Racing News

Jalen Journey Declared Winner of $200,000 De Francis Dash G3

09/18/2021

First-Place Finisher Wondrwherecraigis Disqualified for Interference

LAUREL, MD – It wasn’t the way they drew it up on paper, but Rockingham Ranch and David Bernsen’s Jalen Journey picked up his first career stakes victory Saturday at Laurel Park following the disqualification of first-place finisher and 4-5 favorite Wondrwherecraigis in the $200,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (G3).

Emotional Victory for Hello Beautiful in $100,000 Weather Vane

09/18/2021

Dreamalildreamofu Catches Artful Splatter Late in $100,000 Twixt

LAUREL, MD – With her regular rider on crutches and watching from the grandstand, Hello Beautiful provided Sheldon Russell with a spectacular get-well gift as she rolled to a popular and emotional 10 ¼-length triumph in Saturday’s $100,000 Weather Vane at Laurel Park.

Hello Beautiful Looks Tough to Beat in $100,000 Weather Vane

09/17/2021

Among Four Stakes Worth $500,000 on De Francis (G3) Program

LAUREL, MD – Madaket Stables, Albert Frassetto, Mark Parkinson, K-Mac Stables and Magic City Stables’ Maryland-bred Hello Beautiful, unraced six earning her sixth career stakes victory to close July, is set to return as the horse to beat in Saturday’s $100,000 Weather Vane at Laurel Park.

Stronach 5 Returns $1,922 with Two Even Money Favorites

09/17/2021

Four of Five Winners Return $8 or Less

LAUREL, MD –Even with the Stronach 5 having two winners paying $4 and another two returning $8 or under, the popular wager Friday returned $1,922.20 to each of the 40 winning tickets.

The biggest price on the cross-country wager with a low 12-percent takeout was $14.20.

Hall of Famer Smith Making Rare Laurel Appearance Saturday

09/17/2021

Will Ride G1 Winner Roadster in $100,000 Polynesian

LAUREL, MD – His Hall of Fame career has taken jockey Mike Smith quite literally around the world. His next stop – and first in more than 14 ½ years – brings the affable 56-year-old to Laurel Park.

Based in California since 2000, Smith will be in town Saturday with three mounts on the $200,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (G3) program led by Grade 1 winner Roadster in the $100,000 Polynesian for 3-year-olds and up.

Friday’s Stronach 5: Three Tracks & Five Races in Less Than an Hour

09/16/2021

Low 12-Percent Takeout

LAUREL, MD – The Stronach 5, featuring a low 12-percent takeout, makes stops Friday at Laurel Park, Gulfstream Park and Golden Gate Fields with full fields and two races scheduled for the turf.

The popular wager begins at approximately 4:18 ET at Laurel and concludes less than an hour later at Golden Gate Fields.

G1 Winner Roadster Continues Comeback in $100,000 Polynesian

09/16/2021

Hall of Famer Mike Smith to Ride
Dreamalildreamofu Chasing Second Stakes Win in $100,000 Twixt
Among Four Stakes Worth $500,000 on De Francis (G3) Day Card

LAUREL, MD – Speedway Stables’ Grade 1 winner and one-time Triple Crown contender Roadster will be making just his fifth start in the last two years and first on the East Coast as he continues his comeback in Saturday’s $100,000 Polynesian at Laurel Park.

Wondrwherecraigis Targets Graded Score in De Francis Dash (G3)

09/15/2021

Defending Champion Laki, G1-Placed Jalen Journey Among Rivals
Six-Furlong Sprint Headlines Four Stakes Worth $500,000 Saturday

LAUREL, MD – With two straight wins under his belt including a long-awaited first stakes triumph and returning to a track where he has yet to lose, the timing is ideal for Wondrwherecraigis to step back into graded company in Saturday’s $200,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (G3) at Laurel Park.

Jockey Sheldon Russell to Have Surgery on Injured Right Foot

09/15/2021

Journeyman Leads All Maryland Riders in Purses Won in 2021

LAUREL, MD – Sheldon Russell, the top money-winning jockey in Maryland this year, will have surgery to repair an injury to his right foot suffered in a pre-race spill Sept. 9 at Laurel Park.

Russell, 34, got the news Monday after visiting Dr. Jacob Wisbeck, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle injuries, at MedStar Health in Timonium, Md. Russell said a date for surgery won’t be determined before a follow-up visit Sept. 20.

Jalen Journey Making Trip to Laurel for De Francis Dash (G3)

09/12/2021

G1-Placed 6-Year-Old Works Sunday for $200,000 Sprint Sept. 18
Rainbow 6, Late Pick 5 Carryovers for Friday, Sept. 17 Program

LAUREL, MD – A three-furlong blowout Sunday morning put the finishing touches on Grade 1-placed Jalen Journey’s preparations for the $200,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (G3) Sept. 18 at Laurel Park.