Pimlico Special

Eddington has blossomed this year (Michael J. Marten/Horsephotos.com)

Willmott Stables' EDDINGTON (Unbridled) proved much the best in the $500,000

Pimlico Special H. (G1) on Friday when the four-year-old colt won the 1 3/16-mile

event by daylight lengths. Conditioned by Mark Hennig, the chestnut waited

patiently under Eibar Coa in the early going as Presidential Affair (Not for

Love) opened up the contest leading through fractions of :23 1/4, :46 2/5 and

1:11 4/5. Eddington took control in midstretch and improved his advantage to 5

1/4 lengths by the time he hit the wire in 1:58 over a sloppy track.

"In the stretch he just had another gear," Coa said. "Everybody saw how he

finished."

Eddington paid $7.20, $4, and $2.80 for the win at 5-2 while Pollard's Vision

(Carson City) closed late to gain second place at 5-1, paying $5.60 and $3.80.

Presidential Affair held on for third, returning $3.40 at 4-1. Exotics paid $36

(exacta) and $186.60 (trifecta). Funny Cide (Distorted Humor) ended the 5-4-6-2

superfecta ($1) which returned $323.20.

Eurosilver (Unbridled's Song) crossed the wire next and was followed by Offlee Wild

(Wild Again). Grand Reward (Storm Cat) was pulled up and did not finish. Badge of Silver (Silver Deputy)

scratched due to the weather conditions and Second of June (Louis Quatorze) was

forced to remain at Churchill Downs due to a quarantine for equine herpes virus.

Eddington improves his record to 17-6-3-6 and becomes racing's newest millionaire

with earnings of $1,216,760. He was purchased by his connections for $450,000 at

the 2002 Keeneland Yearling Sale.