Racing News

Laurel’s Saturday Feature Draws Quartet of Stakes Winners

Multiple G3 Placed Threes Over Deuces 8-5 Program Favorite
Trainer Magee, Apprentice Barbosa Register Friday Hat Tricks

BALTIMORE – Pocket 3’s Racing’s multiple Grade 3-placed Threes Over Deuces, scratched as the defending champion from the $100,000 Dave’s Friend Dec. 30, and fellow stakes winners Gagetown, Exculpatory and Indian Lake look to get the 2023 season off to a winning start in Saturday’s fourth-race feature at Laurel Park.

Nominations Close Saturday for 6 Stakes Jan. 21 with Purses Worth $550,000

Racing Returns This Weekend at Laurel
Friday Includes MSW, $54,000 Allowance               

BALTIMORE – Nominations close Saturday for six stakes at Laurel Park on January 21 with total purses worth $550,000.

The six stakes are:

Gonzalez, Toledo Repeat as Maryland Champions in 2022

Sixth Straight Year Leading Trainer Standings for Gonzalez
Journeyman Toledo Sets Career Highs in Wins, Purse Earnings
Rainbow 6, Late Pick 5 Carryovers for Friday, Jan. 6

BALTIMORE – Claudio Gonzalez and Jevian Toledo both enjoyed career highs as they defended their titles as the Maryland Jockey Club’s leading trainer and jockey in 2022.

Cruz, Barbosa Finish in Dead Heat for Fall Meet Riding Title

Russell Caps Historic Year with Third Leading Trainer Crown
Laurel Hosting Live Nine-Race New Year’s Day Program Sunday

BALTIMORE – Angel Cruz won twice on Saturday’s closing day program to tie his protégé, 19-year-old apprentice Jeiron Barbosa, and share Laurel Park’s fall meet riding title, while Brittany Russell capped her historic year by leading the trainer standings for a third time this year.

Toledo Completes Four-Win Day in $100,000 Robert Manfuso

Malibu Beauty Good-Looking Winner of $100,000 Carousel

BALTIMORE – Thomas Coulter’s Nimitz Class came with a steady run down the center of the track to reel in front-running Ain’t Da Beer Cold and edge clear by a half-length in Friday’s $100,000 Robert T. Manfuso Monday at Laurel Park, completing a four-win afternoon for jockey Jevian Toledo.

Coffeewithchris Brews Up 16-1 Upset in $100,000 Heft

Malibu Moonshine Stays Perfect with $100,000 Gin Talking Win

BALTIMORE – Coffeewithchris, making the eighth start of his rookie season, put away Grade 3-placed Full Moon Madness on the turn and held off favored Prince of Jericho through the stretch to spring a 16-1 upset in Friday’s $100,000 Heft at Laurel Park.

Laurel Set for Christmastide Stakes Day Program Friday

Six $100,000 Stakes, 2023 MJC Racing Calendar Giveaway
Friday Carryovers in Rainbow 6, Late Pick 5, Super Hi-5
Laurel Park to Honor Retiring Trainer Capuano Saturday

BALTIMORE – Delayed four days due to severe winter weather, Laurel Park will host six $100,000 stakes and a racing calendar giveaway Friday as part of its 11-race Christmastide Day program.

A total of 109 horses were entered on the card, which begins with a special early post time of 11:25 a.m.

With 2022 Winding Down, Brittany Russell on Verge of History

Laurel’s Fall Meet Leader Can Finish as Maryland’s Leading Trainer
Racing Returns Thursday

BALTIMORE – As 2022 draws to a close, Brittany Russell stands on the precipice of history.

Dale Capuano’s 41-Year Training Career Ending This Weekend

Winner of 3,661 Lifetime Races Retiring Following Dec. 31 Program

BALTIMORE – Starting with the new year, one era in Maryland racing is coming to an end while another is just beginning.

Dale Capuano is retiring following a 41-year career as one of the most successful trainers in Maryland history, effective Jan. 1. He is turning his 35-horse stable over to his nephew, Phillip Capuano, whose father is Dale Capuano’s younger brother, Gary, a well-established trainer in his own right also based in Maryland.

Christmastide Stakes Day Program Moved to Friday, Dec. 30

Eleven Races, Six $100,000 Stakes, Originally Scheduled for Dec. 26

BALTIMORE – Out of an abundance of caution, as a result of Winter Storm Elliott expected to bring gusty winds, arctic cold and threats of flash freezing to the Mid-Atlantic over the weekend, the Maryland Jockey Club has postponed its Christmastide Stakes Day program.