Watershed after Special performance

Watershed goes for a second straight G3 success in the Pimlico Special (14.39hrs local time) at Pimlico, USA, on Friday, May 19. 

Now run as an extended nine-furlong handicap on dirt, the race boasts an outstanding roll of honour with previous winners including War Admiral and Seabiscuit, plus Dubai World Cup scorers Cigar and Invasor. 

Five-year-old Watershed, trained by Invasor’s handler Kiaran McLaughlin and ridden by Paco Lopez, ran on well for a first Graded victory in the Ben Ali Stakes over nine furlongs on dirt at Keeneland on April 15. 

The Bernardini horse came home ninth in a blanket finish when racing on turf for the first time in the 11-furlong G2 Mac Diarmida Stakes at Gulfstream Park on March 4, and started 2017 well with a decisive win on dirt in a Gulfstream Park allowance optional claimer over an extended mile in January.

Watershed’s nine rivals on Fiday include Shaman Ghost, who has gained two G1 victories including when beating Mubtaahij and Frosted in last year’s Woodward Stakes.

Kiaran McLaughlin said: “Watershed’s last two races on dirt were excellent. This is a tougher spot but he couldn’t be doing better. 

“We feel like he is improving and he also likes going two turns, which this race is. 

“A lot of nice horses have won this race and hopefully it can launch us onto G1 races later in the summer.