Racing News

Wondrwherecraigis to Launch Season in $100,000 Fire Plug

G3 Winner Hibiscus Punch Returns in $100,000 What a Summer

BALTIMORE – Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, The Elkstone Group and Bethlehem Stables’ Wondrwherecraigis, unraced since giving trainer Brittany Russell her first graded-stakes victory three months ago, will kick off his 5-year-old campaign at home in Saturday’s $100,000 Fire Plug at Laurel Park.

H P Moon Finds Comeback Spot in $100,000 Spectacular Bid

Stakes Winners Luna Belle, Buff My Boots Top $100,000 Xtra Heat

BALTIMORE – K E M Racing Stables and Five Hellions Farm’s well-regarded H P Moon, eye-catching winner of his lone start last summer, is set to launch his highly anticipated sophomore season Saturday in the $100,000 Spectacular Bid at Laurel Park.

Races on the Turf from Santa Anita & Gulfstream Highlight Stronach 5

Low 12-Percent Takeout

BALTIMORE – Turf races from Santa Anita Park and Gulfstream Park lead a competitive Stronach 5 Friday afternoon with a low 12-percent takeout.

The Stronach 5, which continues to offer a strong return on investment, will start at 4:16 ET and will also include races from Laurel Park and Golden Gate Fields.

Stakes Winner Joe Passes Two-Turn Test in Sophomore Debut

Second of Three Sunday Wins for Jockey Victor Carrasco
Rainbow 6, Super Hi-5 Carryovers for Thursday’s Live Program

BALTIMORE – The Elkstone Group’s homebred stakes winner Joe, racing for the first time around two turns in his 3-year-old debut, passed the test with aplomb in a popular 2 ½-length triumph in Sunday’s feature race at Laurel Park.

G3 Winner Hibiscus Punch Breezes Saturday for Return

7-Year-Old Mare Pointed to $100,000 What a Summer Jan. 29

BALTIMORE – Ed Seltzer and Beverly Anderson’s homebred mare Hibiscus Punch, upset winner of last winter’s Barbara Fritchie (G3), moved closer to her return to racing with a sharp five-furlong breeze Saturday at Laurel Park.

The 7-year-old daughter of Into Mischief, headed to the $100,000 What a Summer Jan. 29 at Laurel, was timed in 1:02.80 over a fast main track, ranking first of 15 horses. Regular rider Horacio Karamanos was aboard for the work.

Friday's Stronach 5 Returns $49,623

BALTIMORE – There were two winning tickets in Friday’s Stronach 5, each worth $49,623.90.

The Stronach 5 featured races from Laurel Park, Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park and Golden Gate Fields and a low 12 percent takeout.

The Stronach 5 began with the ninth and 10th races from Laurel Park, and both races were wide open and produced nice returns. Joe Mike Jim, trained by leading trainer Claudio Gonzalez, returned $17.20 in the ninth race and Edict, trained by Edward Allard, returned $9.80 for winning Race 10.

Stakes Winner Air Token Soars to Feature Race Triumph Friday

Rainbow 6, Super Hi-5 Carryovers for Saturday’s 10-Race Program

BALTIMORE – Air Token, the 2021 Maryland Million Sprint winner owned and trained by Jose Corrales, got an ideal stalking trip under jockey J.D. Acosta and powered to a five-length victory in Friday’s feature race at Laurel Park.

STATEMENT FROM 1/ST RACING REGARDING JOCKEY MYCHEL SANCHEZ

BALTIMORE (January 21, 2022) – “After learning of the serious allegations of illegal wagering on the part of jockey Mychel Sanchez, effective immediately 1/ST RACING will institute an indefinite ban against him from training or racing at any 1/ST RACING venue. Any decision regarding Sanchez’s reinstatement will be made at a later time. 1/ST RACING stands on the principles of integrity and accountability, and we believe there is no place in our sport for this kind of unethical and illegal activity.”

 

Juvenile Stakes Winner Joe Making Sophomore Debut Sunday

Colt Named for President Biden Entered in Two-Turn Allowance
Laurel Hosting First Two Legs of National Weekly Stronach 5 Friday

BALTIMORE – When The Elkstone Group homebred Joe captured the Maryland Juvenile Dec. 18 at Laurel Park, it provided founder Stuart Grant with an ideal Christmas gift to bestow the colt’s namesake, a longtime family friend who also calls Delaware home.

Friday's Stronach 5: Five Races, Four Tracks in Under 60 Minutes

Low 12-Percent Takeout

BALTIMORE – The Stronach 5 will feature competitive races Friday from Laurel Park, Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park and Golden Gate Fields along with a low 12-percent takeout.

The sequence will include an allowance optional claimer for 3-year-old fillies from Gulfstream and wide-open claiming events from Laurel, Santa Anita and Golden Gate.

The Stronach 5, which continues to offer a strong return on investment, will start at 3:55 with Races 9 and 10 from Laurel.