Black-Eyed Susan is delayed by Pimlico thunderstorm

Baltimore

The Grade 2, $300,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes was delayed Friday because of lightning and thunder near Pimlico and a severe-thunderstorm warning from the National Weather Service.

Post time was revised to 6:55 p.m. EDT, more than an hour late. The finale on the 14-race card, a five-furlong turf race for maidens, was canceled.

Click here for Pimlico entries and results.

A video notice and audio announcements at 5:19 p.m. EDT called for spectators to shelter in place in the grandstand. The infield was evacuated as the sky darkened and flashes of lightning were seen on the horizon.

Rain began shortly before the Pimlico Special, which was run and won by Awesome Aaron on a sealed track. By that time, trainers for the Black-Eyed Susan scheduled for 5:44 p.m. EDT had been told that their fillies would not be called to the paddock until the storm threat had passed.

By 5:40 p.m., the storm intensified as it moved from the grandstand side of Pimlico and over the track as the sky darkened. The rain had lightened to a drizzle, and at 6:10 p.m., it looked brighter.

The thunderstorm warning was put in effect through at least 6:15 p.m. with the Baltimore area under a storm watch until 10 p.m. Sunset is at 8:14 p.m., and Pimlico does not have lights.

Margie’s Intention was the Black-Eyed Susan’s 5-2 betting favorite at 5:50 p.m.