Racing News

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.

Influential Owner And Breeder R. Larry Johnson Passes Away

02/08/2025

Bred classic-placed Mindframe

LAUREL, MD – The new Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park mourns the passing of influential owner and breeder R. Larry Johnson, who died on Feb. 4 at 78.

The owner of Legacy Farm in Bluemount, VA, Johnson's foray into breeding began in 1978 when he purchased the mare Ran's Chick for the bargain basement price of $2,800.

While Ran's Chick never made it to the racetrack, she became Johnson's foundation broodmare, with more than 40 stakes horses emerging from that family.

Safe Trust Appears Stakes Bound After Friday Allowance Win

02/07/2025

Bailintin relishes wet track in co-featured seventh race

LAUREL, MD – Trainer Jose Corrales spoke only one word when describing Safe Trust’s progression from a petulant baby to a multiple stakes-placed juvenile to the winner of today’s co-featured fourth race at Laurel Park, a first-level allowance with a $62,500 claiming option for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs.

“Teamwork.”

After Safe Trust parlayed a pace-pressing trip to her second victory, Corrales credited his staff.

Fritz Widaman Named Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sponsorships at The Maryland Jockey Club

02/07/2025

Veteran industry executive to craft sales and business development strategy

LAUREL, MD – The new Maryland Jockey Club (TMJC) announced today that it has hired Fritz Widaman as Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sponsorships.

Fritz Widaman Named Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sponsorships at The Maryland Jockey Club

02/07/2025

Veteran industry executive to craft sales and business development strategy

LAUREL, MD – The new Maryland Jockey Club (TMJC) announced today that it has hired Fritz Widaman as Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sponsorships.

$2 Million Preakness (G1) 150 Tops Lucrative Stakes Weekend

02/06/2025

Total of 16 Stakes, Eight Graded, Worth $4.3 Million May 16 & 17

LAUREL, MD – Headlined by the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes (G1), Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown, a total of 16 stakes, eight graded, worth $4.3 million in purses will be contested Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17 at historic Pimlico Race Course.

First run in 1873, the Preakness is the second oldest of the Triple Crown races, predating the Kentucky Derby (G1) by two years. The inaugural Belmont Stakes (G1) was held in 1867.

Change My World Upsets Sunday Feature

02/02/2025

Nominations released for Feb. 15 stakes
Jaime Lugo Jr. rides first North American winner

LAUREL, MD – Jockey Jaime Rodriguez was impressed by Change My World’s tenacity after the colt rallied to win Sunday’s featured sixth race at Laurel Park, a $47,000 maiden special weight for 3-year-olds at six furlongs.

Complexity Jane Debuts Impressively

02/01/2025

Brittany and Sheldon Russell combine for three maiden winners
Jockey Jaime Rodriguez wins four on the Saturday card

LAUREL, MD – Complexity Jane overcame adversity to impressively win her career debut in Saturday’s sixth race at Laurel Park, a $47,000 maiden special weight for 3-year-olds fillies at six furlongs.

Mr. Antonelli Grabs Friday Feature

01/31/2025

Secret Zipper wins third consecutive race
Jockey J. G. Torrealba rides three winners

LAUREL, MD – “He did that so easy,” jockey Xavier Perez told assistant trainer Colton Moore as he piloted Mr. Antonelli to the winner’s circle following Friday’s featured eighth race at Laurel Park, a conditioned allowance with a $55,000 claiming option.