Shake has hit the board in all four of his career starts. The son of the late sire Laoban has turned into a bargain buy for his owner. He was purchased for $8,000 as a yearling and has already earned $102,600, all in races at Laurel Park.
Trainer Daniel McKenzie tried blinkers when he returned to the races in March and Just a Fair Shake won a 1 1/16-mile optional claimer. He was a sharp second to Pay Billy on April 19 in the $150,000 Federico Tesio, whose winner earned an automatic starting berth in the Preakness.
Bobby Flay and James Ventura’s Crudo, trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, steps into the Sir Barton after a smashing maiden victory at Keeneland on April 19. The Justify colt won the seven-furlong test for fun by 7 ¼ lengths. Crudo stumbled in his debut and rushed up into contention, but ended up fourth.
Fleur de Lis Stables, William S. Sparks and Bret Jones’ speedy Hymn has made all three of his career starts for trainer Ron Moquett at Oaklawn Park. In his most recent start, he was fourth, beaten two lengths, in the $200,000 Bathhouse Row on April 19. He prepped for the Sir Barton with a half-mile breeze in :46 4/5 May 10 at Churchill Downs. It was the fourth-fastest time of 101 horses at the distance that morning.
Greenwell Thoroughbreds LLC’s Authentic Gallop, trained by Tom Amoss, will be making his first start since finishing last of seven in the Virginia Derby March 15 at Colonial Downs. The son of Authentic has had five subsequent works.
Bold Diversion, owned by J R Sanchez Racing Stable, returns to stakes company after finishing seventh in the Federico Tesio. Owner-trainer Rudy Sanchez-Salomon claimed the gray gelding out of a winning maiden effort Jan. 26. He ran a distant second in the mud, closing after hitting the gate at the start, then won at the Sir Barton distance on March 7 while showing speed. He was prominent early in the Tesio before tiring.
Mr. Bogan, trained by Josue Arce, ships in from Parx where he has been no worse than third in six consecutive starts. This will be the stakes debut for the Maximum Security gelding.
Trainer Saffie Joseph has brought Bear Claw Necklace up from Gulfstream Park, where he has a win and two thirds in three career starts. In his most recent start, the Lord Nelson colt had a troubled trip when third in a one-mile optional claiming allowance March 9.