Hailey’s Flip Impresses in Sunday Maiden Victory; Carrasco Moves to Top of Rider Standings with Three-Win Day
Hailey’s Flip Impresses in Sunday Maiden Victory; Carrasco Moves to Top of Rider Standings with Three-Win Day
Carrasco Moves to Top of Rider Standings with Three-Win Day
Rainbow 6 Carryover at $9,449 for Friday Twilight Program
LAUREL, MD – Daniel C. Crowley’s Haley’s Flip, back two weeks off an educational debut effort, led all the way around to earn her diploma with a decisive 6 ¼-length win in Sunday’s fourth race at Laurel Park, a $33,000 maiden event for 2-year-old fillies.
Bred in Maryland by Spendthrift Farm LLC and trained by Gary Capuano, the juvenile daughter of Archarcharch ran five furlongs in 59.29 seconds over a fast main track. She was sixth, beaten 3 ¼ lengths, in her July 15 unveiling at Laurel.
“She ran really good the first time. She’s a real gutsy filly, tries hard, good-looking filly,” Capuano said. “She fit in here well. I thought she’d improve off of that race and she did. When those horses came to her, she took off. She really showed a little bit of heart.”
After losing apprentice rider Kali Francois in the post parade, Hailey’s Flip broke running from post 3 and was in front through a quarter-mile in 23.38 seconds and a half in 47.19 stalked by Phantom Shot. The two came to the top of the stretch together where Phantom Shot loomed a threat before Hailey’s Flip sprinted clear after straightening for home to win going away.
Phantom Shot was second, followed by Sweet Zoraya, Spicy Red Girl and even-money favorite Notthatitmatters. Capuano entered the race winning with maidens making their second start at a 45 percent clip.
“It’s hard to win first time out with any of them, or off a long layoff. Getting them fit and ready to run is one thing, getting them ready to win is a big difference,” Capuano said. “Sometimes it’s just a matter of timing. You need a couple more works but the race comes up so you kind of run. Unless they’re real fast it’s hard to win first time, but they get a lot out of the first race and she did. She broke well today. They dueled, another horse came to her and she just shook her off and took off. It was a real nice race.”
Capuano reported that stakes winner Noteworthy Peach was doing well following his optional claiming allowance victory Saturday at Laurel.
“He’s feeling good this morning. He was happy about himself,” Capuano said. “He’s tough. He is just a cool horse. He was beside himself this morning. He may go to the track tomorrow or Tuesday.”
Carrasco Moves to Top of Rider Standings with Three-Win Day
Jockey Victor Carrasco tied Feargal Lynch for the lead in Laurel’s summer meet standings with a riding triple Sunday.
Carrasco swept the early daily double with 1-5 favorite Lady of Moray ($2.60) in the first race and Becky Kecki ($8.40) in the second, and took the fifth with 4-5 favorite Daily News ($3.60).
“It’s been a really good day,” Carrasco said. “Thank you [trainers] Holly Robinson, Gregory Wilson and Katy Voss. It’s been a great meet. I’ve been blessed to ride for some good people and get on some nice horses. It’s all about them. I owe them everything.”
Second to Trevor McCarthy in both Laurel’s winter-spring stand and the Preakness Meet at Pimlico this year, Carrasco and Lynch are tied at 17 wins with nine days remaining in the 24-day summer meet that ends Aug. 21. Lynch captured Sunday’s finale with Outfielder ($12.60).
The 24-year-old Carrasco is a three-time meet champion in Maryland and winner of the 2013 Eclipse Award as champion apprentice jockey. He had the second-most wins in Maryland in 2014 and 2015, and is keeping himself busy this summer riding out of town on Laurel’s dark days.
“It’s been Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at Delaware and Friday, Saturday and Sunday here. Sometimes on Tuesday I go to Philly,” he said. “It’s been busy but I’m working on it.”
Rainbow 6 Carryover at $9,449 for Friday Twilight Program
The 20-cent Rainbow 6 went unsolved for the 11th consecutive live program on Sunday, growing the jackpot carryover to $9,449.08 when racing resumes with Friday’s weekly twilight program.
First race post time is 3:40 p.m.
One horse, 6-year-old gelding Herthum, was live to take down the jackpot heading into the ninth race finale, a 5 ½-furlong off-turf claiming event won by Outfielder ($12.60). Tickets with five of six winners returned $319.82.
The Rainbow 6 jackpot is only paid out when there is a single unique ticket sold with all six winners. On days when there is no unique ticket, 60 percent of that day’s pool goes back to those bettors holding tickets with the most winners while 40 percent is carried over to the jackpot pool.
Notes: Jockey Angel Cruz had two winners Sunday with Flame of My Heart ($2.40) in the third race and Open the Bank ($19.60) in the sixth. Trainer Gary Capuano won with Hailey’s Flip ($12.20) in the fourth race and How’s Your Sugar ($11.80) in the eighth … The last seven races on Sunday were each won by horses bred in Maryland.
