Racing News

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.

De Francis (G3) Next Stop for 'Craig' Following Saturday Breeze

09/11/2021

Six-Furlong Sprint Headlines Four Stakes Worth $500,000 Sept. 18
Favored Matta Sprints to Saturday Feature Triumph on Turf

LAUREL, MD – It’s on to the $200,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (G3) for newly minted stakes winner Wondrwherecraigis, who tuned up for his return to graded competition with an easy half-mile breeze Saturday morning at Laurel Park.

Stronach Returns and Rewards Three Bettors with a $24,266 Payoff

09/10/2021

LAUREL, MD – The Stronach 5 returned Friday after a five-month break and there were three winning tickets each worth $24,266.70.

Once again, the Stronach 5 continues to show a strong return on investment with two favorites winning and the longest shot returning $21.60.

Foot Injury Sidelines Multiple Meet Champion Rider Russell

09/10/2021

Home Brew Unleashes Late Kick to Capture Career Debut Friday

LAUREL, MD – Champion jockey Sheldon Russell, ranked second by wins among Maryland riders this year, will be out indefinitely with a foot injury suffered during Thursday’s opening day program finale at Laurel Park.

Russell, 34, was hurt after being dropped by Little Bit of That, a 2-year-old Maryland-bred filly trained by his wife, Brittany Russell, when the daughter of Great Notion reared in the post parade.

Maryland Million on Radar for Stakes Winner Cynergy's Star

09/09/2021

Frosty Brew, Kit Keller Make Winning Debuts

LAUREL, MD – Bonuccelli Racing’s Cynergy’s Star, front-running winner of the Timonium Juvenile Aug. 29 to cap a busy slate of three races in 27 days, will get a breather before being pointed to the 36th Jim McKay Maryland Million program Oct. 23 at Laurel Park.