LAUREL, MD—Four weeks ago at Colonial Downs, trainer Brittany Russell and her husband, jockey Sheldon Russell, unveiled Supercruiser, who powered down the center of the turf course to win his debut against a more-experienced even-money favorite.
In Friday’s co-featured eighth race at Laurel Park, a $48,000 allowance for Maryland-bred or -sired 3-year-olds and up at 5 ½ furlongs on the All Along Turf Course, Supercruiser delivered a carbon-copy performance, this time storming home on the outside to narrowly edge out Brightshininglight.
A 3-year-old gelded son of Great Notion, Supercruiser didn’t break the best, but Sheldon Russell allowed him to settle, and he relaxed three paths off the rail while racing in midpack.
Meanwhile, Matthew’s Ticket and Brightshininglight sparred for the early lead through an opening quarter in 22.89 seconds. Brightshininglight emerged from that skirmish with a short lead under jockey Tais Lyapustina and looked strong through the final furlong.
Sheldon Russell got down to business with Supercruiser, and the robust runner finally kicked it into gear, prevailing by a head in 1:03.03 on good going.
Brightshininglight was a valiant runner-up, half a length ahead of Matthew’s Ticket. Enduring Gold, Rye Diggitydog, Big Bolton, and Virginia Fitz completed the order. Paul’s Guitar scratched.
Favored in his second start, Supercruiser paid $4.80 to win.
Bred by Bowman and Higgins Stable, Supercruiser is out of Fly Girl, a stakes-placed dirt sprinter by Jump Start. He was bought for $35,000 as a yearling and sold for $180,000 last February.
Supercruiser is owned by Michael Golden’s Golden Lion Racing, Mrs. Ellen Charles’s Hillwood Stable, and Cary Frommer.
“I know they all got excited when they bought him,” Sheldon Russell said. “He had a few baby issues along the way and never made it to the races as a 2-year-old. We took him to Colonial, and he was working well. I knew Brittany was excited.”
Sent off at 6-1 at Colonial, Supercruiser broke slowly, saved ground behind horses, then uncorked an eye-catching kick to drive past the leaders. Sheldon Russell was suitably impressed.
“He sort of balked coming out of the gates,” he said about the debut try. “I put him in behind, and it looked like he was just going to follow them around. The good horses, when you call on them, respond. He surprised me by catching that horse the first time.”
Russell noticed the maturity Supercruiser displayed this afternoon.
“He learned a lot,” he stated. “He broke better. I had a great post. I always felt he was going well the whole way. He was really eager. It was good because he always had something to focus on. He’s done nothing wrong, and I feel like he’ll keep getting better and better with more races, and when he’s put in different situations. I liked what I felt.”
Supercruiser has earned $70,800.
*Around the track:
At M&T Bank Stadium on September 10, Brittany Russell was honored by the Baltimore Business Journal as one of the 2026 “40 Under 40” winners. The awards highlight 40 exceptional young professionals in the Greater Baltimore business community.
Jockey Jaime Rodriguez won two races on Friday’s card. Rodriguez was a patient pilot aboard Crab Mentality ($3.80), who rallied from far off the pace to win the sixth race for trainer Keri Brion. Rodriguez also captured the nightcap, riding Brikeli ($19.20) to a gate-to-wire win for trainer Kyle Horlacher.
Apprentice rider Leandro Briceno also secured two wins. Robert’s Moon ($5.20) won the seventh race for trainer John Salzman Jr., and Great Quality ($11.40) dominated the co-featured ninth for trainer Gary Capuano.
Live racing resumes Saturday with ten races, including the $100,000 Weather Vane Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs. Two “Value Pick 5” wagers feature a LOW 12% takeout. First post time is 12:00 pm. Read the Weather Vane Stakes advance here.
The free “Laurel Park Handicapping Guide” is available on every race day. It provides picks, analysis, trainer stats, trip notes, horses to watch, track bias info, and more from The Maryland Jockey Club’s team of handicappers. Saturday’s guide is available. Click here to view it.
Come out to Laurel Park on Sunday for “Family Day at Laurel Park.” From 8 am to 10 am ET, enjoy the “Morning Workout Show.” Meet Laurel Park’s trainers and jockeys, take photos in the winner’s circle, watch morning workouts, enjoy a complimentary sausage biscuit and a pancake station for kids, and learn more about the daily life of a thoroughbred. Then, from 11 am to 5 pm, enjoy exciting live racing and events for fans of all ages. Watch pony races, featuring young riders from local pony clubs, and enjoy a petting zoo, bounce house, face painting, and more. Admission is free. Register today here.
Reserve your spot for our weekly “Bubbly Brunch Sundays.” Relax with friends over delicious brunch favorites and bottomless mimosas at our vibrant Stone Bar Restaurant and Bar. Sunday Brunch begins at 11:00 am ET. Learn more here.
Never miss a second of the action on the Laurel Park YouTube channel. Click here to watch full pan and head-on replays.
Watch “Today at the Races,” the Maryland Jockey Club’s morning handicapping show every racing day at 11 am ET on the Maryland Jockey Club’s X account. Click here to watch.