Two more winners for teenage phenom Hazlewood

LAUREL, MD – Second-generation trainer Jack Abrams is in the midst of a career year.

The son of Ronald Abrams, an active Parx-based trainer with over 350 wins to his credit, Jack Abrams advanced his 2025 record to 10 wins from 26 starters after Dixie Groove rallied from off the pace to take Saturday’s featured eighth race, a first-level allowance for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles.

A 5-year-old by Overanalyze, Dixie Groove raced outside at the back as favored Sister Supream set uncontested and reasonable fractions of 24.90 and 49.33 seconds over the fast track.

Sister Supream rebuffed a second-turn challenge from Gilda’s Girl after six furlongs in 1:14.51, but jockey J. G. Torrealba had Dixie Groove on the move.

Sister Supream tired in the final furlong, and Dixie Groove took advantage, driving under the wire 1 ½ lengths better than the pacesetter. Rowsie Express finished another 2 ¼ lengths behind in third. Next came Gilda’s Girl, Lachicafortequila, Divining Smile, and Magically Vanished.

Jack Abrams hung out his shingle in 2022, saddling two winners from 26 starters. He enjoyed his best season in 2024 with 15 winners and over $390,000 in purses earned.

Abrams was concerned as the race unfolded with a loose, favored leader setting her own pace.

“I was pretty worried then, but she ran great,” said Abrams, who trains a 12-horse string at Parx.

Bred by Two Hearts Farm in Kentucky, Dixie Groove sold for $20,000 as a 2-year-old. Her dam is a half-sister to Grade 3-winning turf router Melhor Ainda, and the second dam was a Group 2 winner on dirt in Argentina.

Jack Abrams claimed Dixie Groove for $7,500 out of a second-place finish at Parx on Dec. 9. Since then, she earned $37,900 with three wins and a third from four starts.

“She was consistent,” Abrams said about why he claimed Dixie Groove. “Pretty cheap, but she would always make a run. She’s really found her game coming from behind, and she keeps getting better.”

*Around the track

*Seventeen-year-old phenom Yedsit Hazlewood won two races on Saturday for the second consecutive afternoon. Hazlewood reached the winner’s circle aboard Tam Char ($8) in the fourth race for trainer Michael Gorham and with Schrader ($12.80) for Hugh McMahon in the sixth. McMahon trained two winners on the program. Jockey J. G. Torrealba also rode two winners on the card.

*With turf season right around the corner, Graham Motion worked two stable stars at Fair Hill this morning. Toupie, the winner of the Grade 3 Las Cienegas Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 19, breezed a half-mile in 50.20 seconds over the All-Weather training track while unbeaten Laurelin clocked five furlongs in 1:01.40. Laurelin is ramping up for her 3-year-old debut after capturing Aqueduct’s Tepin Stakes on Nov. 17.

*At Laurel on Thursday morning, Gorham breezed Pay Billy a half-mile in 48.60 seconds. Second by a nose in the Miracle Wood Stakes on Feb. 22 and the winner of the Private Terms on March 22, Pay Billy is a leading contender for the $150,000 Federico Tesio Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on April 19

*Saxton, most recently second by a neck in the Jimmy Winkfield at Aqueduct on March 15, breezed a half-mile in 50.80 seconds for trainer Brittany Russell on Thursday morning. Russell also breezed 5-year-old Worcester four furlongs in 48 flat. Second in Aqueduct’s Stymie on March 1, Worcester is a nominee in both the $100,000 Frank Y. Whiteley and $100,000 Native Dancer Stakes at Laurel on April 12.

*Live racing resumes on Sunday with an eight-race program. The first post time is 12:10 pm ET.