BALTIMORE, 04-19-14---Out quick under Tony Black, Martin Scafidi’s Winning Image maintained the lead from the gate to finish line and won the $100,000 Primonetta Stakes, the second of four stakes races at Pimlico Race Course this afternoon.

The Michael Aro trainee, a daughter of Southern Image, was winning her second straight stakes in Maryland after capturing the What A Summer Stakes at Laurel Park in January, her most recent start.

“I watched some earlier races and it didn’t look like the rail was going to be good spot to be in,” said Black, who ranks 23^rd on the all-time North America win list with 5,206 career victories. “She broke so well I just committed her to the lead while remaining three or four off the rail. The eight (She’s Ordained) was pressing us pretty good but my filly is the kind that doesn’t get aggressive and try running out with you. She was very comfortable. I turned for home, I stayed right where I wanted to be off the rail. If I gave them a passing lane they would have to come down the rail where it is a little deeper. Once she kicked clear I felt very confident. She’s a very talented horse. A fun ride for a 62-year-old.”

Winning Image completed the 6-furlong distance in 1:12.16 and won by three-quarters of a length, while paying $9.40. Do Somethin rallied to take second beating Red’s Round Table, who loomed a threat, by a head. She’s Ordained finished fourth.

“She’s named right, right? Aro said. “I was a little concerned about the layoff but she ran great again. I was hoping she would because we’ve had to go through two quarantines and with all that bad weather she still did a great job today. When Tony Black says this is one of the best horses he has ridden since the 80’s, that’s really telling you something. He just keeps going.”

The win was the ninth stakes victory for the 7-year-old, which included a run of four straight stakes from December 2012 to July 2013, and improved her career earnings to $650,137.
 

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.