Racing News

Luna Belle Facing Biggest Test in $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan (G2)

05/16/2022

98th Running of 3-Year-Old Filly Stakes Tops Friday, May 20 Program
13-Horse Field is Largest for Race in Nearly Three Decades

LAUREL, MD – Undefeated through four starts this year and a winner of five consecutive stakes dating back before Christmas, Luna Belle will be tested like never before facing 10 shippers among the largest field in nearly three decades for Friday’s $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan (G2) at historic Pimlico Race Course.

Epicenter Breezes for Saturday’s 147 Preakness

05/16/2022

Oaks Winner Secret Oath, Lukas Enroute to Pimlico
Fenwick Last-Minute Entry for Preakness

LAUREL, MD – Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Epicenter, the Kentucky Derby (G1) runner-up and expected favorite for Saturday’s Preakness Stakes (G1), breezed an easy half-mile in 50 2/5 seconds early Monday morning at Churchill Downs, a textbook workout for a Steve Asmussen-trained horse five days before a race.

Un Ojo Out of Preakness

05/16/2022

LAUREL, MD - Un Ojo will not enter in the Preakness Stakes (G1) after the foot bruise that kept the one-eyed gelding out of the Kentucky Derby flared back up.

“This morning his foot was a little warm again,” Louisiana-based trainer Ricky Courville said Monday morning by phone. “The vets went over him, and he’s not 100 percent. I’m dealing with the same thing. I guess the work kind of re-aggravated it.”

Exotic West Seeks Graded Success in $150,000 Allaire du Pont (G3)

05/15/2022

Among Six Stakes, Four Graded, Worth $1.05 Million in Purses May 20

Pizza Bianca Looks to Return to Winning Ways in $100,000 Hilltop

05/15/2022

Evenly-Matched Field of 11 to Contest $100,000 The Very One

LAUREL, MD – Bobby Flay’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Filly Turf (G1) winner from last year Pizza Bianca will headline the 50th running of the one-mile $100,000 Hilltop Stakes Friday at historic Pimlico Race Course.

Wesley Ward Aims for Second Straight Win in Miss Preakness (G3)

05/15/2022

Happy Soul Faces Seven Rivals in $150,000 Dash for 3-Year-Old Fillies

LAUREL, MD – Trainer Wesley Ward won last year’s Miss Preakness (G3) with a blossoming filly that was light on credentials, Red Ghost. He’s hoping to win the race a second straight year with another – Gayla Rankin’s Happy Soul – that brings a more imposing resume.

Shake Em Loose Works on Turf Sunday, Will Skip Preakness (G1)

05/15/2022

Sophomore Gelding Set to Run in $100,000 James W. Murphy on Grass

LAUREL, MD – It’s back to the grass for J R Sanchez Racing Stable’s Shake Em Loose after the claimer-turned-multiple stakes winner on dirt breezed over Laurel Park’s world-class turf course Sunday morning.

Working in company with 6-year-old stakes-winning mare Can the Queen, Shake Em Loose and his partner were timed in 51.20 seconds over the yielding course, with Shake Em Loose and jockey Jevian Toledo galloping out five furlongs in 1:03.

First Captain Seeks Rebound in $300,000 Pimlico Special (G3)

05/15/2022

Shares Spotlight with $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan (G2) May 20
Among Six Stakes, Four Graded, Worth $1.05 Million in Purses

LAUREL, MD – Grade 3 winner First Captain, exiting the first off-the-board finish of his career, will get an opportunity to rebound as well as give Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey his first victory in the historic $300,000 Pimlico Special (G3) Friday at Pimlico Race Course.

Epicenter ‘Pretty Sharp’ for Saturday’s 147th Preakness

05/15/2022

Creative Minister, Not Epicenter Sports Winchell Bloodlines
‘Oath’ Owner: ‘We’ll Step Outside the Box within Reason’

Beyond the Wire Earns Special Award of Merit

05/15/2022

To Be Recognized During Alibi Breakfast May 19

LAUREL, MD – Beyond the Wire, a Maryland-based Thoroughbred aftercare program that recently celebrated retiring its 500th horse, has been selected to receive the 2022 Special Award of Merit.

Guided in its day-to-day operations by program administrator Jessica Hammond, Beyond the Wire will be presented with the Special Award of Merit Thursday, May 19 during the Alibi Breakfast at historic Pimlico Race Course.