Optimizer using Preakness to prepare for Belmont Stakes

"This is the best female jockey challenge, not only that I've ever been in, but probably one of the best female jockey challenges there's ever been," said Napravnik, who became the first woman ever to win the Kentucky Oaks. "It's fun to get together with the girls that really have been successful, and it's great to be included in what they call the elite riders in the country."

In addition to the challenge, the Lady Legends for the Cure III race will return for its third year.

Mary Wiley-Wagner, a breast cancer survivor, won the race by six and a half lengths riding Mass Destruction a year ago just 18 months after finishing her final chemotherapy treatment.

Friday will be the third "People's Pink Party," a joint effort between Pimlico and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world's largest breast cancer organization.

Seventy five percent of the profits will go to the Komen Maryland affiliate for use in community outreach programs in Maryland, while the remaining quarter will be donated to breast cancer research.

[e-mail]

Baltimore Sun staff writers Sandra McKee and Chris Korman contributed to this article.