LAUREL, MD—As the field passed the half-mile pole in Friday’s featured eighth race at Laurel Park, a ratings-optional claiming event for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles, Next Level settled comfortably under jockey Charlie Marquez.
One potential stumbling block remained. The 5-year-old gelding was in and among horses and was slightly hemmed in by the wide-rallying Otago.
“He usually gets that kind of trip,” said Next Level’s trainer, Hugh McMahon. “He’s all wrapped up [with] nowhere to go on that backstretch. I thought if that’s going to get him beat, then that’s probably going to get him beat today.”
Marquez had other plans. He let Otago clear to the lead turning into the stretch, shifted Next Level to the wide outside, and chirped to his mount.
Next Level responded.
He roared past Otago and stayed to his task, besting multiple stakes-winner Lure Him In by 1 ¾ lengths. Multiple stakes-winner Otago held third, a length behind the runner-up. Multiple stakes-placed Just a Fair Shake, multiple stakes-winner Pay Billy, Brindano, stakes-placed Union Fleet, and Brighty completed the order of finish.
Next Level completed the distance in 1:44.62 on the fast track and paid $8.80 as the second choice in the wagering. Crossland scratched.
“He’s a strong, powerful horse,” McMahon added. “[Charlie] did a good job of getting him out before the stretch, and used the entirety of the stretch to accomplish the win.”
Bred in Kentucky by White Fox Farm, Next Level is a 5-year-old gelding by Vino Rosso out of the stakes-placed Devious d’ Oro, by Medaglia d’ Oro. He sold for $20,000 as a yearling.
Originally trained by Keith Desormeaux, Next Level finished third in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity in 2023 and placed third in the Grade 3 Matt Winn Stakes the following year. Two months after the Matt Winn, Next Level finished second in the St. Louis Derby.
After that race, Next Level competed at various levels on different surfaces before being claimed for $25,000 by SAB Stables following a fourth-place finish on turf at Colonial Downs on July 12.
“That was my owner,” McMahon admitted. “He was looking. He saw him. I had a look. It wasn’t just apparent to us. There were quite a few people in the shake.”
Although Next Level’s best races have arguably come on dirt, Friday’s win was his first start on that surface this year, after six races on turf and synthetic.
“I was hoping he would be our two-other-than winter horse,” McMahon said. “It’s usually a smaller field, and it’s a nice race when that goes.”
*Around the track:
Jockey Jeiron Barbosa won two races on Friday’s card. He kept Celtic Harp ($11.20) close to the pace in the fifth race, and they wore down pacesetter Big Earn in the final furlong for trainer Hamilton Smith. Two races later, Barbosa eased Cybertime ($7.20) off the rail turning for home, and they engaged Bushido in a thrilling stretch drive. Anthony Farrior trains Cybertime.
Live racing resumes Saturday with ten races, including three stakes on turf. First post time is 12:00 pm, and there are two “Value Pick 5” wagers with a LOW 12% takeout. Read the stakes advances 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.
On Saturday, Laurel Park hosts the “Autumn Turf Festival” Handicapping Challenge, a hybrid on-site and online contest held at Laurel Park or via Xpressbet, TwinSpires, and TVG/4NJBETS. The entry fee is $500 ($250 entry fee, $250 live bankroll). Contest wagering is allowed on the full card of Laurel Park live races. Win, Place, Show, Exacta, and Daily Double wagers are permitted. For more information, visit here.
Join us at Laurel Park this Saturday for the “Craft Beer Festival.” Enjoy craft beer, excellent company, and top-tier racing from the Apron Tent Lounge. Talk with local brewers while exploring various tasting stations. Get your tickets 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.