Laurel Park

On Tuesday--just two weeks after two horses died on Laurel Park's dirt surface and not even 24 hours after Laurel announced its track superintendent would be retiring immediately--the head of the new non-profit organization that will run both Laurel and Pimlico Race Course starting in 2025 told the Maryland Racing Commission that an immediate search is underway for an expert to quell the main-track woes that have intermittently plagued Laurel the past two decades. "We will obviously do a search nationwide for a winter-weather superintendent. It's a very important position....

A license transfer that is needed for a new, non-profit group to take over the running of Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course starting on the first of the year got pushed off the agenda at Tuesday's Maryland Racing Commission meeting because of concerns over the lack of documentation for how the incoming entity will meet an estimated $6-million budget shortfall for 2025. But executives from the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA), which is facilitating the state-approved change of control of the two tracks from 1/ST Racing (The Stronach...

With further evaluation of the racing surface still ongoing, racing at Laurel Park this weekend has been canceled, the Maryland Jockey Club announced Friday. Laurel also canceled Friday's card before the opener after speaking with jockeys regarding main track safety concerns following overnight snow and afternoon rain. Nine races were scheduled for Saturday including a trio of $100,000 stakes, and eight races were scheduled for Sunday at Laurel. Laurel will remain open during its normal morning training hours for galloping and jogging. The 6 1/2-furlong Willa On the Move, the...

7th-Laurel, $48,305, Msw, 11-16, 2yo, 6f, 1:11.43, ft, 1 length. YARA'S QUEST (c, 2, Liam's Map--Yara {GSW, $398,390}, by Put It Back), given a 4-1 chance in this debut run, was hustled to the front from his inside draw and raced under pressure through an opening quarter in :22.64. Overtaken approaching the quarter pole and appearing to be heading the wrong way, Yara's Quest was resurgent along the rail in the stretch and battled back gamely to record a one-length victory over On the Level (Classic Empire). The winner is...

Horses owned by their breeders swept all eight of the stakes on the 39th annual Jim McKay Maryland Million program Saturday at Laurel Park. Brilliant Ice, a 5-year-old gelding owned and bred by Crystal Park Stables, marched up on the outside from mid-pack, then slipped through at the rail to seize the lead at the head of the lane before drawing away to a 5 1/4-length victory in the featured $150,000 Classic S. at 1 1/8 miles. The 5-1 win by Brilliant Ice represented the second Maryland Million stakes score...

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be on site at Laurel Park for the Jim McKay Maryland Million Day card Saturday. The organization will have a race on the card named in its honor and will host the winners of the 2024 VIP Maryland Million experience from the "Off to the Races" online benefit auction. Generously donated by 1/ST RACING and the Hotel at Arundel Preserve, the experience will include a clubhouse table for four at the track and a two-night stay at the Hotel at Arundel Preserve. "The Maryland Jockey Club...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of New Century at Woodbine on Saturday. Kameko Reaches Milestone Top-Level Winner In The Great White North Qatar Racing's New Century (GB) (Kameko) made his North American debut in style, running out a 1 1/4-length winner of the GI Summer Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday (video) for trainer Andrew Balding. Bred by the Potent Embrace Partnership, the dark bay is a half-brother to G3...

Delaware Park has cancelled the live racing card scheduled for Friday, Aug. 9 due to the expected impact from the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby. Live racing is scheduled to resume on Saturday, Aug. 10. Laurel Park has also decided to cancel its nine-race card Friday. Both tracks are expected to resume racing Saturday, Aug. 10. For more info., click here for Delaware Park and here for Laurel Park.  

It was 9 p.m., several hours after the GI Preakness S. last Saturday, when Maryland Jockey Club (MJC) outrider Kaymarie Kreidel was basking in the glow of having escorted Seize the Grey (Arrogate) to the winner's circle after his triumph in the second jewel of the Triple Crown. Kreidel, 52, has worked as an outrider since retiring from being a jockey in 2006. She first started part-time in that job during morning training at Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park, then about nine years ago landed the full-time outriding gig...

Five-pound apprentice J.G. Torrealba, riding in his first full meet in Maryland, won twice on Sunday's closing day card to capture his first career riding title at Laurel Park, while Kieron Magee defended his crown as the meet's leading trainer. Magee was winless with two seconds from four starters on Sunday's program, but held on to earn his second straight spring meet title, 11-10, over Jerry Robb, who had one winner in Sunday's opener. Over the 15-day spring meet, Magee won at least one race nine times, taking over the...

1st-LRL, $47K, Msw, 3-5yo, 6f, 12:25 p.m. ET. Three-year-old WRIGHTSVILLE (Candy Ride {Arg}) was initially purchased by Brady Bloodstock for $300,000 at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale. Then, the dark bay was taken home by SF, Starlight and Madaket at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $610,000, which was the top price for his sire's offspring that year. Out of an unraced dam, the Brittany Russell trainee counts as a half-brother GSW Durante (Distorted Humor). TJCIS PPS

Jockey Jevian Toledo is expected to be out of action until late June after having minor surgery to repair his collarbone, while rider J.G. Torrealba will return to action Friday, five days after they were involved in a spill at Laurel Park. Toledo was injured during Sunday's fourth race after being unseated when his mount, Jackie A, tripped over Torrealba and Bourbon and Ice, who had stumbled when in tight quarters at the top of the stretch and fell. Both horses walked off the track. One shy of 1,600 career...