BALTIMORE, 04-25-13---Pimlico Race Course will feature two stakes on Saturday afternoon, the $75,000 Federico Tesio Stakes for up-and-coming three year olds and the $50,000 Shine Again Stakes for Maryland-bred fillies and mares.

The Tesio is the prep for runners with an eye on competing in the Preakness Stakes (G1) on Saturday, May 18. Ten runners are entered.

Pimlico handicapper Frank Carulli has tabbed Abstraction, who broke his maiden at Fair Grounds March 13, as his 7-5 morning line choice. Trainer David Carroll has worked his charge three times at Churchill Downs in anticipation of this start. Leandro Goncalves has the riding assignment on the son of Pulpit, who is not one of the four Triple Crown nominated runners in the race.

Laurel Park-based Dynamic Strike (4-1) is Triple Crown nominated. The Dickie Small trainee won the Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel Park in February, one of three victories for the son of Smart Strike. Forest Boyce has been aboard for each start.

“I was disappointed with his first race around two turns (Private Terms Stakes last month),” Boyce said. “He is one of those horses where you are going to see a different horse next year. For as much as he has done already, he has a lot to learn. I am actually interested in seeing him on the turf.”

Former Maryland riding star Edgar Prado is named to pilot Heat Press (8-1), a Graham Motion trainee. The Malibu Moon colt broke his maiden at Laurel Park in December and won an entry level allowance start at Parx Racing last time out. Earlier this week, owner Kevin Plank of Sagamore Farm indicated he would like to see Heat Press compete in the Preakness if all goes well in the Tesio. The stable was represented by Tiger Walk a year ago.

Rienzi (8-1) moved from the Chad Brown barn to John Servis’ stable after returning from Florida and won an entry level allowance at Parx Racing in April. He posted a bullet workout there on April 22 and is scheduled to carry Kendrick Carmouche on Saturday.

Rounding out the field are Just Win Baby (10-1), Hanky Doodle (10-1), Wry Me (12-1), Wabbajack (15-1), Handsome Tiger (20-1) and Indian Companion (20-1).

The Shine Again is limited to runners seeking their first stakes win and has attracted eight fillies and mares. The morning line favorite is Touch the Birds (2-1), who finished third in this race last year and added in the money finishes to her stakes resume this year, with a second in the Nellie Morse and a third in the Maryland Racing Media Stakes. Boyce rides the Dance With Ravens mare for Carlos Mancilla. Mancilla is filling in for regular trainer Chris Grove, who is currently suspended.

“I love her,” added Boyce. “I actually rode her first time out for Dickie (trainer Dickie Small) and won but Chris claimed her. I was trying to get back on her but Chris was using a different rider. It has been a fortunate turn of events that I have been able to regain the mount the last three starts and it is cool to see how she has matured.”

Mancilla will also saddle Celtic Katie (5-2), who will be making her stakes debut. The daughter of Posse comes into the Shine Again off a romping victory over entry level allowance runners at Laurel Park in late March. Julian Pimentel has the mount.

Daydreamin Gracie’s (7-2) best stakes effort was a third place finish in the All Brandy at Laurel last fall. She has won eight of 24 starts for Dane Kobiskie, including an allowance score last week. Joshua Navarro will ride.

In addition to the 11-races Saturday afternoon, items from Preakness and Pimlico past will be awarded as part of a Piece of the Past promotion giveaway available at the Grandstand entrance.  All fans will receive a chit that can be exchanged for a pair of vintage Preakness glasses plus one other choice. Fans can choose from Preakness t-shirts, Pimlico caps and much more through the last live race.

MEDIA CELEBRITY ANNOUNCERS DAY SET FOR NEXT FRIDAY

Members of the Baltimore press corps will find out how difficult it is to call a race next Friday, May 3 in the first annual Celebrity Announcer Day at Pimlico Race Course. Track announcer Dave Rodman will take a backseat for much of the afternoon while nine media celebrities get the opportunity of a lifetime.

Here is the lineup:

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, WNST Radio
Race 7-Steve Kolbe, CBS Radio
Race 8-Jim Hunter, Baltimore Orioles
Race 9-Phil Chenier, Comcast Sports Net

“They are all extremely talented at what they do,” said Pimlico president Tom Chuckas. “Many even have play-by-play experience but track announcers are a different breed and to be able to do what they do, day in and day out is amazing. It should be interesting to see who will stand out. I am sure all will have greater respect for Dave Rodman after completing the call.”

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.