The Grade III Chick Lang Stakes at Pimlico Race Course is a $150,000 sprint event for three-year-olds, contested over six furlongs on dirt. This race is a key feature on Preakness weekend, attracting promising young sprinters looking to establish themselves in the division.
Field Overview: Horses, Jockeys & Trainers
1. Slam Notion (Trainer: W. Robert Bailes | Jockey: J.G. Torrealba)
- Pedigree: Great Notion – Balestra
- Recent Form: Lightly raced but showing promise in allowance company.
- Analysis: A local Maryland-bred with tactical speed. Needs to prove he can handle the step up in class.
2. Chipotle (Trainer: Michael E. Gorham | Jockey: Raul E. Mena)
- Pedigree: Mitole – Clearwater
- Recent Form: Competitive in allowance races but untested in stakes company.
- Analysis: A sprinter with early speed but must show he can sustain it against tougher competition.
3. Ancient World (Trainer: Joe Sharp | Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz)
- Pedigree: Into Mischief – Thirteen Arrows
- Recent Form: 1st in an allowance race at Keeneland.
- Analysis: A well-bred colt with strong sprinting credentials. Could be a major player with a clean trip.
4. Normandy Coast (Trainer: Eddie Kenneally | Jockey: Luis Saez)
- Pedigree: Omaha Beach – Alliteration
- Recent Form: 1st in the Palisades Stakes at Keeneland.
- Analysis: A rising star with strong recent form. Likely to be one of the top contenders.
5. Tiny Lake (Trainer: Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon | Jockey: Tais Lyapustina)
- Pedigree: Omaha Beach – Escultura
- Recent Form: Lightly raced but showing improvement.
- Analysis: Needs to prove he can handle the class jump but has potential upside.
6. Keep It Easy (Trainer: Dale L. Romans | Jockey: Junior Alvarado)
- Pedigree: Hard Spun – Boxwood
- Recent Form: 2nd in an allowance race at Gulfstream Park.
- Analysis: A consistent performer with strong sprinting ability. Could be a factor with a well-timed move.
7. Faster Gator (Trainer: Anthony Farrior | Jockey: Arnaldo Bocachica)
- Pedigree: Vekoma – Comforter
- Recent Form: 1st in an allowance race at Laurel Park.
- Analysis: A lightly raced but promising sprinter. Could be a factor if he continues his upward trajectory.
8. One Nine Hundred (Trainer: Thomas Morley | Jockey: Flavien Prat)
- Pedigree: Dialed In – Hedonism
- Recent Form: 1st in a maiden special weight at Aqueduct.
- Analysis: A talented colt with strong early speed. Needs to prove he can handle stakes competition.
9. Perfect Force (Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas | Jockey: Nik Juarez)
- Pedigree: Gun Runner – Cuaba
- Recent Form: 5th in the Pat Day Mile (G2) at Churchill Downs.
- Analysis: A well-bred colt with graded stakes experience. Could be a major player if he returns to top form.
10. Touchy (Trainer: Wesley A. Ward | Jockey: Joel Rosario)
- Pedigree: Nyquist – Touch the Moon
- Recent Form: 1st in an allowance race at Keeneland.
- Analysis: A strong sprinter with tactical speed. Likely to be one of the top contenders.
11. Retribution (Trainer: Cherie DeVaux | Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.)
- Pedigree: Vekoma – Granny’s Drink
- Recent Form: 2nd in an allowance race at Gulfstream Park.
- Analysis: A lightly raced colt with potential upside. Needs to prove he can handle the step up in class.
Race Strategy & Predictions
- Pace Projection: Expect a fast early pace, with One Nine Hundred and Faster Gator likely to push forward.
- Key Contenders: Normandy Coast and Ancient World appear to be the strongest threats, with Perfect Force as a potential upset candidate.
- Potential Longshot: Keep It Easy has shown promise and could surprise with a well-timed move.
