GIII Miss Preakness S.

BALTIMORE, MD -- A week of soggy weather couldn't dampen the spirits around the final Preakness weekend to be held at historic Pimlico Racecourse before it gets a major facelift. Five stakes, including a trio of graded tests, headline Friday's racing action, including the GII George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. With several big-name trainers rolling into town for the marquee weekend, the locally based Brittany Russell will attempt to become only the second female trainer in Maryland history to win the Black-Eyed Susan with Repole Stable's Reply (Curlin). The...

Former claimer Lady Scarlet recorded a career-high victory Friday when coming from off the pace to take the GIII Miss Preakness S. at Pimlico. Allowed to survey the pace in third early as 4-5 favorite Happy Soul, prompted by Gimmick, led the way through opening fractions of :23.01 and :45.58, the dark bay was given the cue by Irad Ortiz, Jr. while swinging out wide turning for home. Slowly reeling in the battling leaders down the lane, she took over and powered clear to score by 3 3/4 lengths over...

Gayla Rankin's Happy Soul (Runhappy), a well-beaten sixth last time out in Keeneland's 8 1/2-furlong GI Ashland S. Apr. 8, has already proven her talent sprinting and will attempt to get back on track in Friday's GIII Miss Preakness S. at Pimlico. A runaway winner in two of three starts at two, including Belmont's Astoria S. last June, she was shelved for the rest of the season before resurfacing with a three-length win in Oaklawn's six-panel Dixie Belle S. Feb. 19. In her latest work, she posted a bullet five...