LAUREL, MD. 12-04-13---The calendar might say December but apprentice rider Victor Carrasco remained red-hot after postingthree victories on Wednesday’s nine-race card at Laurel Park. 

The 21-year-old, who won 25 races from 112 mounts at the central Maryland track last month, visited the winners’ circle with Secret Jackpot ($13.80-race 2), Unsighted ($10.60-race 4) and Mshomecomingqueen ($12.60-race 5).

It was the eighth time in the last nine racing days that Carrasco has produced a multiple win afternoon at Laurel. He leads the current fall standings with 48 victories.

Carrasco, who finished second in the Pimlico spring and Delaware Park standings, is one of six apprentice riders vying for the three Eclipse Award finalist spots. He leads all first-year riders in wins and earnings.
 

“I really hope he wins the Eclipse,” said Hamilton Smith, who teamed up with Carrasco in the fifth race. “He is a really nice kid who works extremely hard.”

McCarthy, who also won three races on Wednesday’s card, and Toledo are also members of the Maryland jockey colony. Esquivel and Franco ride at Aqueduct. Zayas, who is based in south Florida, has less than a week remaining in his bug year.

Maryland-based apprentice riders have captured nine of the 42 Eclipse Awards for Outstanding Apprentice with Chris McCarron (1974), Ronnie Franklin (1978), Alberto Delgado (1982), Allen Stacy (1986), Kent Desormeaux (1987), Mike Luzzi (1989), Mark Johnston (1990), Jeremy Rose (2001) and Ryan Fogelsonger (2002) all being honored. The last dominating apprentice in the state was Rosie Napravnik, who won 279 races during her bug year (2005-2006).

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