BALTIMORE -- A failure in Japan, a loser in California and an also-ran in Houston, Student Council finally experienced success on a muddy track in Maryland.

Student Council, a 6-year-old colt, went five wide on the final turn and surged past Gottcha Gold down the stretch for a surprise victory yesterday in the revived Pimlico Special.

Going off at 7-1, Student Council trailed the entire race before rallying under jockey Shaun Bridgmohan to win the $250,000 Grade 1 race by a neck. It was Bridgmohan's first ride on Student Council, who finished eighth, fifth, sixth and seventh since his previous victory Sept. 29.

Student Council joined an esteemed list of past winners of the Pimlico Special that includes War Admiral, Seabiscuit, Whirlaway, Citation and Cigar. The race was not held last year because of a shortage of purse money in Maryland.

Also yesterday, Sweet Vendetta closed strongly to win the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths over Shes All Eltish. Seattle Smooth was third, and post-time favorite Bsharpsonata faded badly and finished last in the eight-horse field of 3-year-old fillies. Sweet Vendetta has won two in a row and three of four races this year.

A steroids test for filly Eight Belles has come back negative. The Kentucky Horse Racing Authority announced that test results showed no traces of steroids in the filly, who was euthanized moments after finishing second to Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby May 3 after both ankles in her front legs were broken.

The scratch of Behindatthebar due to a bruised foot reduced the Preakness field to 12. The revised post positions could be good news for Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown and Hey Byrn.

Behindatthebar had post No. 5, so every horse to his outside moves in one slot. Big Brown slides into No. 6, the stall from which a record 15 Preakness winners have started since post position records were first kept in 1909.

Hey Byrn, the outside horse in the starting gate, shifts to post No. 12.