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Greenspring
Photo Credit: Jim McCue/MJC
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LAUREL, MD. 10-30-09---Our Chelsea Stable’s Greenspring is a star in the making after delivering a powerful performance in today’s $34,000 feature at Laurel Park. The Chris Grove trained colt, now four for five lifetime, charged to the lead in mid-stretch and won off by 4-1/2 lengths in 1:09.49 for the six- furlong distance over the fast main track.
“He broke sharp but I saw the two Scott Lake horses (Black and Amber and Scotchontherocks) battle for the lead so I took back,” said J.D. Acosta, who rode the son of Orientate. “I wanted to wait until the rail opened but I didn’t want to get stuck behind a tiring horse so I put him in the clear. As soon as we went outside he took off and I just hand rode him to the finish line.”
Grove nominated Greenspring to last weekend’s Grade 1 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash but decided not to run against winner Vineyard Haven and seven other top sprinters. His colt will conclude his four-year-old campaign in the Grade 3 Fall Highweight at Aqueduct on Thanksgiving day.
“I know he is the kind who could take on those kinds of horses down the line,” Grove said. “This horse is a freak.”
Greenspring paid $5.60. Cave’s Valley finished second. Scotchontherocks was third.
HOMEISTER RIDES NATURAL TRIPLE ON FRIDAY CARD
One day after Clinton Potts won four races, jockey Rosemary Homeister rode a natural triple at Laurel Park, winning the third (Zurs-$34.80), fourth (Sunday in Malibu-$17.60) and fifth (Mississippi Storm-$14) races on the card. The 37-year-old ranks fifth in the fall riding standings with 17 wins, four fewer than Erick Rodriguez. Apprentice riders Joshua Navarro (20) and Josean Ramirez (19) rank second and third in the standings with veteran Luis Garcia (18) in the fourth spot.
POST TIME CHANGE BEGINS WEDNESDAY
Starting Wednesday Nov. 4, first post for live racing at Laurel Park will fall back to 12:35 p.m. to compensate for the end of Daylight Savings Time. Racing will be conducted Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday through Dec. 19 and includes live action on Thanksgiving Day, with a special 11:05 a.m. post.
BREEDERS’ CUP DAYS START EARLY
The gates to Laurel Park and its sister track, Pimlico Race Course, will open at 11 a.m. on Friday Nov. 6 and 10:30 a.m. on Saturday Nov. 7 for fans interested in wagering on the Breeders’ Cup Championships from Santa Anita Park. Friday is also Ladies Day at Laurel Park, with free admission and program, free drawings and mixed drink specials.
-MJC-