Ruler On Ice, J W Blue among field of 7 in today's Tesio Stakes at Pimlico

Archbishop Spalding's Nairn joins roster for D.C. United Women

Pimlico Race Course

Ruler On Ice, J W Blue among field of 7 in Tesio Stakes

Seven promising 3-year-olds with possible Preakness dreams will duel in today's $75,000 Federico Tesio Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. Ruler On Ice and J W Blue are the one-two program selections in the 11/16-mile race. Ruler On Ice is a front-runner, and J W Blue has started off slowly in his past four races. Ruler On Ice (2-1) reaches Baltimore after starts at Aqueduct, Parx Racing and Sunland Park this year, including an allowance victory and a closing third in the Sunland Derby (Grade III). Jose Valdivia, who was aboard for all three starts, keeps the ride for trainer Kelly Breen. Breen entered Ruler on Ice in the Kentucky Derby, but the son of Roman Ruler ranked 22nd on the graded earnings list and did not make the field. J W Blue (5-2) wintered at Oaklawn Park, where he finished fifth and sixth in the Grade II Rebel and the Grade I Arkansas Derby, respectively. Joe Rocco Jr. has ridden the Tony Dutrow trainee in his past four starts. Dutrow won last year's Tesio with Bank the Eight. Iscar (5-1) comes into the Tesio on a two-race winning streak, breaking his maiden at Aqueduct and then taking an allowance race at Parx Racing. The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee is a son of Bernardini, the 2006 Preakness winner. Erick Rodriguez has the riding assignment. Speedy Moonlite Grinder (5-1) rides a three-race win streak into Saturday's feature, two at Parx and one at Penn National. Angel Rodriguez rides for trainer Bernie Houghton, a former racing official with the Maryland Jockey Club. Concealed Identity (6-1) won the Maryland Juvenile Championship in December and broke a three-race off the board streak with an allowance score here April 15 at the Tesio distance. Eddie Gaudet trains the Smarty Jones gelding. Sheldon Russell rides him again. The infield will be open for the Preakness Prep Infield Party from noon to 6p.m. with concerts by The Plain White T's and Sons of the Radio in the beer garden. Tickets for the concert are $30, including a bottomless mug for those 21 and over. Unlimited soda and water will be available for all ages.

Et cetera

Spalding's Nairn joins roster for D.C. United Women debut

Christine Nairn (Archbishop Spalding), who narrowly missed out on a final roster spot for the U.S. women's national team for this summer's World Cup in Germany, earned a spot on D.C. United Women, the club announced. Nairn played her entire youth club soccer career with Freestate Soccer Club and is a veteran of the U.S. youth soccer national team programs. Joining Nairn in the first-ever signings for the new club are Jerica DeWolfe, Danielle Malagari and Tiffany Brown. The team is scheduled to hold its second and third round of tryouts today and next Saturday at the Maryland SoccerPlex (field 18), from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

D.C. United: The club will launch a D.C. United Under-23 team featuring top college players. Coached by former United star Jaime Moreno, the team will compete against Major League Soccer Reserve sides and select USL Premier Development League organizations from May 24 through late July. … United will hold tryouts for the 2011-2012 Academy Under-14, 15, 16 and 18 teams between May 16 and July 20. Training sessions are held three to four times per week, and teams are coached by USSF-licensed coaches, former United players and former college standouts. Players wishing to try out must submit or fax the appropriate registration forms on dcunited.com/academy. For more information, call D.C. United youth development coordinator Junior Castro at 202-587-5498. Each session will be held on the RFK Stadium turf field, directly adjacent to RFK Stadium in Washington.