Two hours earlier, the trailer, pick-up, Mine that Bird, groom Charlie Figueroa, and Woolley had pulled into Pimlico with a police escort. Their trip from Churchill Downs began about 9 a.m. Tuesday, and some 20 miles from the their destination, Woolley saw the police cars waiting to lead him into town. He slowed, flashed his lights, and fell into the procession.

"I told all the media, 'First time the police came and I didn't end up in jail,' " Woolley said.

Top riders in challenge
Eight of the nation's premier riders, including two-time Eclipse Award winner Garrett Gomez, will compete in the inaugural Jockey Challenge at Pimlico on Friday, part of the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes day.

Kent Desormeaux, whose career first blossomed in Maryland two decades ago, will also compete, as will Rafael Bejarano, Javier Castellano, Ramon Dominguez, Julien Leparoux, Mario Pino, and Mike Smith. Castellano and Smith replace Edgar Prado and John Velazquez, who were among the original eight slated to compete, but who bowed out this week because they have obligations that day at Belmont Park.

The riders will compete in four races - the third, fifth, seventh, and 10th - on the 13-race card. Points will be awarded to the first four finishers in each race, and the rider with the most points will receive $14,000. There are smaller cash prizes for the remaining seven spots.

The Maryland Jockey Club, which owns Pimlico, teamed up with the Jockeys' Guild for the event. The MJC will make a $5,000 contribution to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

The jockeys will sign autographs in the morning concurrent with a handicapping seminar, sponsored by Daily Racing Form, that will feature columnist Andrew Beyer.

The Black-Eyed Susan card usually includes the Pimlico Special, but that historic race was canceled this year because of budgetary concerns.

Maybe Jon Vee And Prado Got Something Hot Fri At Belmont