In a thrilling performance on the eve of the Preakness Stakes, Margie’s Intention made a powerful first impression for her new ownership, rallying late to claim the Grade 2 George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico. The three-year-old filly surged past frontrunner Paris Lily in the final strides, securing a convincing three-quarter-length win in the 1 1/8-mile feature event for sophomore fillies.
The prestigious race, now in its 101st edition, was the highlight of a stacked 13-race card on Friday, which included a total of six stakes races and over a million dollars in prize money. The event served as an exciting lead-up to Saturday’s milestone 150th running of the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel in the Triple Crown.
A severe storm swept through the area earlier in the day, delaying the Black-Eyed Susan by over an hour and ultimately forcing officials to cancel the final race of the program. Despite the disruption, Margie’s Intention thrived over the rain-soaked, sealed track, showing both grit and determination under the guidance of jockey Flavien Prat.
Sent off as the favorite at 5-2, Margie’s Intention settled mid-pack in the early stages of the race, trailing behind Paris Lily, who had assumed a clear lead by posting a brisk early pace. As the field turned for home, Prat angled his mount to the outside and began a sustained drive that gradually wore down the longtime leader. The final time for the race was 1:52.05.
This victory marked the filly’s first race outside of Louisiana-bred company. Previously campaigned by trainer Brendan Walsh, she had delivered a series of consistent efforts at the Fair Grounds, including two wins and two runner-up finishes from five starts. Her solid résumé and promising potential caught the attention of WinStar Farm, which purchased a controlling interest and placed her in the care of trainer Brad Cox.
Cox, who had already secured a win earlier on the card with Verifire, celebrated his second career victory in the Black-Eyed Susan, having previously won it in 2022. Reflecting on the filly’s performance, Cox noted that the extra distance played to her strengths and praised her ability to finish strongly, particularly on the challenging surface.
Co-owner Elliott Walden of WinStar Farm spoke highly of Margie’s Intention’s potential and detailed the thought process behind acquiring her. He credited racing data analyst Jerry Brown for flagging the filly and emphasized that the team believed she would benefit from time off between races. Their decision was validated by Friday’s performance, as she proved her ability to compete at the highest level beyond the Louisiana circuit.
Flavien Prat, who piloted Margie’s Intention to victory, admitted there were moments of uncertainty in the stretch, especially with Paris Lily setting a strong pace. But as the race unfolded, he felt confident in his filly’s steady progress and praised her for maintaining momentum in the final furlong.
Paris Lily, who led nearly the entire race, held on gamely to finish second, a commendable effort in just her second graded stakes appearance. Trainer Brendan Walsh and jockey Joel Rosario were both pleased with her performance, noting she simply ran out of gas in the final strides.
Kinzie Queen rounded out the top three, delivering a strong late bid that added valuable black-type to her resume. Trainer Greg Compton expressed satisfaction with her effort, highlighting her continued progress and potential value as a broodmare prospect.
The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, a race with deep historical significance, was first run in 1919 and renamed in 1951 to honor Maryland’s state flower and the Preakness. It has crowned several legendary fillies over the years, including future Hall of Famers and champions, and Friday’s edition added another chapter to its storied legacy.
With this win, Margie’s Intention has firmly positioned herself as a contender worth watching in the second half of the season. Her connections will now turn their attention to her recovery and plan her next move carefully, with plenty of options ahead. For now, she returns to Kentucky with a Grade 2 win under her belt—and the promise of even more to come.
