LAUREL, MD. 02-07-13---Saturday’s $125,000 Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel Park has attracted eight 3-year-olds, including three stakes winners.

Vegas No Show has been tabbed the 7-5 morning line favorite in the one mile test.  The son of Hard Spun has tested stakes company in his last five outings, with a win in the Dover Stakes at Delaware Park and a runner-up finish in the Nashua Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct. The Kelly Breen trainee posted a bullet workout at Belmont Park at the end of January and will carry Jeremy Rose for the first time.

Alpha Mike Foxtrot (7-2) has earned checks in each of his four stakes appearances, including a win in the Maryland Juvenile Championship and seconds in the Maryland Million Nursery and Frank Whiteley Stakes, his most recent start. Jozbin Santana will be coming in from Gulfstream Park to ride for trainer Dickie Small. Santana was based in Maryland from 1998-2008 and rode first call for Small for a number of years.

Small will also start Dynamic Strike (9-2), who has rattled off wins in his past two starts, a maiden score in November and a driving victory over optional claiming company on January 24. Forrest Boyce retains the mount.

“He is a cool horse and each time he is getting better,” Boyce said. “He is still immature and hasn’t quite figured it out yet.”

Boyce has been aboard Alpha Mike Foxtrot in his six previous starts, including a victory in the Maryland Juvenile Championship and on the board finishes in three other stakes races.

“Dickie and the owners made the decision so I didn’t have to choose,” added Boyce. “I think he (Alpha Mike Foxtrot) is also really improving. I love him. He gives you everything he’s got each time. He does not leave anything left in the tank. The funny thing is the day after he runs, when I go by his stall he is knocked out. I think both have really good shots at winning.”

West Hills Giant (8-1) became a stakes winner after capturing the New York Breeders’ Futurity at Finger Lakes last fall. The New York bred, who is trained by John Terranova, has been absent since tiring to last in the Pilgrim Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park in October. Abel Castellano has the riding assignment.

Where Dominic (8-1) has won two-of-three starts for trainer Mike Trombetta, including an allowance score here on January 16. Julian Pimentel will be aboard the son of Midnight Lute for the fourth consecutive start.

Lunar Rock (10-1) has nine in the money finishes in 10 career starts, including three third place finishes in stakes races. The Dale Capuano runner will have the riding services of Sheldon Russell.

Hanky Doodle (12-1) has four consecutive second place finishes, including a runner-up finish to Alpha Mike Foxtrot in the Maryland Juvenile Championship. The Gary Capuano trainee will carry J.D. Acosta.

Yougotthatgoinforu (20-1) comes into the Miracle Wood off an allowance victory at Penn National in December. Emilio Flores will ride for trainer Michael Rogers.

APPRENTICE RIDERS DOMINATE THURSDAY CARD

Maryland-based jockeys have captured nine of the 42 Eclipse Awards for Outstanding Apprentice. This afternoon at Laurel Park, a pair of bug riders won five of the nine races.

Trevor McCarthy rode three consecutive winners, scoring with Royale Harbor ($9.80-5^th), Buttertart ($7.60-6^th) and Go Allie ($9.60-7^th). The first and third were for King Leatherbury, who now has 6,363 victories, third on the all-time list.

Yomar Ortiz reached the winners’ circle in back-to-back races earlier on the card with Who Dat Boy ($14.60-2^nd) and Halo Hollie ($2.80-3^rd).

Ortiz leads the rider standings with 24 victories, one more than Sheldon Russell. McCarthy ranks third with 16 first place finishes.

About Laurel Park

Laurel Park is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida and is one of North America's top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world's largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; Xpressbet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a major producer of televised horse racing programming through its HRTV cable and satellite network and is North America's premier supplier of virtual online horse racing games, as well as a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.