Nine Live Races Thursday, Early Post & Holiday Pie Giveaway
Five Stakes Worth $450,000 in Purses Over Friday and Saturday

LAUREL, MD – The Maryland Jockey Club will serve up nine live races, a special holiday buffet and the eagerly awaited pie giveaway on its traditional Thanksgiving Day program Thursday at Laurel Park.

Laurel will open the doors at 10 a.m. with a special 11:25 a.m. first post. Race 3 is a maiden special weight for fillies and mares age 3-5 sprinting seven furlongs that drew a field of eight including a pair of sophomores racing first time for Maryland’s leading trainer, Brittany Russell. Repole Stable’s Vivid Dreams, formerly with Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, is winless in three starts this year with one second and one third. Jeff Drown and Michael Ryan’s Humbling is making just his second start and first since last October at Keeneland when he was trained by Brendan Walsh.

A second-level optional claiming allowance for 3-year-olds and up going seven furlongs in Race 7 features 2022 Maryland Million Classic winner Monday Morning Qb, stakes-placed Going to the Lead and last-out winners Supreme Law, North Highland and Sumo, the latter chasing a third straight victory.

Thursday’s co-feature comes in Race 8, a second-level optional claiming allowance for 3-year-olds and up sprinting 5 ½ furlongs. Russell saddles 3-year-old Bernardini colt Childers off a nose victory over elders going six furlongs on the grass Oct. 27 at Laurel, while trainer Kieron Magee will send out Brother Conway, first or second in all six of his races this year including back-to-back wins.

Continuing a tradition that dates back to 1986, the MJC will once again be handing out family-sized pumpkin or apple pies until 4:30 p.m. at the grandstand entrance with purchase of a racing program, while supplies last. Pies are limited to two per person. Free donuts, coffee, cider and hot chocolate will also be available from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the grandstand and clubhouse entrances.

In addition to simulcasting, apple and sweet potato pies will be distributed at historic Pimlico Race Course until 2 p.m. at the main entrance with purchase of a racing program, while supplies last.

A special Thanksgiving buffet for $73 per person that includes tax and service charge will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Laurel’s Terrace Dining Room. To view the menu or make a reservation, click here.

The action continues Friday with nine live races including the first two of five stakes worth $450,000 in purses over Thanksgiving weekend – the $75,000 Howard and Sondra Bender Memorial and $75,000 Politely for Maryland-bred/sired 3-year-olds and up, the latter for fillies and mares.

Laurel returns with nine live races Saturday, Nov. 26 including a trio of open stakes – the $100,000 Richard W. Small for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles and the $100,000 City of Laurel for 3-year-olds and $100,000 Safely Kept for 3-year-old fillies, each sprinting seven furlongs.

Thanksgiving weekend concludes with a live eight-race program Sunday. Post time Friday through Sunday is 12:25 p.m.