Special Day for Mineshaft?

After a one-year absence, the $600,000 Pimlico Special is back -- at a different place on the track’s calendar.

Run in the past on the Saturday between the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, the Grade I now shares a card with the $200,000 Black Eyed Susan, a Grade II for 3-year-old fillies.

Mineshaft, owned by a partnership that includes William Farish and trained by Neil Howard, is the likely favorite in the 1 3/16-mile race.

The 4-year-old son of A.P. Indy is on a roll. Mineshaft has won two in a row -- by a combined 12 1/2 lengths -- and has lost only once in six starts since arriving in the United States late last year.

All of his races here have been on the main track after he won only once in seven starts on the turf in England and France.

Mineshaft will be ridden by Robby Albarado against eight opponents. Western Pride, winner of the San Bernardino Handicap in his return after nearly a year off, is in from California and will be ridden by Patrick Valenzuela.

Except for longshot Judge’s Case, the horses in the Special all are newcomers to Pimlico.

A 6-year-old gray gelding, Judge’s Case has a win and a third in two races at the Maryland track.

Race of the day: Santa Catarina, who was second to longshot Bird Town in the Kentucky Oaks two weeks ago, bounces back in the Black Eyed Susan. A 1 1/8-mile race, it also attracted Austin’s Mom, Roar Emotion, Lets Just Do It, Blushing Valleys, Ivanavinalot, Grace Bay, Fircroft and Xtra Heart.

One for the road: Abreeze, whose two victories at Belmont Park last year included a 12-length romp on June 14, should be primed for trainer Kieran McLaughlin in today’s eighth. The 8-year-old gelding will be ridden by Richard Migliore, who was aboard for all three of his victories in 2002.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Cantaloupe, Lucky Spirit and Surprisingly in the third, singling Yazor in the fourth and Tactical Allusion, Stocks Are Rising, White Bronco and Prenuptual Deal in the fifth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/42. Money: Previous day/meet total: $15.20/$230.80. Total money bet: $292.