D.C. International Continues to be Work in Progress; Saturday Features Eight Turf Stakes, Three Graded
D.C. International Continues to be Work in Progress; Saturday Features Eight Turf Stakes, Three Graded
Special Post Time for Saturday’s ‘Class on the Grass’ Program
Saturday Features Eight Turf Stakes, Three Graded
LAUREL, MD - When the Baltimore-Washington International Turf Cup (G2) is contested Saturday at Laurel Park, it will be another step in the revitalization of the D.C. International.
“The race Saturday is kind of a placeholder for the D.C. International,” said Sal Sinatra, President and General Manager of the Maryland Jockey Club. “It’s a work in progress.”
From 1952 until its demise in 1994, the D.C. International was one of the world’s most important turf races. The inaugural running drew seven horses from four countries, including British-based winner Wilwyn. Within a few years, horses owned by Queen Elizabeth II and Sir Winston Churchill competed. The list of participants included Kelso, Bald Eagle, Paradise Creek, Bowl Game, Dahlia and All Along, and countries participating included Poland, Russia and New Zealand.
The International was no longer viable with the introduction of the Breeders’ Cup. But the Maryland Jockey Club is working to bring back the D.C. International. A bill passed by legislators last year included state funding to support a Grade I race.
“The race is eligible to be upgraded, but we don’t know if that will happen next year or if we need to go back to legislators and change the language,” Sinatra said. “There’s also the possibility of talking to embassies in Washington, and we’ve also talked about connections securing a spot in the starting gate similar to the Pegasus World Cup.
“Whatever we decide or however we move forward, we very much want to make this race the centerpiece of Laurel.”
Special Post Time for Saturday’s ‘Class on the Grass’ Program
There will be a special 12:30 p.m. post time for Saturday’s 12-race ‘Class on the Grass’ program as part of Commonwealth Day at Laurel Park featuring eight turf stakes, three graded, worth $850,000 in purses.
Admission and general parking are always free at Laurel, which moves back to a 1:10 p.m. first post for Sunday’s 11-race card.
The $150,000 Commonwealth Oaks (G3) for 3-year-old fillies (Race 7), $200,000 Baltimore-Washington International Turf Cup (G2) for 3-year-olds and up (Race 8) and $200,000 Commonwealth Derby (G3) for 3-year-olds (Race 11) help comprise the popular 20-cent Rainbow 6 wager that spans Races 7-12.
Also part of the six-race sequence is the 5 ½-furlong Jamestown (Race 9) for 2-year-olds, one of five $60,000 stakes restricted to Virginia-bred/sired horses. It is joined by the Punch Line for 3-year-olds and up and Oakley for females 3 and older, each at 5 ½ furlongs; and the Bert Allen for 3-year-olds and up and Brookmeade for fillies and mares 3 and up, both at 1 1/16 miles.
