David Cassidy on the Web
Student Council and Sweet Vendetta notch Pimlico stakes
Friday, May 16, 2008
http//seattlepi.nwsource.com
Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Student Council and Sweet Vendetta picked up stakes victories at Pimlico Race Course on Friday as part of the Preakness Stakes weekend. The $250,000 Pimlico Special and the $200,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes whetted the appetites for Saturday.
In the 84th running of the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes for three-year-old fillies, Sweet Vendetta rallied down the stretch to capture the companion race to the Preakness.
Sherine set the pace in the 1 1/8 mile race on a sloppy track. Pressing the pace was local favorite Bsharpsonata, Maren's Meadow and Sherine's entry-mate Pious Ashley.
Up the backstretch Sherine continued on the lead as the other runners vied for position. Around the final turn Sherine was joined on the lead by Pious Ashley and Shes All Eltish.
Shes All Eltish, ridden by Garrett Gomez, took the lead with a furlong to run and seemed on her way to a victory. Sweet Vendetta and jockey Channing Hill moved off the rail down the stretch to catch the leader late.
Sweet Vendetta collared Shes All Eltish with 50 yards to go and posted a two- length win. Seattle Smooth finished third followed by Highest Class, Pious Ashley, Sherine, Maren's Meadow and Bsharpsonata. One Step Ahead was scratched from the race.
The time for the Black-Eyed Susan was 1:49.60.
Sweet Vendetta is trained by Gary Contessa for Team Penney Racing and David Cassidy. The win was worth $120,000. The filly has won three of seven career starts for $206,596.
Sweet Vendetta was making her first start away from Aqueduct where she won two of her previous three starts.
Sweet Vendetta paid $17.40, $8.40 and $5.20. Shes All Eltish paid $4.60 and $3.40, and Seattle Smooth returned $3.40 to show.
