Ventana showed a great deal of courage in the homestretch of Pimlico Race Course this afternoon, gamely holding off a challenge from 20-1 shot Immortal Eyes to win the eighth race of the card, the Maryland Sprint Handicap, by a half-length.
Trained by Bob Baffert, the towering colt was sent off as the 8-5 favorite in a field of nine based off of his many strong performances against high-quality graded stakes sprinters in California. Over a track that hasn't been turning in particularly fast times, Ventana helped set a blazing pace of :22.84 and :45.75. Despite these fractions, he took a narrow lead into the homestretch and appeared to be on his way to victory.
But suddenly, longshot Immortal Eyes appeared. He was charging into contention furiously on the outside and seemed ready to blow past Ventana with ease. But under Martin Garcia, Ventana battled back and courageously held off his stubborn rival to win the race in 1:09.88.
China made a mild rally for third, while Nathan's H Q completed the superfecta.
-Keelerman
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