Black-Eyed Susan Stakes 2014: Post Positions, Field and Race Preview

Before California Chrome looks to add the second jewel of horse racing's Triple Crown, an 11-horse field will provide an appetizer to the main course at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.

Though it is positioned as a complement to the Preakness Stakes, the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes has become a spectacle itself.

The race takes place Friday, May 16 at 4:47 p.m. ET.

It includes a field of elite three-year-old fillies. As usual, some of the top trainers in the sport are well represented in this race.

Here's a look at the confirmed horses, their post positions and trainers. Just below the table is a list of three horses to watch in the race.

Post	Horse	Trainer
1	Joint Return	John C. Servis
2	America	William Mott
3	Shanon Nicole	Michael J. Maker
4	Stopchargingmaria	Todd A. Pletcher
5	Euphrosyne	Steve Asmussen
6	Arethusa	Eoin Harty
7	La Mejor Fiesta	Wesley A. Ward
8	Sloane Square	Todd A. Pletcher
9	Fortune Pearl	H. Graham Motion
10	Vero Amore	Robert E. Reid Jr.
11	Image of Anna	Richard A. Violette Jr.

Joint Return

John C. Servis' horse isn't the favorite to win the Black-Eyed Susan, but don't sleep on her come Friday.

Per Tom LaMarra of Bloodhorse, Joint Return's odds are set at 15-1. The horse has great talent but hasn't been consistent over the past few months.

Sandwiched between wins at the Busher Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack in January and the Calder Oaks at Calder Casino & Race Course, Joint Return finished fifth at the Gulfstream Park Oaks.

The latter was a Grade II race, just as the Black-Eyed Susan will be. Can Joint Return up her game this time around?

Per LaMarra, Servis believes Joint Return is capable of more than she showed.

"

I’m looking forward to this race, big-time. She has run well against some decent fillies. The only time she ran against real quality fillies was at Gulfstream, and she didn’t show up. I’m anxious to see how she performs this week against the better fillies.

"

We'll see if she can step up at Pimlico.

Stopchargingmaria

After winning the Demoiselle in November 2013, Stopchargingmaria looked on pace to make some noise on the G2 circuit.

It was her third win in 2013. In 2014, things haven't gone as well.

A fourth- and fifth-place finish has dulled the shine a bit. She's one of two Todd A. Pletcher horses in the field. The legendary trainer seems intent on getting the horse back on track.

Per Marty McGee of Daily Racing Form, Pletcher said:

She [Stropchargingmaria] "is a filly we’re trying to get back in form. We feel like the way she’s training, that she’s indicated she can get back to the way she ran in the Tempted and Demoiselle last year.”

Many of the horses set to run have similar stories. The winner will be the one who is able to find the elements of talent that led to their better performances.

Unfortunately, not all the conversation will be on the races.

Euphrosyne 

Trainer Steve Asmussen has come under fire after an undercover PETA agent found fault with his team's handling of animals in his stable.

Asmussen's fellow trainers have come to his defense amid the firestorm. Per Gregory A. Hall of USA Today, Churchill-based trainer Paul McGee said: 

"I've always thought for as big of an outfit as he has, his horses always look exceptionally good, and Steve's obviously a very hard worker."

Despite the ringing endorsement from a peer, any horse Asmussen brings to a high-profile race will be looked at with a watchful eye.

Euphrosyne may not win or factor in the result, but she'll be wrapped up in the conversation about the PETA investigation.