Racing News

Heritage Meet Leading Trainer Going Down to Wire

Ness Leads Russell by Two Wins Entering Final Weekend
Laurel Doors Open at 8:30 A.M. Saturday for Dubai WC
Nominations Close Saturday for Four $100K Stakes April 13

BALTIMORE – While Jaime Rodriguez has already secured Laurel Park’s winter Heritage Meet riding title, the race for leading trainer is still very much up for grabs entering the final weekend.

Laurel will host 10-race programs Friday and Saturday to close the 34-day stand, which began Jan. 5. Post time both days is 12:25 p.m.

Jockey Jaime Rodriguez Notches Four-Win Day Sunday

Puerto Rico Native Clinches Winter Heritage Meet Title

BALTIMORE – With two racing days left in the calendar year-opening Heritage Meet, jockey Jaime Rodriguez further cemented his hold as leading rider with a four-win afternoon Sunday at Laurel Park.

Rodriguez, 32, finished first with Black Ice ($3.60) in Race 4, Dust Devil ($3.60) in Race 5, Lady Zeta ($3.40) in Race 8 and The Judge and Jury ($9.60) in Race 9 to give him 46 wins for meet, 18 more than runner-up Jeiron Barbosa, who won twice Sunday.

Copper Tax Returns a Winner in $100,000 Private Terms

Determined Driver Easy Winner of $100,000 Beyond the Wire

BALTIMORE – Rose Petal Stable’s Copper Tax rediscovered his winning form in his return to Laurel Park, coming with a relentless drive through the stretch and emerge from a three-way photo finish a neck ahead of Inveigled in Saturday’s $100,000 Private Terms.

Speed Runner Represents Pletcher in Saturday’s Private Terms

Laurel-Loving Inveigled Narrow Favorite in Wide-Open 3YO Race

BALTIMORE – Spreading out his talented group of 3-year-olds in prep races around the country, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher lands at Laurel Park with Whisper Hill Farm’s Triple Crown-nominated homebred Speed Runner for Saturday’s $100,000 Private Terms.

Speedyness Takes Win Streak Into $100,000 Private Terms

Quick Turnaround for Aoife’s Magic in $100,000 Beyond the Wire

BALTIMORE – Morris Kernan Jr. and Jagger Inc.’s Speedyness, an aptly named front-running winner of his last two starts, chases his third consecutive victory and second straight in a stakes in Saturday’s $100,000 Private Terms at Laurel Park.

MEDIA ADVISORY

Entries Welcome for Woods, Frutkoff Preakness Awards
Television, Multimedia Submissions Accepted for First Time

BALTIMORE – The Maryland Jockey Club announced today it is accepting entries for the David F. Woods Memorial Award, presented for the best Preakness story from 2023, and the Jerry Frutkoff Photography Award, presented to the photographer of the best Preakness image from 2023.

For the first time, the David F. Woods Memorial Award will include television and multimedia submissions.

Shaft’s Bullet Fires Big in $100,000 Harrison E. Johnson

Take a Hint Changes Tactics to Win $75,000 Not For Love
Too Many Kisses Up in Time to Capture $75,000 Conniver

BALTIMORE – Paul Fowler Jr.’s Shaft’s Bullet, unhurried in the early going, made a bold move on the far turn under jockey Carlos Lopez and opened up once straightened for home to register a four-length triumph over a trio of seasoned stakes winners in Saturday’s $100,000 Harrison E. Johnson Memorial at Laurel Park.

Apprentice Christian Maldonado Rides First Winner Friday

Golden Tabby Seeking Stakes Success in $75,000 Conniver
Second of Three Stakes Worth $250,000 on Saturday Program

BALTIMORE – No More Mask, owned and trained by Jose Corrales, shook off pace pressure from Fancy Princess and pulled clear through the stretch to give 10-pound apprentice Christian Maldonado his first career riding victory Friday at Laurel Park.

THE STRONACH GROUP AND THE MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB STATEMENT

BALTIMORE – The Stronach Group and The Maryland Jockey Club issued the following statement from Craig Fravel, Executive Vice-Chairman, 1/ST RACING & GAMING.

Red-Hot Rominski Chasing Stakes Win in Not For Love

 

Nine on Tap as Live Racing Returns to Laurel Park Friday

BALTIMORE – Timothy Hopkins’ Rominski, riding a three-race win streak, chases a fourth straight victory while stepping up into stakes company for the first time in the $75,000 Not For Love Saturday at Laurel Park.