Laurel Runners Make Big Impact in Triple Crown Preps
Laurel Runners Make Big Impact in Triple Crown Preps
Motion, Matz and Lynch Saddle Graded Winners
LAUREL, MD - If there were any questions about the reemergence of Thoroughbred racing in Maryland and Laurel Park, they were answered Saturday when 3-year-olds coming out of races at Laurel won three graded stakes around the country, including two major preps for the Kentucky Derby (G1).
In the $350,000 Lambholm South Holy Bull (G2) at Gulfstream Park - a major prep for the $1 million Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby - Isabelle de Tomaso's Irish War Cry beat a field of seven including champion juvenile Classic Empire. A son of Curlin who spent last year at the Fair Hill Training Center in Elkton, Irish War Cry broke his maiden at Laurel in November before winning the $100,000 Marylander Dec. 31. Trained by Graham Motion, Irish War Cry is now undefeated in three starts.
Laurel-based El Areeb, who won the James Lewis here Nov. 19 for owner M M G Stables, won his fourth consecutive race and second graded stakes Saturday by easily winning the $250,000 Withers (G3) at Aqueduct. Trained by Cathal Lynch and ridden by leading Maryland rider Trevor McCarthy, El Areeb may run next in New York's Gotham (G3) March 4 or Wood Memorial (G2) April 8.
On the distaff side, Dorothy Alexander Matz's Tequilita, who closed out her juvenile season with a victory Nov. 19 in Laurel's Smart Halo, made an impressive 3-year-old debut Saturday at Gulfstream by winning the $200,000 Forward Gal (G2). Trained by Michael Matz, Tequilita is a daughter of Union Rags, a Matz trainee who won the 2012 Belmont Stakes (G1), Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2) in 2012, and Champagne Stakes (G1) in 2011.
If three graded wins wasn't enough, Sine Wave, who broke her maiden at Laurel Dec. 10, won the $51,000 optional allowance feature Saturday at Parx.
“Maryland has always held its own, even perhaps when things weren’t going so well," Motion said Sunday morning. "The quality of horses that come out of there has always been strong. I think it speaks well for Maryland tracks and Fair Hill. The Maryland racing circuit is a strong one. It has been replenished in the last couple of years by The Stronach Group."
Sal Sinatra, President and General Manager of the Maryland Jockey Club, said; "It was a great day for Maryland racing. I think it's helped that we've focused more of our attention on 2-year-old racing at Laurel late in the year. I think the performances we witnessed Saturday is just another sign that Maryland racing is experiencing a rebirth. We will continue growing the sport. We're especially looking forward to Feb. 18 when Laurel hosts the $300,000 Barbara Fritchie (G2), $250,000 General George (G3) and four other stakes races, including two for 3-year-olds."
