Russell Wins 1,000th Race at Aqueduct

Russell Wins 1,000th Race at Aqueduct

Laurel Reschedules Private Terms and Caesar’s Wish to March 21

LAUREL, MD., 03/07/15 – Maryland-based jockey Sheldon Russell won the 1,000th race of his career Saturday in style by guiding Shayjolie to victory in the $100,000 Cat Cay Stakes at Aqueduct.

The leading rider at all three Maryland meets in 2011 and ranked 59th in earnings in 2014, Russell won the Cat Cay by three-quarters of a length for Peachtree Stable and trainer Gary Contessa.

Born in Bossier City, Louisiana, Russell was raised in South Africa and rode his first race at Wolverhampton, England when he was 18. After riding in approximately 60 races in England, Russell came to the U.S. to become an exercise rider at the Maryland farm of trainer Michael Dickinson.

“It’s a great achievement, considering all the injuries and broken bones along the journey,” said Russell last weekend when approaching the milestone. “It’s a huge milestone.”

Watch a video of Russell talking about his career and milestone at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im-WOSZ6UcI&feature=youtu.be
 

Laurel Reschedules Private Terms and Caesar’s Wish  

Due to harsh winter weather, Laurel Park announced today it will reschedule the Private Terms Stakes and Caesar’s Wish Stakes from Saturday, March 14 to Saturday, March 21.

The Private Terms, for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 mile, drew 24 nominations including My Meadowview Farm’s Lehigh Five, Harvey Clarke’s and Paul Braverman’s Lieutenant Colonel, WinStar Farm’s Net Gain, and Repole Stable’s Dontbetwithbruno.

The Caesar’s Wish, for 3-year-old fillies at a mile, attracted 30 nominations including Catcha Rising Star from the barn of Graham Motion, Alliteration and Delightful Joy from the Chad Brown stable, and Overprepared, trained by Todd Pletcher.

Along with the Private Terms and Caesar’s Wish, Laurel will also play host on Saturday, March 21 to the Harrison Johnson Memorial Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 mile and the Conniver Stakes for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, at seven furlongs.