Jeremy Rose rode Icabad Crane to a close victory to claim $150,000 Federico Tesio Stakes at Pimlico on Saturday, as the 3-year-old colt shined in a race often used to prepare horses for the Preakness Stakes.
Icabad Crane finished the 1 1/8-mile course in one minute, 50.83 seconds, finishing just a few feet ahead of Mint Lane and jockey Mario Pino and third-place Deputyville.
“My horse was great,” Rose said in a statement. “In the mornings he is lazy. When I worked him I couldn?t believe he was the horse everyone likes in the barn. He is a great horse to ride. I was impressed at how game he was when I had him in a couple of tight spots. Luckily it worked out for us. He?s a game little horse.”
It was the third win in four starts for Icabad Crane, as the horse won his first two races at the at Aqueduct in New York before taking third in the $100,000 Rushaway Stakes on March 22 at Turfway Park. But on Saturday, Icabad Crane returned to his winning ways ? barely.
“I could not have asked for any more,” said Pino of Mint Lane in a statement. “When I asked him he gave me everything he had. I couldn?t believe he got passed because I had so much horse turning into the lane. Someone was really going to have to be running to beat us.”
Still, the victory does not guarantee Icabad Crane will compete at the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 17.
“The Preakness is something Mr. Mack and Graham will discuss,” assistant trainer Adrian Rolls in a statement. “This is only his fourth start, so this was a nice step up. He has a great disposition and is easy to train. You always hope to have good 3-year olds.”
JIM MCKAY STAKES » Pino rode Powerful Torch to victory and $75,000 in the 1 1/16-mile race for colts at least 3 years old. Torch, an 8-year-old gelding, won the race in 1:43.13, finishing ahead of Eddie C. Mint and Slewlep.
GEISHA STAKES » Lexi Star, jockeyed by Rose, claimed the 1 1/16-mile race and $60,000 in 1:43.76, winning by a head over Spectacular Malibu. Come Far Away placed third.
“I love the way she overcame everything today and still got the job done,” Rose said in a statement. “She is an impressive mare and I hope we can get to the million mark with her as well.”
ALLEN?S PROSPECT STAKES » Rose rode Ravalo to a wire-to-wire victory in the six furlong race horses at least 3 years old, as Ravalo claimed $75,000 by holding off Cognac Kisses by a length and a half in 1:09.82. Grand Champion placed third.
“I thought Cognac Kisses would be right with me but he got left and it put me in a perfect spot,” Rose said in a statement. “That allowed us to dictate the race. He is a nice horse.”
? The Maryland Jockey Club contributed to this report.
