Top Sprinters Square Off in MD

A. P. Indian (Indian Charlie), one of the country's best sprinters of 2016, and Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect), who has emerged as a top one-turn runner this term, square off Saturday in the GIII Maryland Sprint S. at Pimlico. The former reeled off five stakes wins last season, including a pair of Grade I triumphs in Saratoga's Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. and Forego S. and culminating with a nose success in Keeneland's GII Phoenix S. in October. He was a somewhat dull fourth–eventually promoted to third–in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint out at Santa Anita Nov. 5, and settled for second going an extra panel in Keeneland's GIII Commonwealth S. Apr. 8. The 7-year-old was flattered when Commonwealth winner and third Awesome Slew (Awesome Again) and Limousine Liberal (Successful Appeal) made up the exacta in reverse order in the GII Churchill Downs S. two weeks ago. Whitmore, who knocked on the door going longer last year and competed in the GI Kentucky Derby, is four-for-four since cutting back and five-for-five overall at this six-furlong trip. He took Oaklawn's Hot Springs S. by six lengths two back, good for a career-best 104 Beyer Speed Figure and -2 1/2 Thoro-Graph sheet number–both career tops and just about in line with what A. P. Indian ran when on his game last term. The chestnut gelding came through easily at 1-2 odds in the GIII Count Fleet Sprint H. back in Arkansas Apr. 15. If someone else is to pull off an upset here, it seems most likely to be Holy Boss (Street Boss). Third in the Count Fleet, the 'TDN Rising Star' is fastest early on pace figures, and boasts a win over the strip–he annexed the Chick Lang S. convincingly on this card two years ago.