Alternation rallied past pace-setting Endorsement and held off a tremendous late run from Nehro to win the $300,000 Pimlico Special Stakes (gr. III) this afternoon at Pimlico race course.
Ridden to victory by Luis Quinonez, Alternation settled into the third position early on in a field of nine as Endorsement led the way through quick fractions of :23.60 and :46.88. Yawanna Twist was racing in second, with Toby's Corner down along the rail in fourth. Cherokee Artist and Eighttofasttocatch were next in the field, while Mission Impazible, Nehro, and Hymn Book were the early trailers.
The positions remained relatively unchanges down the backstretch and around the far turn, with Endorsement continuing to show the way while racing strongly. However, Alternation and Mission Impazible were in the process of unleashing strong bids on the far outside, and as the field entered the homestretch, Alternation loomed up to challenge Endorsement for the lead. The two colts battled gamely through much of the stretch, with Alternation coming away with a narrow lead close to the finish.
Then Nehro came with his bid on the far outside, charging furiously under Corey Nakatani. The pair hit the wire together, and while it appeared as though Nehro might have gotten up for the victory, the photo finish revealed Alternation as the winner by a nose.
The final time for the 1 3/16th miles race was 1:57.60. Endorsement held on for third, while Mission Impazible, Hymn Book, Yawanna Twist, Toby's Corner, Cherokee Artist, and Eighttofasttocatch completed the order of finish.
The winner, who is now a perfect 4-for-4 in 2012, is owned by Pin Oak Stable and trained by Donnie Von Hemel.
-Keelerman
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