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Photo Credit: Jim McCue/MJC
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LAUREL, MD. 03-28-08---Laurel Park added turf racing to the mix for the first time this year starting with today’s seventh race, an allowance test for older horses. A field of eight sprinted 5-1/2 furlongs over the firm going and Blue Sailor galloped to a three length victory.
Ridden by Horacio Karamanos for trainer Howard Wolfendale, Blue Sailor completed the distance in 1:02.83. Grey Goose Kid took second and post time favorite Ready To Blaze finished third. Blue Sailor, a 4-year-old gelded son of Northern Afleet, paid $6.40. Claimed for $15,000 here last August, the winner has carried Karamanos in all of his starts since entering the Wolfendale barn, winning twice and placing twice for his new connections.
“I was crossing my fingers that it didn’t rain,” said Karamanos, the top grass rider in the jockey colony. “This horse is very good on the turf and he ran really well today.”
DIVINE PARK UNLIKELY FOR SATURDAY’S HARRISON JOHNSON
As expected the connections of New York-based Divine Park, the morning line favorite for Saturday’s Harrison Johnson Handicap at Laurel Park, opted to run in an allowance race at Aqueduct Friday. The four-year-old colt responded with an impressive victory as a prohibitive choice. The $80,000 Johnson will now feature five local horses: multiple stakes winner Forty Crowns, recent allowance winners Kaufy Big Shot, Eddie C. and Arcata and the consistent Saratoga Lulaby.
CASTILLO AND RUSSELL ON THE MEND
Jockeys Oliver Castillo and Sheldon Russell, who were injured in separate spills March 22, have begun the process of returning to the saddle. Castillo, who shattered his right elbow, began physical therapy Thursday and hopes to return sooner than the projected four months. Russell had successful surgery on his back Thursday afternoon. The 20-year-old is expected to miss four to six months.
-MJC-