Historic Black-Eyed Susan Day Sets Handle Record

LAUREL, MD – The 100th edition of the Black-Eyed Susan (G2) at historic Pimlico Race Course Friday produced a record total handle of $28.4 million.

The Black-Eyed Susan for 3-year-old fillies, one of six stakes worth $1 million in purses on the afternoon, was won by R. Lee Lewis’ Gun Song, trained by Mark Hennig and ridden by Hall of Famer John Velazquez.

Other graded-stakes on the program saw Pyrenees give trainer Cherie DeVaux her first career three-win day in the historic $250,000 Pimlico Special (G3), and Mystic Lake register a front-running triumph in the $150,000 Miss Preakness (G3).

Friday’s record handle on Black-Eyed Susan Day eclipsed the previous mark set last year of $28.2 million.

Pimlico hosts the 149th Preakness Stakes (G1), Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown, Saturday afternoon. Post time for the first of 14 races is 10:30 a.m.