Racing News

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.

First-Time Starters Featured in Thursday Maiden Special Weight

Live 10-Race Card Scheduled to Begin at 12:10 P.M.

BALTIMORE – Live racing is scheduled to return to Laurel Park Thursday with first-time starters from trainers Brittany Russell, Michael Merryman, Jose Corrales and two from Dale Bennett squaring off in the featured maiden special weight.

Post time for the first of 10 races is 12:10 p.m.

MJC Cancels Monday's Live Program at Laurel Park

Live Racing Scheduled to Return Thursday, Jan. 20

BALTIMORE – The Maryland Jockey Club canceled Monday’s special 10-race Martin Luther King Jr. holiday program due to lingering effects of a winter storm that brought snow, sleet and freezing rain to the region overnight.

Laurel, Rosecroft Raceway and the MJC OTB Network remain open for simulcasting.

Teenage Sensation Marquez Finalist for Champion Apprentice

Hiraldo, 35-Time Winner in Maryland Last Year, Also in Top Three
10-Race Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Program Scheduled Monday

BALTIMORE – Teenage sensation Charlie Marquez, Maryland’s second-leading rider by wins and purse earnings last year, is among three finalists for the Eclipse Award as champion apprentice jockey of 2021.

Quintet of Stakes Winners Among 24 Noms to $100,000 Spectacular Bid

Seven-Furlong Sprint First Stakes for 3-Year-Olds on Maryland Calendar
Total of Six Stakes Worth $550,000 in Purses on Saturday, Jan. 29 Program
Live Programs Scheduled for Sunday, Martin Luther King Holiday Monday