5/18 (PIM): B/E Susan (G2), PIM Special (G3), 5 undercard stakes

[Merlinsky]

Any chance they can squeeze the Pimlico Special (I guess formerly known as the shorter distanced Schaefer) to a G2 for next year and bring back the Schaefer as a G3? I'd hate to just swap one out to get the other back so I'm gonna hope the horses in the field do well the rest of 2012--assuming that's what Pimlico even wants since the higher the grading, the higher the required minimum purse. You'd think they'd want it back in all it's G1 glory if they can afford it.

I've got fond memories of the Special from Strike the Gold who won it the first time I saw it on tv. He was the first horse I ever picked to win the Derby. I was a fan of all sports equine before so why I didn't watch the Derby prior to that, no idea. Of course, who can forget the initial Pimlico Special as the match up between Seabiscuit and the "18 hand" *ehem* War Admiral.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

Any chance they can squeeze the Pimlico Special (I guess formerly known as the shorter distanced Schaefer) to a G2 for next year and bring back the Schaefer as a G3? I'd hate to just swap one out to get the other back so I'm gonna hope the horses in the field do well the rest of 2012--assuming that's what Pimlico even wants since the higher the grading, the higher the required minimum purse. You'd think they'd want it back in all it's G1 glory if they can afford it.

Do they really need to run the Schaefer if they can maintain the Pimlico Special's purse? Seems like it would be kind of crowded given the woes of the track and the sparseness of the older horse division.

They used to run the Pimlico Special a week before the Preakness. Ideally, it would be a stand alone event that helps kick off Preakness week, not some undercard race. As a means of promoting its popularity, it would be cool to have some sort of bonus attached to competing in both the Preakness and the Pimlico Special in consecutive years. Many Preakness alumni have done so previous (Alysheba, Bet Twice, Cryptoclearance, Summer Squall, Unbridled, Strike The Gold, Real Quiet, Concern, Free House, Best Pal, Midway Road, Skip Away, Eddington, Tejano Run, Star Standard, Brian's Time).

[Danzig]

i agree with several others, the pimlico special looks like a good race.

and to heck with the WDS-that guy was a douche. still remember when he referenced the 'sh**house eastern shore'.

[slotdirt]

I like how they honored William Donald Schaefer's 2011 death by renaming his race. First sir Barton, now William Donald Schaefer. You are on notice, Barbara Fritchie and George "General George" Washington.

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

I like how they honored William Donald Schaefer's 2011 death by renaming his race. First sir Barton, now William Donald Schaefer. You are on notice, Barbara Fritchie and George "General George" Washington.

You forgot the paving over of Hirsch Jacobs in favor Chick Lang.

[slotdirt]

Originally Posted by Kasept

You forgot the paving over of Hirsch Jacobs in favor Chick Lang.

Totally forgot Hirsch Jacobs! I'm shocked the Gallorette and the Very One haven't been renamed the Precious Kitten and the Gilded Gold, respectively. Surely that is to happen the next time MJC either runs into more financial trouble or someone remotely related to Maryland racing passes (not to dismiss the fine work Chick Lang did in Maryland in his day).