Rainbow 6, Super Hi-5 Carryovers for Saturday Card

LAUREL, MD – Kieron Magee owned-and-trained Crystal Pier came with a steady run up the rail to catch favored pacesetter Polarization in deep stretch and win Friday’s eighth race at Laurel Park, giving seven-pound apprentice Julio Correa his first career hat trick.

Crystal Pier ($5) ran six furlongs in 1:12.33 over a fast main track to win the claiming event for fillies and mares 3 and up by a length. Polarization was a decisive second, five lengths ahead of Majestic Pic.

“It’s my first time winning three races in one day,” Correa said. “I feel grateful, man. I feel really good.”

Correa also won Race 3 with Smart Angle’s River Sonata ($6.80) for trainer Mark Reid, and captured Friday’s featured $40,000 maiden special weight in Race 6 with Tanterra Stables’ Last Love ($23.80), holding off 9-5 favorite Song of Mine – a half-sister to two-time champion Songbird – by a neck.

A 25-year-old native of Puerto Rico, Correa made his U.S. debut last July at Parx and rode primarily there and Penn National since launching his career full-time in November. He picked up his first win Feb. 2 aboard Rings of Jupiter at Parx, moving his tack to Maryland at the end of February.

All eight of Correa’s wins at Laurel’s winter meet have come over his last 20 mounts, including two-win days March 22 and 24. He has a record of 27-8-2-2 at Laurel and is 22-for-125 overall for his career.

“Thank God for this chance and for the owners and trainers and my agent, working hard in the morning,” Correa said. “I really appreciate it.”

Notes: Trainers Ken Cox and Hugh McMahon each sent out two winners Friday. Cox was first with Wee Monie Creek ($5) in Race 1 and Rockin Ruth ($4.20) in Race 7, while McMahon matched him with Le Weekend ($4) in Race 2 and My Chesa Charm ($3.20) in Race 4 … There will be carryovers of $1,319.96 in the $1 Super Hi-5 for Saturday’s opener and $985.44 in the 20-cent Rainbow 6, which spans Races 4-9. Tickets with five of six winners were worth $54.74. First race post time Saturday is 1:10 p.m.