Ax Man, a stakes winner at Pimlico last May, won for the third time in his career in an allowance race with an $80,000 claiming option in Friday's seventh race.

Ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, Ax Man ($6.20) disputed the pace with Calexman before taking a clear in early stretch. The multiple stakes winner Edwards Going Left closed from third to finish second in the field of six. 

Ax Man, trained by Bob Baffert for Hal and Patti Earnhardt, ran seven furlongs in1 :21.92. Ax Man won the Sir Barton Stakes for 3-year-olds at Pimlico last May, but lost his next three starts, including a 12th in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes at seven furlongs on Dec. 26.