Ventana would not be denied in the Maryland Sprint (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com)

Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram and Paul Weitman's VENTANA (Toccet) hadn't visited the winner's circle since taking last year's Potrero Grande H. (G2) at Santa Anita, but on Saturday gutted out a neck victory under Martin Garcia to add the $100,000 Maryland Sprint H. (G3) to his resume. The bay horse hooked up with Immortal Eyes (Greatness) in the stretch, saw that one begin to inch away, but dug in and prevailed in a final time of 1:09 4/5 for six furlongs on the fast main track at Pimlico.

Ventana was a head back of Delong Road (Storm Cat) through the opening split of :22 4/5, but had taken command before reaching a half-mile in :45 3/5 with Immortal Eyes following in third on the outside. Delong Road began backing up but Immortal Eyes wouldn't quit, ranging up to challenge Ventana through five furlongs in :57 2/5. He grabbed a slim advantage in the stretch run, but Ventana fought back on the outside to take the win and return $5.20, $3.40 and $2.80 as the 8-5 favorite.

Immortal Eyes just missed the victory, but had 5 1/4 lengths to spare over China (Tale of the Cat), who in turn held Nathan's H Q (Yonaguska) by a half-length on the wire. Heritage Hall (Unbridled's Song), Delong Road, Safety Check (Empire Maker), My Cuz C J (Orientate) and Gattopardo (Johannesburg) completed the order under the wire.

Ventana earned his second stakes score in this spot but also owns four stakes placings that include the 2008 Hollywood Prevue S. (G3) and the 2010 runnings of the San Carlos H. (G2) and Palos Verdes H. (G2). The Bob Baffert-trained five-year-old entered this one off a third as the defending champion of the Potrero Grande, and now boasts a 19-4-4-3, $366,002, record.