Maryland Million Distaff likely next for consistent filly
LAUREL, MD—Slewperstitus didn’t need a rabbit’s foot, a four-leaf clover, or any other lucky talisman on Saturday at Laurel Park.
Ridden confidently throughout by jockey Jevian Toledo, the Maryland-bred burst to the front turning into the stretch and successfully defended her home turf in the $100,000 Weather Vane Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs.
Toledo gave Slewerpstitus a few strides to find her footing, then sent her up to track the pace while she was three wide and in the second flight of runners.
Just Philtored and Embrace the Moment battled for the lead through the opening quarter in 22.84 seconds, but Slewpersitus loomed directly outside them after a half-mile clocking of 45.99.
As Slewperstitus traveled sweetly, Toledo took a long look back, realizing that Just Philtored and Embrace the Moment were his for the taking.
With ears pricked, Slewperstitus grabbed the lead at the three-sixteenths pole and lengthened her stride. She held firm through the stretch, beating the Brad Cox-trained, rail-skimming favorite Sneaky Good by 2 ¼ lengths in 1:10.87 on the fast main track.
Kentucky shipper French Friction rallied belatedly to finish third. Then came Embrace the Moment, Just Philtored, Late Night Text, and For the Ladies. Celtic Harp scratched out.
The third choice in the betting, Slewperstitus, paid $9.20 to win. It marked Toledo’s second victory on the program.
“She broke good,” Toledo said. “I knew [Embrace the Moment] was going to go. My filly got into the clear, and she just dragged me. The whole way, she was there for me. She’s a nice filly. She always tries.”
Bred by Nancy and Eric Rizer and owned by Eric Rizer, Slewperstitus has been masterfully trained by Robbie Bailes, hitting the board in all 12 starts, including a win in last year’s Maryland Million Lassie Stakes and six stakes placings.
Slewperstitus finished second in all three starts at Colonial Downs this summer, including a second-level allowance on August 27, her final start before the Weather Vane.
“She runs so hard,” Bailes said admiringly. “She deserved to win a couple of those races. She just hooked a couple of monsters. She had a really good workout the other day and put us where we needed to be. Toledo did a great job. He did everything right.”
Slewperstitus is by Great Notion, out of Slew of Bullets, a stakes-placed daughter of Slew City Slew.
“She’s really wonderful,” said Nancy Rizer, who foaled Slewperstitus. “She’s just like her mother. She’s third generation on our farm. She’s fabulous. I’m so proud of her.”
Bailes said Slewperstitus is likely to next compete in the $100,000 Maryland Million Distaff Stakes at seven furlongs at Laurel on October 24.
*Around the track:
Trainer Hugh McMahon, who won two races last Sunday, captured two more on Saturday’s card. He saddled Biker Baley ($3.80), Toledo’s first winner this afternoon, to a dominant victory in the fourth race, then took the finale with Boujee Bubblez ($7) and jockey Charlie Marquez.
Live racing resumes Sunday with ten races. First post time is 12:00 pm, and there are two “Value Pick 5” wagers featuring a LOW 12% takeout.
The free “Laurel Park Handicapping Guide” is available on every race day. It provides picks, analysis, trainer stats, trip notes, horses to watch, track bias info, and more from The Maryland Jockey Club’s team of handicappers. Sunday’s guide is available. Click here to view it.
Come out to Laurel Park on Sunday for “Family Day at Laurel Park.” From 8 am to 10 am ET, enjoy the “Morning Workout Show.” Meet Laurel Park’s trainers and jockeys, take photos in the winner’s circle, watch morning workouts, enjoy a complimentary sausage biscuit and a pancake station for kids, and learn more about the daily life of a thoroughbred. Then, from 11 am to 5 pm, enjoy exciting live racing and events for fans of all ages. Watch pony races, featuring young riders from local pony clubs, and enjoy a petting zoo, bounce house, face painting, and more. Admission is free. Register today here.
Never miss a second of the action on the Laurel Park YouTube channel. Click here to watch full pan and head-on replays.
Watch “Today at the Races,” the Maryland Jockey Club’s morning handicapping show every racing day at 11 am ET on the Maryland Jockey Club’s X account. Click here to watch.