EVENLY MATCHED THREE-YEAR OLDS SET FOR SATURDAY’S TESIO STAKES
BALTIMORE, 04-29-10---Three trainers who have had runners finish in the money in the Preakness Stakes in recent years will saddle three-year-olds in the Federico Tesio Stakes this Saturday at Pimlico Race Course. The Tesio has catapulted such runners as Deputed Testamony, Oliver’s Twist and Magic Weisner to Preakness stardom in its 29 previous runnings.
Mike Trombetta (2006 Preakness runner-up Sweetnorthernsaint), Graham Motion (Icabad Crane-third in the 2008 Preakness after winning the Tesio) and Derek Ryan (Musket Man third last year) will start runners in Saturday’s headliner.
Tony Dutrow ships Bank The Eight (9-5) to Pimlico from Philadelphia Park for the 1-1/8th mile Tesio. The Distorted Humor colt won his previous start, drawing off to win over the slopping going at his home course. Prior to that he raced twice at Gulfstream Park, finishing sixth behind Eskendereya, followed by a runner-up finish, and both races were allowance tests. Mario Pino has the riding assignment.
Maryland-bred Regal Warrior (2-1), a winner of two of his eight starts, comes into the Tesio off a second in the Miracle Wood Stakes and a third in the Private Terms Stakes, both contested at Laurel Park. Julian Pimentel retains the mount on the son of 1996 Preakness winner Louis Quatorze for Trombetta.
“He has been training super,” Trombetta said. “He has been slow to come around but gradually he is getting better. He has learned to settle and sit behind horses better. I am hopeful that he’ll continue to get better. Any time a horse can be competitive in stakes we are glad to have him. We would love for him to graduate from being stakes placed to a stakes winner on Saturday.”
Only one runner in the Tesio is nominated to the Triple Crown. Noah’s Dream (5-2) will carry the hopes of owner Priscilla Graham and Motion. Noah’s Dream, a two-time winner in five starts, tested stakes company last time out, finishing fifth in the Grade III Bay Shore Stakes at Aqueduct. The son of Pulpit will carry Luis Garcia for the first time.
Ryan ships The Peloton (10-1) from Philadelphia Park. The El Corredor gelding is a two-time winner at his home course. His second win at home came after he spent the winter at Tampa Bay Downs. Harry Vega picks up the mount.
Completing the field is London Lane (8-1), a maiden winner from the barn of Larry Murray.
Saturday’s first post is 12:45 p.m. to accommodate both an eleven race card and simulcast of the 136th Kentucky Derby, which follows at 6:24 p.m.
-mjc-
Mike Gathagan
Vice President-Communications
Maryland Jockey Club
410-578-4461 (Pimlico)
301-470-5461 (Laurel Park)
240-876-7403 (Mobile)
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