Live Racing Returns to Laurel with Six Christmastide Day Stakes Dec. 26

BALTIMORE – Mopo Racing’s Alwaysinahurry came with a steady run through the stretch to complete a last-to-first rally in Sunday’s feature at Laurel Park and give trainer Dale Capuano his third consecutive victory on the program.

Sent off as the 6-5 favorite off his victory in the Howard and Sondra Bender Memorial against Maryland-bred/sired horses Nov. 25, Alwaysinahurry ($4.40) ran seven furlongs in 1:24.83 over a fast main track to win the open allowance by three-quarters of a length.

Going to the Lead lived up to his name and was sent to the front by jockey J.D. Acosta, leading through splits of 23.56 and 47.07 seconds. Alwaysinahurry raced between horses in a tight pack chasing the leader before getting shuffled back to last leaving the backstretch. Jockey Angel Cruz tipped to the outside and made a bold move on the far outside to get into contention before setting the 4-year-old Great Notion gelding down for the stretch drive.

Going to the Lead held off Yodel E. A. Who by a nose for second with 2021 Maryland Million Sprint winner Air Token fourth, followed by Dollarization and Fast Bob. Whiskey and You and Arthur’s Hope were scratched.

Capuano, 60, registered a natural hat trick winning with each of his three starters Sunday, starting with Taking Risks Stable and Louis Ulman’s 3-year-old Maryland-bred gelding Dolice Vita ($7.60) in Race 5 and 4-year-old Maryland-bred gelding Jackie A ($14) in Race 6. Jackie A is also owned by Mopo Racing, a partnership led by retired TV talk show host Maury Povich.

A native of Maryland who is the winningest trainer in Maryland Million history, Capuano owns 3,659 career victories since 1981.

Live racing returns to Laurel Park Monday, Dec. 26 with six $100,000 stakes on its Christmastide Day program - the Heft for 2-year-olds and Gin Talking for 2-year-old fillies, 1 1/8-mile Carousel and 6 ½-furlong Willa On the Move for fillies and mares 3 and up, and 1 1/16-mile Robert T. Manfuso and six-furlong Dave’s Friend for 3-year-olds and up. Post time will be 11:25 a.m.

Laurel will remain open for simulcasting Wednesday, Dec. 21 through Christmas Eve Saturday, Dec. 24, and will be closed Christmas Day.

Notes: Jockey Angel Cruz visited the winner’s circle three times Sunday with Glowsity ($7.20) in Race 1, Alwaysinahurry ($4.40) in Race 7 and Award Wanted ($31.60) in Race 8 … Jockey Carlos Lopez doubled aboard Clubman ($3.60) in Race 2 and Jackie A ($14) in Race 6 … Glowsity and Clubman are both trained by Jamie Ness … The fall meet’s leading rider, apprentice Jeiron Barbosa, turned 19 Sunday … There will be carryovers of $3,720.91 in the 20-cent Rainbow 6 and $1.775.01 in the $1 Super Hi-5 for Dec. 26. Tickets with five of six winners in Sunday’s Rainbow 6 were worth $147.70.