Panty Raid wins Black-Eyed Susan

May 18, 2007 - 10:08 PM BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- Panty Raid stole the show in the $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes on Friday at Pimlico Race Course.

Coming off a pair of sharp efforts in Kentucky, Panty Raid settled in nicely off the pace before being roaring through the stretch to overtake Winning Point and reach the winner's circle for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Receiving a beautiful ride from Edgar Prado, Panty Raid made his move as the eight-horse field turned home, gradually picking up ground along the way.

Panty Raid covered 1 1/18 miles in 1:50.07 and paid $6.80, $3.40 and $2.60.

"I was a little concerned at the 3/8 pole," Pletcher said. "But I thought she could handle the extra distance."

It was the second win in three years for Pletcher, who also captured the event with Spun Sugar in 2005. Prado had been 0-for-13 in the Black-Eyed Susan.

Pletcher will be hoping the win is a prelude to a big weekend. The three-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer who is 0-for-26 in his career in Triple Crown races, saddles Circular Quay and King of the Roxy in Saturday's $1 million Preakness Stakes.

Winning Point, locally based for trainer Edmond Gaudet, held on for second with Luis Garcia in the saddle and returned $4 and $2.80.

Baroness Thatcher, who went off as the 8-5 favorite for trainer Patrick Biancone, paid $2.60 to show with Garrett Gomez in the irons.