Amino Springs $26 Upset for Maiden Victory Sunday
Amino Springs $26 Upset for Maiden Victory Sunday
Win Keeps Hot Streak Alive for Leading Rider McCarthy
Multiple Carryovers, Pie Giveaway for Thanksgiving Day Program
LAUREL, MD – Wertheimer and Frere juvenile homebred Amino, making his second career start and first on conventional dirt, wore down favored front-runner Mind the Gap for a maiden victory Sunday at Laurel Park that continued Trevor McCarthy’s resurgent return to the Maryland jockey colony.
By Pioneerof the Nile out of the Pulpit mare Glycine, Graham Motion-trained Amino ($26) ran about 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.55 over a fast main track to win the $40,000 maiden special weight for 2-year-olds by 1 ¼ lengths. Mind the Gap was second, 2 ¾ lengths ahead of Outofthepark.
The final time was faster than 3-year-old filly Thesweetesttaboo ran in winning the day’s featured event, a $42,000 entry-level optional claiming allowance for females 3 and up that went the same distance in 1:44.62.
It was the second straight win on the day and fifth in two days for McCarthy, 24, Maryland’s leading rider in 2014 and 2016 who is back riding full-time on the circuit after moving his tack to New York last winter. He leads Laurel’s fall meet with 31 victories and more than $1.2 million in purses, including wins in the James F. Lewis III, Safely Kept and Smart Halo Nov. 10.
“I’m very happy to be here. It’s nice when you’re at a place and people are happy to see you and they give you opportunities and they give you nice horses to ride,” McCarthy said. “It’s just a combination between good attitude, confidence and trainers having confidence in you, as well. My agent, Scotty [Silver], we teamed up again and everything’s going smooth. A little bit of hard work and everything’s coming together. I’m really happy to be back. It seems like it’s a better atmosphere for me here.”
McCarthy settled Amino in third along the rail as Mind the Gap was quickest from the gate and in front through fractions of 24.84 seconds, 45.36 and 1:13.85. Mind the Gap was still in command by two lengths straightening for home but Amino, tipped outside on the far turn, made a steady drive down the middle of the track to reel in the leader and surge past near the wire.
“He’s a nice horse. Graham told me to just kind of get him away good and put him where he’s comfortable. We got a great inside trip and we were able to angle out and it seemed like he did everything right,” McCarthy said. “I was happy with him. It seems like he beat a decent horse, so I was proud of him. Graham was pretty excited with how he ran. I think he’s a pretty nice, class horse; very straightforward to ride. Hopefully he’s got a bright future.”
Multiple Carryovers, Pie Giveaway for Thanksgiving Day Program
There will be carryovers in the 20-cent Rainbow 6 and 50-cent Late Pick 5 for Thursday’s 10-race Thanksgiving Day program. First post is 11:25 a.m.
The Rainbow 6 (Races 5-10) will have a jackpot carryover of $1,521.52 after going unsolved on Sunday. Tickets with five of six winners were worth $177.10.
The Late Pick 5 (Races 6-10), offering an industry low 12 percent takeout, will have a carryover of $4,282.75. Tickets with four of five winners Sunday returned $129.75.
Laurel will host its traditional pie giveaway on Thanksgiving Day. Fans will be able to take home a free family-sized apple or pumpkin pie with the purchase of a racing program, while supplies last.
From 10-11:30 a.m., Laurel will be giving away a free donut and choice of coffee or cider to all fans. There will also be a Thanksgiving Day buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For reservations, call 301-725-0770.
Notes: Jockey Katie Davis swept the late daily double aboard Majestic Pic ($22) in the eighth race and Grace Isabella ($5.80) in the ninth.
