Preakness Stakes: Fiftyshadesofhay wins the Black-Eyed Susan

On ladies day during the 89th running of Black-Eyed Susan at Pimlico Race Course, it was Fiftyshadesofhay came from the back to win by a neck.

Wearing blinkers for the first time, Fiftyshadesofhay lost her last to races to Beholder. Trainer Bob Baffert said “With the addition of blinkers we wanted her to, and she could, settle better. Without blinkers we had to encourage her to stay in a race.”

Jockey Joel Rosario had the mount and continued his hot streak. Baffert said, “I told Rosario to just ride your race, whatever you think. See how she breaks and keep her comfortable and just ride her Rosario style.”

Rosario gave his thoughts on the race, “It was kind of a perfect trip, but she was kind of slowing a little bit from the dirt in her face. I got her on the outside and she looked like she was really comfortable. When I passed the sixteenth-pole, I could see that the horse in front of me was backing up a little. That’s when I felt better.”

Fiftyshadesofhay won the $500,000 grade two stake for owner Mike Pegram for the third win of her career. She covered the nine furlongs in 1:52.73 and paid $6.60 as the betting second choice.

Historically, nine Black-Eyed Susan winners become Eclpise Award champion three year-old fillies. Some of the more famous winners were Twilight Tear, Davona Dale, Royal Delta, Serena’s Song, and Silverbulletday.