Las Vegas, NV -- The one-time Grade 1 Pimlico Special Stakes returns this Friday May 18th to Pimlico after a brief three year hiatus. Now a Grade 3 event, horses three years old and upward will go 1 3/16 miles in search of their share of the 300,000 purse.

The Pimlico Special has hosted some uber-quality talent in the past. Names like Seabiscuit, Citation, Assault, Whirlaway, Tom Fool, Cigar, Mineshaft, Real Quiet, and Invasor have all been a part of this storied event. It has attracted a quality field of 9 for race 12 on Pimlico's Friday card. Post time is 5:51 PM EDT.

Let's take a look at the 9 entries and the recent performances that brought them to this Grade 3 race.

Pimlico Special Stakes Race Favorites

Alternation - comes into this race on quite a role - three starts in 2012 with three wins including the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap last time out on April 14th, the Grade 2 Razorback Handicap on March 10th and the Essex Handicap on February 4th - all results at Oaklawn Park.

Hymn Book - won the Grade 1 Donn Handicap in impressive fashion over Mission Impazible but followed that up with an uninspiring fourth in the Oaklawn Handicap on April 14th. Before the Donn was a second in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile Handicap at Aqueduct in November and a win in the Firethorn Stakes at Belmont in October. Hymn Book is second choice but will need a tremendous race to prevail against this tough field.

Mission Impazible - Todd Pletcher trained Mission Impazible has strung together three straight second place finishes in the Grade 1 Clark Handicap in November, the Grade 1 Donn Handicap in February and most recently the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap on April 1st. Mission Impazible may be due for a win after the impressive runner-up finishes.

Remaining Field Entries

Toby's Corner - has a pair of seconds in two Grade 2 events in 2012 - the New Orleans Handicap last time out on April 1st and the General George Handicap in February at Laurel Park. Toby's Corner has placed in all eight career starts - four wins and four thirds.

Endorsement - was an expected Kentucky Derby starter as a three year old before injury halted that dream. Endorsement came back in a big way last time out - a win in the Grade 3 Texas Mile. He has now finished first or second in every career start but one - a seventh in his debut being the only blemish. He is a talent that could realistically be the victor on Friday.

Pimlico Special Stakes betting at Pimlico with OffTrackBetting.com

Nehro - finished fourth in the Belmont Stakes last year and then endured a long layoff. Nehro won an Allowance Optional Claiming race in his first start in eight month in February but followed that up with an uninspiring sixth in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap on April 14th.

Yawanna Twist - won an Allowance Optional Claiming race to end 2011 and started 2012 with a win in the Grade 2 General George Handicap at Laurel Park on February 20th and then posted a decent third in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap. Yawanna Twist is another solid entry that could contend Friday.

Eighttofasttocatch - has won four of his last seven starts - the Harrison E. Johnson Memorial Stakes, the Jennings Handicap and the Maryland Million Classic Stakes all at Laurel Park. The other three were fourth place finishes - the Action Stakes last time out, the Grade 2 General George Handicap and the Grade 2 Fayette Stakes. He has a staggering 33 career starts with 10 wins.

Cherokee Artist - seems to be peaking in 2012 with three starts - two wins and a second place finish. The wins came in Allowance Optional Claiming races and the second came in the Harrison E. Johnson Memorial Stakes on March 24th.

Pimlico Special Stakes Entries

Race 12 on Pimlico's Friday card with a Post Time of 5:51 PM.