LAUREL, MD. 12-20-12---On paper and over the Laurel Park main track, Bold Affair appears to tower over eight other fillies and mares entered to start in Saturday’s $125,000 Thirty Eight Go Go Stakes.

Already the winner of three stakes at Laurel Park this year, Bold Affair (4-5) won the Conniver in March and scored back-to-back victories in the Maryland Million Distaff Handicap and the Geisha Stakes. Toss in victories in the Skipat and Pimonetta Stakes at Pimlico this past spring and the Howard Wolfendale trainee boasts a record of nine wins in fifteen lifetime starts. Abel Castellano Jr. has the mount on the chestnut daughter of Two Punch.

“She has improved a great deal since I first rode her in late January,” Castellano said. “She is really smart and I love her long stride. I have a lot of confidence in her.”

Onepointhreekarats (4-1) is the second choice on the morning line off back-to-back wins, including a visually impressive, pace controlling score at Laurel on November 3rd. Graham Motion trains the Medaglia d’Oro filly and Jeremy Rose retains the mount.

Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship winner Plum (6-1) finished third behind Bold Affair in the Geisha, closing up the rail under Sheldon Russell at 34-1. Russell rides the Pure Prize filly for trainer Rodney Jenkins.

Access to Charlie (8-1) finished in fourth, 7-1/2 lengths behind Bold Affair in the Geisha. Her other meeting with Bold Affair turned out much worse, as she was beaten by twenty lengths in the Conniver last March. The Larry Murray trainee has four wins on her resume including two against optional claiming company this year. Julian Pimentel has the mount.

Unbridled Belle Stakes winner Withgreatpleasure (10-1) rallied to finish second in last Saturday’s Willa on the Move Stakes. Trainer David Nunn wheels her right back, but no rider is named.  The Hold That Tiger filly has placed in two other stakes this year, the Pink Ribbon and the Cornucopia.

Completing the field are Whatabootie, Ms. Tiptaptoe, All About Hope and Narita.

Christmas comes early to Laurel Park on Saturday. Lucky fans selected throughout the day choose a wrapped package from our Giving Tree. Mystery gifts include flat screens, Ipads, game systems and other prizes. Fans also receive a free 2013 Maryland Racing Calendar featuring photos of the past year’s racing highlights.
 

About Laurel Park

Laurel Park is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida and is one of North America's top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world's largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; Xpressbet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a major producer of televised horse racing programming through its HRTV cable and satellite network and is North America's premier supplier of virtual online horse racing games, as well as a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.