BALTIMORE, 05-02-13---Samantha Colvin captured her first lifetime win this afternoon when Rocket Ninetyeight won today’s opener at Pimlico Race Course. The 26-year-old grew up in Williamsport, PA and spent nearly a decade in the United States Army in signals intelligence.

Rocket Ninetyeight stalked the pace, moved three-wide into the stretch, took command and drew away. The $16,000 claiming maiden won by 3-3/4 lengths for owner-trainer Calvin Barth and paid $18.80.

“I’m here to ride and to win,” said Colvin, who was victorious on her fifth career mount.
 

MEDIA CELEBRITY ANNOUNCERS DAY SET FOR FRIDAY

Members of the Baltimore press corps will find out how difficult it is to call a race tomorrow in the first annual Celebrity Announcer Day at Pimlico. Track announcer Dave Rodman will take a backseat for all but two races while eight media celebrities get the opportunity of a lifetime.

Race 1-Bryan Nehman, WBAL Radio  
Race 2-Jamie Costello, WMAR-TV
Race 3-Gerry Sandusky, WBAL-TV
Race 4-Mark Viviano, WJZ-TV
Race 5-Bruce Cunningham, WBFF-TV
Race 6-Nestor Aparicio, www.wnst.net
Race 7-Steve Kolbe, CBS Radio
Race 10-Jim Hunter, Baltimore Orioles
 

PIMLICO TO OFFER $50,000 GUARANTEE ON JACKPOT PICK 5

Beginning on Kentucky Derby day, Pimlico will offer a $50,000 guarantee on the Jackpot Pick 5. The wager, which begins with race six on Saturday’s 11-race card, pays any carryover to a single, unique winning ticket.

Here are the highlights of the wager, which began during the 2012 spring meet:

• 60% of the daily pool is paid to multiple winners or “best of fives”
• 40% of the daily pool builds a jackpot carryover payable to a single, unique winning ticket
• 50¢ minimum bet and ticket value
• 18% takeout
• Late scratches are awarded post time favorites
• A move from turf to dirt results in an “all”; a surface change in more than one leg results in a refund

About Pimlico Race Course

Historic Pimlico Race Course, home of the Preakness® Stakes, the middle jewel in horse racing's famed Triple Crown, first opened its doors on October 25, 1870, and is the second oldest racetrack in the United States. Pimlico has played host to racing icons and Baltimoreans have seen the likes of legendary horses such as Man o’ War, Seabiscuit, Secretariat, Affirmed and Cigar thunder down the stretch in thrilling and memorable competition. For more information on Pimlico, visit www.pimlico.com.

Pimlico Race Course is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida and is one of North America's top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world's largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; Xpressbet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a major producer of televised horse racing programming through its HRTV cable and satellite network and is North America's premier supplier of virtual online horse racing games, as well as a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.