Pimlico Special added to Black-Eyed Susan card

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Pimlico Race Course's 2012 spring stakes schedule and racing days have received final approval from the Maryland Racing Commission. The eight-week race meet is highlighted by the 137th $1 million Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 19.

An added bonus to the stakes schedule is the reappearance of the $300,000 Pimlico Special for handicap horses. The 1 3/16-mile Special will be part of the Friday, May 18 card featuring the $300,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes for three-year-old fillies.

"Having a strong stakes schedule at Pimlico is important," said Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas. "The return of the Special combined with the purse increases for the Black-Eyed Susan, Dixie and six other stakes races over Preakness weekend improves our profile. We are working hard to make the other races desirable to the horsemen and bettors. Increased purses will hopefully lead to larger fields and more wagering."

Last year's Black-Eyed Susan was won by Royal Delta who went on to capture the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic and was named 2011 champion three-year-old filly.

The Federico Tesio Stakes, a traditional prep race for the Preakness, will now be known as the Canonero II in honor of the 1971 Preakness and Kentucky Derby winner. The $75,000 stakes at 1 1/16-miles will be held on Saturday, May 5.

All told there will be 22 stakes races during Pimlico's spring meet for a total of $3.425 million.

Pimlico's 29 day spring meeting will begin Friday, March 30 and conclude with the Preakness Stakes card.