Bet on the Pimlico Special
The Pimlico Special has been run off and on at Pimlico Racetrack since 1937. Although the circumstances of the race have changed several times over the years, it is generally run in May, and has been a 1 3/16 miles race ever since its inception. The race was run continuously until 1958, and then was taken off the Pimlico calendar for the next 30 years, until 1988. When run in 1957 the purse was $60,000 – when it returned the purse was $710,000, and by 1990 it had been increased to $1 million.
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2016 Pimlico Special Contenders
The 2015 edition of the Pimlico Special (G3) attracted a competitive field of talented older horses. Commissioner, the royally-bred runner-up in the 2014 Belmont Stakes (G1), went off as the favorite in the field of seven after a sharp victory in the Skip Away Stakes (G3) in March at Gulfstream Park.
Confidently handled by jockey Javier Castellano, the four-year-old son of A.P. Indy briefly contested the lead with front-running longshot Encryption before putting away that rival as they approached the top of the stretch. He opened up a three-length advantage in the stretch and held off of a game rally by Page McKenney to win by 2 ½ lengths. For the second consecutive year, trainer Todd Pletcher saddled the winner of the Pimlico Special (G3).
Commissioner finished sixth in the Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) in his next start and has been on the sidelines since.
2015 Order of Finish: Win Place Show
1st: Commissioner $4.60 $3.00 $2.40
2nd: Page McKenney $5.00 $2.80
3rd: Cat Burglar $3.00
(Also Ran: Top Billing, Encryption, Transparent, Vyjack Scratched Horses: Albano, Tapiture, Kid Cruz)
Check back closer to the race for the contenders for the 2016 Pimlico Special!
Did you know?
Cigar is just one of several Hall of Fame Horses that have the Pimlico Special victory on their resume. The very first winner in 1937 was the great Triple Crown champion War Admiral, and in short order, two other Triple Crown legends, Whirlaway in 1942 and Citation in 1948 would win the race, but in both cases, they were considered such favorites to win, that no other horses were entered against them, and they simply had to “walkover” the course (although, of course they did actually run). The 1938 Pimlico Special was the famous two-horse $25,000 “match race” won by Seabiscuit over War Admiral.