Laurel Park-Based G3 Winner Drew Post 11 of 14 in $2M Sprint
Doors Open at 8:45 A.M. Saturday for Dubai World Cup Card
Toledo, Robb Chasing Titles as Winter Meet Enters Final Weekend

BALTIMORE – Michael Dubb, The Elkstone Group, Madaket Stables and Bethlehem Stables’ Laurel Park-based multiple stakes winner Wondrwherecraigis has settled in at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai ahead of his biggest assignment to date in Saturday’s $2 million Golden Shaheen (G1).

Winner of the six-furlong Fire Plug Jan. 29 at Laurel in his most recent start off a three-month layoff, Wondrwhereraigis left for Dubai March 13 in the care of assistant trainer Amanda Olds. Traveling without their two young children, trainer Brittany Russell and her husband, champion Maryland jockey Sheldon Russell, arrived in Dubai Wednesday.

“It’s amazing. It’s really nice. So far it’s been wonderful,” Brittany Russell said. “I used to be a very good traveling assistant, but since I stopped doing that maybe not so much. Leaving the kids was hard, but Dubai is amazing and this is the experience of a lifetime so we’re going to enjoy it.”

Russell, 32, has been impressed with how well Wondrwherecraigis has adjusted to his new surroundings.

“There’s so much that goes into how they travel and all those things. I think sometimes we want to talk ourselves into saying they’re doing well because they kind of need to be doing well, but I genuinely believe he is doing well,” she added. “He seems very happy. He hasn’t missed an oat, he’s drinking well, the heat doesn’t seem to bother him – all those little things I think go a long way. I guess we won’t know until race day.”

Jockey Luis Saez, who won the 2021 Dubai World Cup (G1) aboard Mystic Guide, will ride Wondrwherecragis in the six-furlong Golden Shaheen. Saez was aboard for the 5-year-old gelding’s front-running triumph in the 2021 Tale of the Cat at Saratoga.

Wondrwherecraigis drew Post 11 in a field of 14 and is co-fourth choice on the morning line at 8-1 with Red le Zele from Japan. The 3-1 program favorite is Dr. Schivel, with fellow Grade 1 winner Drain the Clock next at 5-1 and Meydan-based Group 3 winner Meraas at 7-1.

“It’s huge. It’s one of the biggest positive-type things we have on our side,” Russell said of Saez. “He’s been high on this horse for a long time. He’s excited to ride this horse. He’s 8-1 but I believe he’s live, just with the confidence that Luis gives us. That goes a long way.”

Wondrwherecraigis has finished first in five consecutive races, a streak that began last July at historic Pimlico Race Course, but was disqualified to second for interference in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (G3) at Laurel. He earned the first graded win for himself and his trainer next out in the Bold Ruler (G3) at Belmont Park.

“Craig’s fantastic. Everything about Craig is good. Knock on wood, he’s well. He enjoys traveling. He seems to enjoy a change of scenery and he’s doing well. Amanda has done a great job with him. He’s galloping and she’s been holding him together. He’s been on the bridle, so that’s sort of all you can ask,” Russell said. “Hopefully all the pieces kind of lay right by Saturday.”

Laurel will open its doors at 8:45 a.m. Saturday to allow fans to watch and wager on the Dubai World Cup Day program starting with Race 3, the Dubai Gold Cup (G2), which has a post time of 8:55 a.m. EST. Coverage includes the Golden Shaheen in Race 6 (10:45 a.m.) and ends with the Dubai World Cup in Race 9 (12:30 p.m.).

Toledo, Robb Chasing Titles as Winter Meet Enters Final Weekend

Jockey Jevian Toledo and trainer John ‘Jerry’ Robb lead their respective standings as Laurel Park enters closing weekend of its 2021 winter meet.

Toledo, 27, has a nine-win edge over apprentice Jean Alvelo, 36-29, in the race for leading rider. Toledo also has $1.22 million in purse earnings, second to Victor Carrasco ($1.28 million). Carrasco is third with 24 wins, followed by Jaime Rodriguez (22) and Xavier Perez (20).

A native of Puerto Rico and winner of more than 1,200 races, Toledo is coming off a 2021 season where he led all Maryland jockeys in wins for the third time in his career, and captured Laurel’s calendar year-ending fall stand. He has two stakes wins during the winter meet – Wondrwherecraigis in the Jan. 29 Fire Plug and Brittany Russell-trained stablemate Whereshetoldmetogo in the March 19 Not For Love.

The 69-year-old Robb is tops with 22 wins and $845,323 in purse earnings from 62 starters including Fille d’Esprit in the March 19 Conniver. Claudio Gonzalez, Maryland’s leading trainer by wins since 2017, is second with 21 wins while Jamie Ness is in striking distance with 19 wins.

Robb is seeking his first training title since sharing the 2018 Pimlico crown with Mary Eppler and Kieron Magee. A winner of more than 2,000 races, he previously led Laurel’s 2009 spring, 2004 winter and 2003 spring standings.

Ness’ Jagger Inc. is tied with Lugamo Racing Stable for leading owner with seven wins. Robb’s No Guts No Glory Farm is second with six wins. Robb and Perez have teamed up for 20 wins from 54 starts (37 percent), while Rodriguez and Ness are 16-for-59 (27 percent).

Laurel will play host to 10 races Friday and Saturday. Friday’s feature comes in Race 7, a second-level optional claiming allowance for fillies and mares 4 and up sprinting six furlongs where Response Time goes after her fourth consecutive win. Race 8 is an optional claiming allowance for 3-year-olds and about 1 1/16 miles that drew 10 horses including Heffner, third last out in the Feb. 19 Miracle Wood.

Saturday’s card includes a third-level optional claiming allowance for 4-year-olds and up going 1 1/8 miles that features Treasure Trove, fifth by less than a length in the 2021 Ben Ali (G3); Dixie Drawl, third in the 2021 Harrison Johnson Memorial making his second start in eight months; Money Ride, on a two-race win streak; and 16-time career winner Bobby G.

Saturday also marks the return of Larry Rabold’s Excellorator, unraced since being disqualified from first to second for drifting out in the stretch of the 2021 Federico Tesio at Pimlico. The 4-year-old son of 2013 Florida Derby (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Orb was claimed for $62,500 out of a Laurel win last February and ran third in the Private Terms a month later in his first start for trainer Hugh McMahon.

Toledo is named in four races Friday and five Saturday, while Alvelo has 13 mounts over the same span. Robb has three horses entered in two races Friday and one entry Saturday. Gonzalez has seven horses entered in five races Friday and four horses in three races Saturday.