Racing News

Secret Zipper Wins Fourth Straight

02/21/2025

Late Nite Call graduates in speedy fashion

LAUREL, MD – He’s no longer a secret.

Secret Zipper won his fourth consecutive start when he wired a solid field in Friday’s featured eighth race at Laurel Park, a $53,000 second-level allowance with a $40,000 claiming option at 1 1/16 miles.

Trained by Gary Capuano for owner and breeder Frank Sample, Secret Zipper broke from the advantageous inside post in the two-turn affair and soon made the lead under jockey J. G. Torrealba.

John Banno Named Director of Racing Surfaces

02/21/2025

Veteran Track Superintendent to manage dirt surfaces at TMJC properties

LAUREL, MD – The new Maryland Jockey Club (TMJC) announced today that it has hired John Banno as Director of Racing Surfaces.

Previously the Track Superintendent at Thistledown, Banno brings over 30 years of industry experience to his new role. He will oversee the TMJC track team as they maintain the dirt surfaces at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course, and the brand-new training center at Shamrock Farm.

Spectacular Bid Top Three Clash in Miracle Wood

02/19/2025

Icona Mama makes seasonal debut in Wide Country

LAUREL, MD – The top three finishers from last month's Spectacular Bid Stakes square off once more in Saturday's $100,000 Miracle Wood for 3-year-olds racing one mile at Laurel Park.

The Miracle Wood shares top billing on the nine-race program with the $100,000 Wide Country Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs. The first post time is 12:10 pm ET.

Regaled Kicks Them Down In Sunday Feature

02/16/2025

Del Fabbro rides first North American winner

LAUREL, MD – “Bloodlines rule,” trainer Sammy Davis said after Regaled rallied from last to first to prevail in Sunday’s featured seventh race at Laurel Park, a $53,000 second-level allowance with a $40,000 claiming option for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles.

Regaled wore blinkers for the first time.

Quint’s Brew Romps In General George

02/15/2025

Irish Maxima too good in Barbara Fritchie
Sea Dancer now 2 for 2 on dirt after Nellie Morse win
Speedyness lives up to name in John B. Campbell

LAUREL, MD – As he did last month, Quint’s Brew turned into the Laurel Park stretch with a commanding lead in a stakes race and maintained his run to the wire, this time in Saturday’s $200,000 General George for 4-year-olds and upward at seven furlongs.

“That was a big race,” said trainer Ned Allard. “I’m impressed.”

Saxton Digs Deep In Friday Feature

02/14/2025

Cuz Ur Pretty wins second consecutive start

LAUREL, MD – Multiple stakes-placed Saxton displayed his usual speed, then gamely re-rallied along the fence to nip Slam Notion by a lip in Friday’s featured eighth race, a $49,000 first-level allowance with a $62,500 claiming option for 3-year-olds at six furlongs.

Salty Stakes Winners Collide in General George

02/12/2025

Irish Maxima the likely favorite in the Barbara Fritchie
Sea Dancer seeks back-to-back stakes victories in Nellie Morse
Offaly Cool looks for hat trick in John B. Campbell

LAUREL, MD – Quint's Brew, Celtic Contender, and Prince of Jericho have all won stakes races at Laurel Park this winter. They headline Saturday's $200,000 General George for 4-year-olds and upward racing seven furlongs at Laurel Park.

Laurel Park To Host Preakness Preview Day Handicapping Challenge

02/10/2025

Hybrid on-site and online contest on Saturday, April 19
Cash prizes offered as well as NHC/BCBC seats and Preakness tickets

LAUREL, MD – The new Maryland Jockey Club is proud to host the Preakness Preview Day Handicapping Challenge, a one-day on-site and online handicapping contest taking place on Saturday, April 19 at Laurel Park or through Xpressbet and TVG/4NJBETS.

Paradise Valley Overcomes Adversity To Capture Sunday Feature

02/09/2025

LAUREL, MD – When trainer Kate DeMasi claimed Paradise Valley for $25,000 during the fall of 2023, she was confident she had made a prescient purchase.

“I thought he was a nice horse,” DeMasi said after Paradise Valley overcame adversity to win Sunday’s featured race at Laurel Park, a $56,000 conditioned allowance with a $55,000 claiming option for 4-year-olds and upward at 5 ½ furlongs. “He just was a runner, and I think they were running him where he belonged,”

St. Jude Rallies to Win Saturday Feature At Laurel Park

02/08/2025

All the Hardways takes allowance for 3-year-olds

LAUREL, MD – Unbothered by a cold February rain, St. Jude rallied from just off the pace under jockey Jaime Rodriguez to win Saturday’s featured eighth race at Laurel Park, a $49,000 first-level allowance for 4-year-olds and upward at seven furlongs.